Wherever you are in the world, you’re bound to need a cocktail, so here are 10 recipes you can make at home this July.
While your favorite bar may be adept at making an Espresso Martini or Negroni, you can also experiment at your own bar. This month’s recipe collection focuses on classic cocktails with a twist that’s a little different from your usual libation.
From a White Negroni to a Salted Honey Lavender Espresso Martini to a Bloody Maria made with Cascabel Tequila, these cocktail recipes are sure to keep you busy for the rest of July.
Check out our May and June roundups for more recipes.
Do you have a cocktail recipe you’d like to see featured in next month’s roundup? Email us at info@thespiritsbusiness.com
This refreshing tequila recipe will quench your thirst in no time, but make sure you can handle the heat (the watermelon garnish helps in that regard).
material:
- Casamigas Jalapeno Tequila 42ml
- 28ml fresh watermelon juice
- 14ml fresh lime juice
- 14ml simple syrup
- 8 to 10 mint leaves
- 1 drop of Scrappy Firewater Bitters or 1 jalapeño slice
- Add equal amounts of salt, sugar and tuna to the edge of half the thickness.
- Optional: 4 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters (for color)
- Garnish: watermelon slice with rind and mint sprigs
Method: Moisten half the rim of a rocks glass with a lime slice or wedge and dip into the salt mixture. Combine all ingredients in a tin shaker. Mash the mint (and jalapeño, if using). Add ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a rimmed rocks glass. Add fresh ice and garnish.
Celebrate American Independence Day on July 4th with food that matches Koloa’s colorful barbecue, complete with red, white and blue.
material:
- A little bit of blue spirulina
- A bar spoonful of water
- Koloa Kauai White Rum 42ml
- 28ml Campari
- 7ml grenadine
- 55-85ml limeade
- Strawberries and blueberries for garnish
- * Decorate with star-shaped apple slices and edible glitter
Method: Place the Blue Spirulina in a glass and dissolve it with a bar spoon of water. Add the rum, stir and set aside. Add the Campari and grenadine to the bottom of a tall glass, stir to combine and fill the glass with ice. Gently pour the Limeade into the glass, until it is about 1 inch below the rim of the glass. Float the Blue Rum through a fine strainer to remove any undissolved Spirulina. Garnish with strawberries and blueberries.
The sweetness of Langley’s Old Tom Style Gin pairs surprisingly well with a Martinez — serve it at your next dinner party and it might even outshines the food.
material:
- Langlais Old Tom Gin 50ml
- 25ml sweet vermouth
- 10ml Maraschino
- 1 dash aromatic bitters
Method: Add ice to a cocktail shaker and add the gin, vermouth, maraschino and bitters. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a squeeze of orange zest or an Amarena cherry.
Tequila’s answer to the Bloody Mary, it’s perfect with breakfast or on its own as a breakfast drink.
material:
- Cascabel Blanco 50ml
- 25ml lime juice
- 150ml high quality tomato juice
- 10ml agave syrup
- 3 drops Worcestershire sauce
- 3 drops Tabasco
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and mix well with ice. Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a shaker, add ice and gently roll the shaker. (Never shake a Bloody Maria.)
Knowing how to make a good Old Fashioned is a life hack, and Woodford Reserve’s recipe stays true to that tradition.
material:
- 2 parts straight bourbon whiskey
- 1/2 part demerara syrup
- 3 Dash Woodford Reserve
- Aromatic Bitters
- 2 dashes of Woodford Reserve Orange Bitters
Method: Add ingredients to a mixing glass. Add ice to mixing glass and serving glass. Stir ingredients for 30-40 seconds and strain into a serving glass. Garnish with a light squeeze of orange zest.
Love the Negroni but not Campari? Or hate the color red? Make a white version of the Italian drink using Suze liqueur instead.
material:
- 50ml Jawbox Small Batch Gin
- Sue’s liqueur 25ml
- 25ml Bran Vermouth
Method: Pour all ingredients into a glass with ice and stir. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Mexico’s signature drink is tart, sweet, simple and refreshing — in other words, perfect for summer.
material:
- El Rayo Reposado 40ml
- 30ml pink grapefruit juice
- 10ml lime juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- Grapefruit Soda
Method: Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice, top with grapefruit soda, and garnish with a fresh grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.
Black’s riff on the espresso martini adds a floral element to the wildly popular coffee cocktail.
material:
- Aviation Gin 30ml
- Mr. Black 30ml
- 30ml cold brew concentrate
- 15ml honey syrup (honey 2:1)
- 5ml lavender bitters (approximately 2 drops)
- Salted honey cold foam (as much as you like)
Method: Shake the first 5 ingredients and strain through a double strainer into a chilled coupe glass. Gently float the chilled foam on top of the cocktail and garnish with dried lavender and flaky salt.
July 10th is Piña Colada Day, the day to transform your lounge into a tropical oasis and sip on a few piña coladas made with Don Q’s premium Puerto Rican rum.
material:
- Don Q Gold Rum 50ml
- 33ml pineapple juice
- 21 Coco Lopez Coconut Cream
- A dash of Angostura bitters
Method: Whisk ingredients with half a scoop of cubed ice until light and foamy – the mixture should be nice and foamy but not too thick. Strain into a tulip glass and garnish with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.
Palomas are trendy right now, but this recipe is for those who want to drink it alcohol-free. Perfect for getting through Dry July.
material:
- Everleaf Marine 50ml
- Pink grapefruit soda 150ml
- Grapefruit for garnish
Method: Fill a glass with ice, pour in Everleaf Marine, top with grapefruit soda, garnish with grapefruit, and add salt to the rim of the glass, if desired.