There?s nothing more sublime than relaxing on a patio on a warm summer evening sipping a frosty drink. But, of course, concocting complicated cocktails is the last thing you want to be doing with your free time. After all, summer is for simplicity. That?s why we?re spotlighting a dozen of our favorite drinks to make this season that contain just three ingredients each. Cheers to summer!

Margarita

Summer just wouldn?t be summer without a perfectly crafted Margarita. Don?t forget the salt! It enhances the sweet and sour flavors and aromas of this frosty drink. Stick with a classic citrusy Margie or try a sweet variation like a Hibiscus Margarita made with hibiscus tea.

Ingredients: 2 oz. silver tequila

1 oz. lime juice

1 oz. orange liqueur

Directions: Salt the rim of your glass, mix ingredients, pour over ice, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Paloma

Cousin to the Margarita, this drink is a combination of all our favorite flavors. It?s sweet, sour, salty, and even a little bitter. It?s said that in Mexico, the Paloma is even more popular than the Margarita.

Ingredients: 1 part silver tequila

3 parts grapefruit soda

Lime juice to taste

Directions: Make them by the glass or by the pitcher. Serve over ice, and be sure to salt the rim of your glasses for added flavor.

Tequila Sunrise

If you were a fan of the rock group, The Eagles, this drink will take you back to the 70s and remind you of their hit song of the same name. A Tequila Sunrise is as pretty to look at as it is enjoyable to drink.

Ingredients: 2 oz. silver tequila

3/4 cup orange juice

1 oz. grenadine

Directions: Mix tequila and orange juice over ice, then slowly add the grenadine. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Pina Colada

There are multiple varieties of this tropical cocktail, including the Iguana Colada infused with Midori for a melon flavor and a Jackolada created with one part Jack Daniels and one part white rum.?

Ingredients: 2 oz. white rum

2 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. cream of coconut

Directions: Place all ingredients in a shaker or blender, then shake or blend until frothy. Garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

Daiquiri

This classic cocktail was said to be a favorite of American author Ernest Hemingway. So be sure to mix yourself one on July 19 to celebrate National Daiquiri Day!

Ingredients: 1-1/2? oz. white rum

1 oz. lime juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

Directions: Mix all ingredients and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.

Sweet Bourbon Peach Lemonade

Here?s an updated version of a summertime favorite. Fruity, frosty, and the very essence of summer flavors.

Ingredients:? 6 cups raspberry and peach flavored lemonade

1 cup ripe peaches

1 cup bourbon

Directions: Combine lemonade and peaches in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher, add bourbon, and stir. Chill, then serve over ice with a peach or thyme garnish.

Mint Julep

Known as the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby, this southern drink is a cool treat on a hot day. Kentuckians seem to agree as they consume 120,000 Mint Juleps during Kentucky Derby weekend.

Ingredients: 2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. simple syrup

2-3 gently muddled mint leaves

Directions: Mix ingredients and pour over crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Sea Breeze

As refreshing as its name implies, the Sea Breeze is a perfect cocktail for evenings at the beach or spent relaxing on the patio.?

Ingredients: 2 oz. vodka

3 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. grapefruit juice

Directions: Mix all ingredients and pour over ice. Stir and add lime or grapefruit for garnish.

Creamsicle Screwdriver

While technically a Creamsicle Screwdriver only contains two ingredients, we included it for its creamy, ice cream like flavors because what?s more summery than ice cream?

Ingredients: 2 oz. vanilla-flavored vodka

6 oz. orange juice

Directions: Pour cold vodka into a tall glass and top with chilled orange juice. Stir.

Moscow Mule

Invented in Hollywood in 1941 at a bar called the Cock n? Bull, the Moscow Mule was served in its iconic copper mug to make it stand out from other cocktails at the bar. Fizzy and fun to drink, with a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors.

Ingredients: 2 oz. vodka

3 oz. cranberry juice

1 oz. grapefruit juice

Directions: Serve over crushed ice in a copper mule mug. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Raspberry Gin and Tonic

A fresh twist on the classic gin and tonic, this beverage blends gin?s predominant juniper berry flavors with tart raspberries to create a beautifully balanced cocktail.

Ingredients: Muddled raspberries

2 oz. gin

4 oz. tonic water

Directions: Muddle raspberries at the bottom of a glass. Add ice, followed by gin and tonic water. Stir gently.

Gimlet

The British Royal Navy created the Gimlet to prevent its crews from succumbing to scurvy during long voyages at sea. It?s a pretty tasty way to get your vitamin C.?

Ingredients: 2 oz. gin

1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

Directions: Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake, strain, and serve with a lime wedge.

Final Thoughts

Of course, there are more than just a dozen wonderful summer cocktails to enjoy. Pair your picks with your favorite summertime pastimes–lying by the pool, barbequing in the backyard, or sunning on the beach. Just remember summer flies by. Enjoy all its flavors while you can.About the Author

Jon Notarius is the Vice President of Premier Gourmet Corp. which operates the store?

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