Photo: Adobe
Enjoy relaxing with your guests, sipping a cold, refreshing cocktail with them rather than spending time mixing individual drinks. It’s easy to make any of your favorite cocktails in party-size portions, but it’s summer, and when it’s hot, who wants to think of math calculations? So, I’ve done that for you.
Here are a few ideas that will also pair deliciously with your summer cookout fare—especially grilled chicken, pork, and shrimp, as well as pulled pork sandwiches and cool main-meal salads. If steak is on your menu, mix up the Bourbon Lemonade. Adjust mixers and sweeteners to your taste.
Mojito
Makes about 8 servings
About 70 mint leaves
16 ounces (2 cups) white rum
4 ounces (½ cup) fresh lime juice
4 ounces (½ cup) simple syrup
3 to 4 cups club soda, to taste
Lime wedges, for garnish
Gently muddle mint leaves in the bottom of your pitcher. Add the rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and stir. Then add the club soda to taste and stir gently. Pour over ice in each serving glass, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Note: If you want to make this ahead, cover and refrigerate, leaving out the club soda until just before serving.
Skinny Margarita
Makes about 8 servings
16 ounces (2 cups) silver tequila
4 ounces (½ cup) fresh lime juice
4 ounces (½ cup) fresh orange juice
1/3 cup light agave nectar
Lime wedges, for garnish
Mix tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, and light agave nectar in a pitcher and stir. Use a lime wedge to moisten half of each glass rim and dip in salt, if desired. Pour each serving over ice in the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
Bourbon Lemonade
Makes about 8 servings
16 ounces (2 cups) bourbon whiskey
8 ounces (1 cup) simple syrup
32 ounces (4 cups) lemon juice
Lemon slices and mint leaves, for garnish
Pour bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice into a pitcher and stir to mix. To serve, fill each lowball glass with ice cubes, pour in the cocktail mixture, and garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.
Photo Terry Brennan, Food Styling Lara Miklasevics
Thirsty for More?
Check out this post for Pitcher-Perfect Cocktail Recipes including white-wine sangria and batches of three-ingredient cocktails to make entertaining easy.
