8 Summer Cocktail Recipes

summer cocktail recipes

With summer right around the corner, Angela Thompson, Director of Beverage Innovation for Monin, has created eight refreshing libations to get you in the summer state of mind. Thompson has taken her more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry to create these recipes, which include everything from twists on the classics to reimagined childhood treats and patriotic sparklers. There are thirst-quenching drinks for every sun-filled occasion on this list!

 

Sparkling Melon Mint Lemonadesummer cocktail recipe monin

“Carbonated cocktails are the preferred light and refreshing beverage for summer imbibing,” says Thompson. “Add in a classic summer flavor like juicy watermelon and easy-to-grow mint for a fresh cocktail perfect for a BBQ, holiday celebration, or even a warm weekend at the pool. But be careful, this one goes down easy!”

Ingredients:
8 mint leaves
½ oz. Monin Classic Watermelon Syrup
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
1 ¼ oz. Limoncello
Top with 3 oz. Prosecco

Directions:
Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed.
Cap, shake and strain into serving glass with ice, top with Prosecco. Garnish with lemon
slices, a watermelon slice, and a mint sprig.

 

Red White & Blue Sangriared white blue cocktail recipe monin

“Spruce up your typical patriotic cocktails with a new and unique flavor: dragon fruit,” recommends Thompson. “This low-ABV patriotic sangria is easy to make, and all you need is a cookie cutter to punch out the dragon fruit stars. Swap out the wine for some lemonade for a drink that even the kids can enjoy.”

Ingredients:
6 strawberry slices
¾ oz. Monin Dragon Fruit Syrup
3 oz. Sauvignon Blanc Wine
1 oz. white cranberry juice
Top with club soda

Directions:
Pour all ingredients into a serving glass in the order listed, except club soda, and stir. Add ice and top with club soda. Garnish with dragon fruit stars and blueberries.

 

Tee Offsummer quarantine cocktail recipes Monin

“Arnold Palmers are a summer classic that everyone loves,” says Thompson. “Give it a modern twist with a touch of bourbon and added flavors of cherry and peach. If you are observing a sober summer, simply skip on the bourbon and pour in some extra lemonade.”

Ingredients:
1 pump Monin Peach Concentrated Flavor
3 oz. lemonade
½ oz. Monin Black Cherry Purée
3 oz. black tea
1 ¼ oz. bourbon

Directions:
Pour peach concentrated flavor and lemonade into serving glass and stir. Add ice and remaining ingredients in order listed. Garnish with a dark cherry, lemon slice, and mint sprig.

 

Spiced Ginger Daiquirisummer quarantini summer cocktail recipes

“Imagine the soft swaying of a hammock, staring up at shadowed palm leaves, and smelling the saltiness of the ocean breeze, that’s where this drink takes you, even if you are lying on your living room floor,” says Thompson. “The powerful, bright ginger in this frosty daiquiri is rounded out by sweet molasses notes from the spiced brown sugar and tied together with citrus and rum. A refreshing island retreat in a glass.”

Ingredients:
1 oz. Monin Ginger Purée
¾ oz. Monin Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
¾ oz. fresh lime juice
2 oz. Jamaican rum

Directions:
Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into a blender cup in order listed. Add ice from
serving glass, cap, and blend until smooth. Pour back into serving glass and garnish with
candied ginger and a lime slice.

NoMad Shrubmonin summer cocktail recipes quarantine cocktails

“A couple of years ago, I had this drink at the NoMad bar in New York City,” says Thompson. “I wanted to pay tribute with my version as the drink’s flavor and complexity has stayed with me since I first tasted it. This beverage is a surprisingly frothy and refreshing alternative to an iced coffee that reminds me of a carrot cake with spiced cream cheese frosting. A decadent treat everyone can enjoy.”

Ingredients:
¾ oz. Monin Chai Tea Concentrate
2 pumps Monin Passion Fruit Concentrated Flavor
3 oz. cold water
1 oz. sweetened condensed milk
¼ oz. balsamic vinegar

Directions:
Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed. Cap, shake and strain into serving glass with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

 

Cherry Cobbler Mocktailmonin summer cocktail recipes

“This zero-proof twist on the classic, pre-prohibition cobbler swaps out sherry for sherry vinegar, which makes this zero-proof drink stand out in the most refreshing way,” says Thompson. “The sherry vinegar adds complexity and brightness that gives the flavors in this drink a nice pop.”

Ingredients:
½ oz. Monin Black Cherry Purée
¼ oz. Monin Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
¼ oz. sherry vinegar
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. pineapple juice
Top with club soda

Directions:
Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour ingredients into mixing glass, except club soda, with 2/3
ice in order listed. Cap, shake, and strain into serving glass with ice and top with club soda.
Garnish with a dark cherry and mint sprig.

 

Orange Spritzsicle Floatmonin summer cocktail recipes

“One of the favorite treats from my childhood is a creamsicle,” says Thompson. “For this version, I used a touch of Vanilla with Orange Spritz, which still delivers the orange flavor of a creamsicle, but it has a bitterness (like Aperol) to give this zero-proof drink an adult edge. Want to make it more adult? Add 1 oz. of orange vodka or Cointreau to further awaken your inner child.”

Ingredients:
¾ oz. Monin Orange Spritz Syrup
½ oz. Monin French Vanilla Syrup
5 oz. club soda
2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:
Pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed. Garnish with an orange slice.

 

Blueberry Cobbler Caddymonin summer cocktail recipes

“Running low on energy and love Arnold Palmers?” asks Thompson. “This cold brew coffee lemonade is a whole new bag. The extra flavors of blueberry and spiced brown sugar give this drink a sweet blueberry cobbler edge, for a delicious afternoon pick-me-up.”

Ingredients:
4 oz. cold brewed coffee
2 pumps Monin Blueberry Concentrated Flavor
½ oz. Monin Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
3 oz. lemonade

Directions:
Fill serving glass full of ice. Pour cold brew coffee into serving glass then top with remaining ingredients in order listed. Garnish with blueberries, a lemon wheel, and mint sprig.

Top photo by Leah Kelley from Pexels; all other photos from Monin.