Cool Summer Drinks That Are Perfect For A Hot Day

Wayne shares lavender blueberry mojitos and mixologist Tracy Miller makes ginger mint lemonades

Summertime is the perfect time for socializing.  A cool beverage made with fresh ingredients is a nice compliment to a gathering of  family and friends.  One of my new favorite drinks is a lavender blueberry mojito.  Made with fresh limes, mint and lavender simple syrup, it’s a refreshing burst of flavor.  I was also fortunate enough to have Mixologist Tracy Miller join me with one of her favorite drinks, the Davey Baby's Ginger Mint Lemonade.  We’ve both included a non-alcoholic drink as well so that the young ones can enjoy some flavorful summer drinks, too.

Lavender Blueberry Mojitos
with assistance from Patty Strahan and Shannon Witt

Ingredients

1/4 cu Mint Leaves, loosely packed
1/4 cu Fresh Blueberries
1 1/2 oz Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
1/2 Fresh Lime, cut into two wedges
1 1/2 oz White Rum**
Crushed Ice
Club Soda
Fresh Mint Leaves and Lime Wedges, for garnish

Method

Put mint, blueberries, lavender syrup, lime and rum in a tall glass.  Muddle ingredients just enough to break down the lime wedges and mint leaves.  Fill glass with crushed ice and top with club soda.  Stir and garnish with additional mint leaves and a slice of lime.

*Lavender Simple Syrup

Ingredients

2 cu Water
2 cu Sugar
3 tbl Dried Lavender Buds

Method

Pour sugar and watering into a medium saucepan over high heat.  Stir until sugar dissolves.  Add lavender buds and bring to boil.  Remove from heat once water has reached a rolling boil and cover for 15 - 20 minutes.  Strain liquid into an airtight container and refrigerate.  Syrup is good for up to 2 weeks.

**For a non-alcoholic version of this drink, substitute light apple juice for the rum.

Not Too Colada
non alcoholic pineapple smoothie

Ingredients

1 cu Fresh Pineapple, cut into chunks
1/4 cu Simple Syrup (recipe below)
1/2 cu canned coconut milk
juice from half of an Orange
juice from one Lime
1 cu Crushed Ice
Pineapple Wedge, for garnish

Method

Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.  If you have pineapple coring tool, you can also use the hollowed out pineapple as a container for your drink.

Davey Baby's Ginger Mint Lemonade
courtesy of Tracy Miller
Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille


2oz Absolut Citron
1oz Domain de Canton Ginger Liquor
1oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
1oz simple syrup
10 mint leaves
Soda Water

Muddle mint, syrup & lemon juice. Pour in Absolut & Domaine de Canton. Shake & Strain over ice. Top with Soda water.

Non-Alcoholic Ginger Mint Lemonade
courtesy of Tracy Miller
Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille


2oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1oz Ginger Simple Syrup
10 Mint Leaves
Soda Water

Muddle mint, lemon juice, & ginger syrup. Add ice, top with soda & stir.

Ginger Syrup

2 cups water
1 cup Sugar
1 piece of ginger (3-4inches)

Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks.  

Mixology Class


Tracy will be teaching a complimentary mixology class on Thursday, July 15, from 6PM – 9PM at Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille.  Join the class and you will learn how to make an array of different cocktails.  For more information and to RSVP go to the Struetch Run website at www.strechrunchicago.com.

Thanks to Tracy for joining me and sharing thhese two tasty recipes.  If you have any questions or comments, please send me an email at wayne@waynesweekend.com or follow me on facebook.

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