Oh man- it’s hot outside and I’m so glad it’s Friday! Today I’m linking up for the Friday Five with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia. Make sure you check out their awesome blogs as well as those who join the link up.
This weekend is supposed to top 90F here in the Washington, DC area. It’s clearly time for some pool/park/porch sitting. A friend and I have the Washington, DC Drink Passport again this summer, which encourages us to try new bars, restaurants, neighborhoods and drinks. Here are my five summer go-tos, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Rose wine:
Washington Rose
Also dubbed thinking wine. I prefer the drier roses, made from merlot or pinot noir grapes. Chill it, and it’s great for an afternoon or evening when you still want to read, write, grill.
Infused water:
As much as I love water and know that hydration is important, sometimes it gets boring. Personally, adding lemon, lime, basil or berries gives it that taste that make me want to keep on drinking my H2O.
http://dish.allrecipes.com/fresh-ideas-for-making-infused-water/
Pimm’s Cup:
These scream English summer, punting along a river, picnics in the shade. The basic recipe is Pimm’s No. 1, lemon seltzer or ginger ale, cut veggies/fruit. Most bottles of Pimm’s No. 1 have a recipe on the back. Personally, I’m a fan of cucumber and a berry or two. Pimm’s is gin-based and very herbacious, but the seltzer cuts it and makes it a great summer drink.
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pimms-cup-2
Half & Half :
It’s an equal mix of lemonade and iced tea. Not too sweet, not too bitter. Also known as an Arnold Palmer. I like mine with ice and well-mixed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer_%28drink%29
Caipirinha:
Oh, these are so good. Cachaca, which is a Brazilian liquor, made from sugarcane, is mixed with lime and simple syrup. I like mine particularly lime-y, so I’ll muddle/mash half of a lime (cut into 4 pieces) in the bottom of my glass first. Then I’ll add the syrup and cachaca and give it a quick stir. I tend to put the ice in last and stir again, just so I can see the proportions correctly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caipirinha
I’m also a fan to this older New York Times article for new ideas of summer drinks: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/06/22/dining/20110622-summer-drink-recipes.html. Enjoy your summer beverages in the sun!
Nice list! I don’t know a thing about wine, but I do love a good cocktail! I need to try some infused water, it’s so refreshing!
Thanks for reading! Do you have a favorite summer cocktail?
Half and half and infused water are two of my favorite summer drinks. So yummy and refreshing!
Thanks for reading Kimberly! What are your favorite things to infuse in water?
These are all tasty summer drinks. I love a great Rose. And I’m a regular Arnold Palmer drinker, especially at Chic fil a with my kiddos. My daughter even likes it now.
It’s funny how kids sometimes pick up the habits of adults around them. Do you have a favorite rose?
I love infused water all year around!
I did the fruit infused water this year and accidentally left it sit overnight in my blender bottle and it got moldy. I need to find a better way..lol
Oops! I usually let it infuse in the fridge, and try not to let it go more than 4-6 hours.
mm, love infused water especially in the summer! I didn’t realize it was going to hit 90 in DC this weekend, ack! Thank goodness our pool has opened.
Yes! Pool season is definitely here!
I love a good rose with dinner in the summer 🙂
I love infused water! On the wine/cocktail side of things, summer always says sangria to me!
OOh, sangria. I’ve had very good and very not good sangria in my life, but wine and fruit is a great combo!
Yum – I’m thirsty! Love your list 🙂
Thanks!
I love half and halfs! I need to do more infused water, it’s soo good!
Yum! All of these look so good. I just got my first bottle of Rose….excited to try it!
That’s great Gretchen! I hope you enjoy it!
These are all great options! I’ll see you Arnold Palmer and raise you a John Daly (sweet tea vodka and lemonade – or just tea, vodka and lemonade, depending on what I’ve got in the house!)