Some summer cocktails instantly make you feel like you’re away, even if you’re only sitting in your backyard with the windows open and music playing softly in the background.
And while elaborate cocktails certainly have their place, they can feel a little bothersome when all you really want is something cold in your hand and nowhere else to be.
This week’s Friday Edit is all about summer flavours, fresh ingredients, and cocktails that feel elevated without being complicated. Think citrus, coconut, herbs, sparkling wine, and plenty of ice… drinks designed to make summer feel a little lighter, and more memorable.
Serve them ice cold with salty snacks, fresh fruit, and nowhere else to be.
Pineapple Coconut Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz Malibu Coconut Rum Liqueur (or coconut flavoured vodka if prefered)
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz soda water
- 3 oz Prosecco
- Pineapple wedge and leaves, for garnish
Directions
In a Collins glass filled with cubed ice, combine pineapple juice, Malibu or vodka, and lemon juice. Stir gently to chill. Top with soda water and Prosecco. Garnish with pineapple wedge and fresh leaves.
Light, tropical, and made for slow summer evenings.
Tastses Like: Hawaii
A guide to coastal living, wherever you are.
Lemon Basil Spritz
Ingredients
- 1 oz limoncello
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz soda water
- Fresh basil leaves
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Directions
Add basil leaves to a wine glass and gently press to release their oils. Fill with ice. Add limoncello and lemon juice. Top with Prosecco and soda water. Garnish with basil and lemon.
Tastes like: summer in Italy.
Strawberry Rosé Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz rosé wine
- 1 oz strawberry purée
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 oz Prosecco
- Splash soda water
- Strawberry & mint garnish
Optional: Toss in a few sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
Directions
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add rosé, strawberry purée, and lemon juice. Stir gently. Top with Prosecco and soda water. Garnish with fresh strawberry and mint.
Tastes like: a garden party at golden hour.
Blood Orange Spritz
Ingredients
- 2 oz blood orange juice
- 1 oz Aperol
- 3 oz Prosecco
- Splash soda water (optional)
- Blood orange wheel garnish
Directions
Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add blood orange juice and Aperol. Top with Prosecco and soda water. Garnish with a blood orange slice.
Tastes like: an Italian summer vacation.
Lavender Honey Spritz
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- ½ oz lavender syrup
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 3 oz Prosecco
- 1 oz soda water (optional)
- Lemon wheel
- Fresh lavender sprig
Directions
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add Empress gin, lavender syrup, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Stir gently. Top with Prosecco and/or soda water. Garnish with a lavender sprig and lemon wheel.
Tastes like: a summer garden in bloom.
Homemade Lavender Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp culinary dried lavender buds
Directions
- Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Add the lavender buds and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Remove from heat and allow to steep for 20–30 minutes, depending on how strong you’d like the lavender flavour.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard the lavender.
- Allow to cool completely before using.
Store in an airtight jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
As much as we love a good recipe, summer has never really been about the cocktail itself. It’s about the conversations that linger long after dinner, the glow of string lights overhead, and the simple pleasure of being outdoors with people you love. These are the moments we remember long after the season has passed.
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