8 cocktail ideas for the end of summer

by W. Andrew Powell
Summer Cocktails

Soak up the last drops of summer with seven fantastic cocktail and drink ideas that are going to make your long weekend plans feel even sunnier.

Cocktail inspirations include Appleton Estate Daiquiri, Walter’s Craft Caesar Pre-Mix, Hornitos Tequila Smash, classic Canadian Caesar, Bailey’s Light, Alberta Pure Mule, and Disaronno Mint Julep.

The Estate Daiquiri

The Estate Daiquiri

Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve is wonderful neat, and I love the flavours ofhoney, oak, and orange peel, with a finish that’s rich, smooth, and warm. It’s also incredible in rum cocktails, and that includes a daiquiri.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Orange peel garnish

Instructions

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and enjoy.


Alberta Pure Mule

Alberta Pure Mule

Alberta Pure is one of my favourite Canadian vodkas. It’s a smooth, creamy, and delicious spirit for mixing, and I’ve got two recipes for you to try, but my favourite is a classic Russian Mule.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Alberta Pure Vodka
  • 1/2 oz fresh line juice
  • Ginger Beer
  • Lime wedge garnish

Instructions

Fill glass with ice. Pour in vodka and lime juice. Fill glass with ginger beer and gently swirl to mix. Garnish with lime wedge.

Alberta Pure Strawberry Basil Smash

  • 5 basil leaves
  • 1.5 oz strawberry simple syrup
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 oz Alberta Pure vodka
  • Soda water

Instructions

For the Strawberry Simple Syrup: in a small pan over medium high heat, combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 water, and at least 4 diced strawberries. Let come to a boil, stir well, then turn down heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.

In a shaker muddle the basil well. Add ice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and vodka to shaker. Shake until chilled and strain into a glass with ice. Top with club soda and a basil leaf.


Walter’s Craft Caesar Pre-Mix

For this cocktail, the instructions are simple: add ice to a glass, and pour in Walter’s Craft Caesar Pre-Mix.

Walter’s makes one of the best Canadian Caesar mixes, and the new pre-mixed cocktail in a can is made with premium vodka, all-natural ingredients, hot sauce, worcestershire sauce, horseradish, and fresh citrus juice.

It’s a classic for any get together, summer, fall, or winter, and a great garnish is optional, but recommended.


Hornitos Tequila Smash

Bring some Mexican flavour to your summer with Hornitos Tequila, and an easy, delicious cocktail that’s light and refreshing, and you can make it in minutes.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Hornitos Plata Tequila
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 3 lime wedges
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup

Instructions

Add Hornitos Plata Tequila, simple syrup and the juice of half of a lime to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain over ice into a highball glass. Garnish with mint leaves.

If you want to get extra fancy, you can also salt the rim.


Baileys Deliciously Light

Baileys Golden Glow

Baileys is delicious any time of year, and I love it in coffee, or blended with ice. If you’re looking for a lighter treat though, Baileys Deliciously Light has less calories and less sugar, but still with that flavour that’s perfectly Baileys. It’s still great in coffee or blended, or you can try it in a unique, light cocktail, like the Baileys Golden Glow.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Baileys Deliciously Light
  • 1/2 oz Bulleit Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz maple syrup
  • Pinch ground turmeric
  • Pinch cinnamon
  • 3oz oat milk

Instructions

Shake and doube strain over large ice cubes into an Old Fashioned glass.


Disaronno Mint Julep

Disaronno is the king of amaretto cocktails, and I love trying it in new drinks. If you’ve never had a twist on the classic Mint Julep, this is a fantastic alternative to using bourbon.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Disaronno
  • 1 oz Canadian Rye Whisky
  • 3 sprigs of mint leaves
  • Crushed ice

Instructions

In your favourite Old Fashioned glass, place mint leaves and lightly press against the bottom of the glass. Add Disaronno, the Rye Whisky, and top with crushed ice. Stir and serve, with a garnish of mint.


Smirnoff Original Caesar

Original Caesar

If you want to make your own classic Caesar cocktail from scratch,

I also put together 5 tips for the best Caesars, from garnishing like a pro to ice and flavours.

Here’s how to make the perfect, classic Caesar.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
  • 5 oz. Mott’s Clamato Cocktail Mixer
  • 0.5 oz Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 dashes hot sauce
  • Dash lemon juice
  • 1 piece of celery
  • 1 slice of lime
  • 1 cup of ice
  • Celery salt for the rim

Instructions

Wet the rim of your highball glass, and then dip the rim on a small plate covered in celery salt to rim the glass. Add ice to the glass.

Pour ingredients in glass. Stir to combine ingredients. Garnish with a celery stick, or your choice of toppings, and a slice of lime.


Please remember to drink responsibly.

All images, excluding Hornitos, by W. Andrew Powell.

Join our list

Subscribe to our mailing list and get weekly updates on our latest contests, interviews, and reviews.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

You may also like

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More