Summer Mixers

Summer is a great time to experiment with fresh and sexy cocktails. When hosting guests -whether friends or family, these colorful drinks add some personality to the table. Years ago, I got my bar tending license, which has since accumulated some dust. This was a great opportunity to get back into ‘the mix’.
Here are some light and refreshing recipes to kick your summer days and/or evenings up a notch.
Cheers!

1- Strawberry Mint Cocktail (My New Favorite!)

Ingredients:
2 strawberries
1 sprig of mint
3/4 ounce light agave nectar (I use 1 Stevia or Truvia packet)
2 ounces citrus or plain vodka
1 ounce lemon juice

Directions:
In a shaker, muddle together mint and strawberries, then add the remaining ingredients.
Shake vigorously with ice for 20 seconds. Pour entire contents of shaker into a glass. (Include all of the mint and strawberry pulp.)

2- Russian Coffee (Refreshing and Yummy!)

Ingredients:
1 cup crushed ice
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce heavy cream (I use half and half)
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
15 drops liquid stevia

Directions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Pour into a chilled highball glass.

3- Watermelon Cucumber Refresher (Aaah sooo good!)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce vodka or tequila
1/2 ounce watermelon-cucumber-mint juice*
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a watermelon and/or spring of mint.

*Watermelon- Cucumber-Mint Juice
2 cups diced, seeded fresh watermelon
1 cup seeded cucumber
2 sprigs of mint

Whir all ingredients together in a blender.
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer.
Discard pulp.

4- Sun Kissed Spritzer (Light and Easy!)

Ingredients:
3 ounces Citroen Vodka or Skinnygirl Tangerine Vodka
2 1/4 ounce lime soda water
Splash of fresh lime
Splash of fresh lemon
Splash of fresh grapefruit
Splash of lemon for garnish

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, and pour over ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

5- Woo Woo (Learned this at Bar Tending School – A big hit!)

Ingredients:
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce peach schnapps
2 ounces cranberry juice
Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:
Place the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Shake Well
Strain into a chilled glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge.