Must Mix: Memorial Day Cocktails

How is it already Memorial Day weekend? We are asking ourselves the same question.

The end of May and Memorial Day weekend means one thing: it’s the unofficial start of summer. There’s no better way to kick off the beginning of the warm weather than with a refreshing cocktail. We have put together a list of drinks that will make this holiday one to remember.

Remember to take time this weekend to appreciate those who have fought and fallen for our country. Celebrate this important holiday with friends and family for backyard BBQs and hanging by the pool. Mix up one of these delicious cocktails and enjoy that three-day weekend.

Strawberry Basil Smash

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. ABERFELDY 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• 3-5 Strawberries
• 3 Basil Leaves
• 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

Preparation: Shake all ingredients, pour over fresh ice and rock glass. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.

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John Collins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 1 part Lemon Juice
• 1/2 part Simple Syrup
• 2 parts Club Soda
• Maraschino Cherry
• Orange Slice

Preparation: Pour the bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Stir thoroughly. Top with club soda. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

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DeLeón Reposado Blood Orange Paloma

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. DeLeón Reposado Tequila
• 3/4 oz. Agave Nectar Syrup
• 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Blood Orange Juice
• 1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Splash: Topo Chico Sparkling Water

Garnish: Pink Himalayan Salt Rim, Dried Blood Orange & Dried Lime Wheels

Preparation: Rim glass with Pink Himalayan Salt and fill with ice. Add DeLeón Reposado, agave nectar syrup, blood orange, grapefruit, and lime juices into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into glass. Top with a splash of Topo Chico. Garnish with a dried blood orange and lime wheel.

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Frisky Rabbit

Cocktail from Jose Romero

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin
• 2 oz. Carrot Juice
• 1 oz. Yuzu
• 1 oz. Aperol Infused Syrup with Orange (prepped beforehand)
• 1/2 Egg White

Garnish: Carrot Slice with Marigold Flowers/Cilantro

Preparation: Place all ingredients in tin, dry shake, ice shake, and serve in a tall glass. Fresh carrot juice works best.

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The Unicorn

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Ketel One Botanicals Cucumber Mint vodka
• 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
• 4-5 Mint Sprigs

Preparation: Combine all ingredients and shake, strain over fresh ice, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon slice.

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Blue Sky Smash

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Whiskey
• 1/2 oz. Blue Curaçao
• 3 Lemon Wedges Muddled
• 6 Blueberries Muddled
• 6 oz. Lipton Diet Mixed Berry Green Tea Blueberries and Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Garnishes

• Blueberries
• Pomegranate Seeds
• Mint Sprig (optional)

Preparation: Muddle 3 lemon slices in a tin. Add whiskey, Blue Curaçao, blueberries and Lipton Diet Mixed Berry Green Tea, add ice. Shake and fine strain over a large ice cube garnish with blueberries and pomegranate seeds.