Summer time and the living's easy—especially if you have a cocktail in hand!
With the weather heating up, we've rounded up a selection of four refreshing drinks—including some enjoyed by celebs!—to add a little class to your next summer soiree.
Nothing says sophistication like a martini—the drink of choice of the debonair James Bond. But if all that vodka—or gin, depending on your preference—has you feeling a bit guilty, the folks at the Tuscon, Arizona-based Miraval resort and spa have crafted a healthy version of the classic cocktail called the Mindful Martini.
"Mindfulness is at the heart of everything Miraval does," explains Miraval Executive Chef Justin Macy. "Dining—and and drinking—are no exception. Since mindfulness is about inspiration, not deprivation, cocktails, wines, liqueurs and nightcaps are available at Miraval. The Mindful Martini was created by Miraval using healthy pomegranate juice and ripe blackberries and is one of Miraval's most popular cocktails."
But if you can't make it to the rest-and-relaxation destination that stars such as Bill and Giuliana Rancic, Ellen Degeneres, Sharon Stone and Oprah Winfrey have all visited in the past, the resort and spa has shared the recipe for its fruity cocktail with us:
MINDFUL MARTINI:
3 ounces of premium vodka
2 ounces triple sec
1 oz. pomegranate juice
½ ounce acai juice
2 fresh blackberries, for garnish
PREPARATION: Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into two tall martini glasses, garnish with blackberry and serve immediately.
If you're hanging poolside this summer, you might want to try the light libation that celebs sipped on at the Hard Rock Hotel Music Lounge during the Coachella Music Festival back in April. Owl's Brew, a tasty tea mixer, available online the first week of July, served famous guests at the event a spicy rum concoction combined with the product, which is brewed from whole spices, fruits and herbs.
Guest Whitney Port was a fan of the zesty drink, called the Owl's Piña, and seeing as the mixer has one-third of the calories of traditional cocktails, according to the brand, we're guessing you will, too! After all, we've gotta keep our bikini bods in shape for all those pool parties, right? Here's how you can make your own Owl's Piña:
Owl's Piña
2 ounces Owl's Brew Coco-Lada
1 ounce spiced rum (the brand recommends recommend Captain Morgan)
Preparation: Combine the ingredients. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh pineapple slice.
To add a little cosmopolitan flair to your next summer party, try this recipe that comes straight from New York speakeasy PDT (Please Don't Tell). Bartender John Debary created the cocktail using the oh-so-popular foraging trend, which calls for ingredients you might find while—you guessed it!—foraging. Right in tune with the trend, Debary tops his creation with sprigs of lavender, but read on to find out what else goes into creating his mixed drink masterpiece:
Rhubarb Liqueur
1.5 ounces Reyka vodka
.75 ounces AITA rhubarb
.75 ounces lime juice
.5 ounces Boiron Strawberry purée
Preparation: Shake and strain into chilled coupe. Top with 1 ounce brut champagne. Garnish with sprigs of lavender.
If you're not a fan of fads and would rather toast with a classic spirit, you can't go wrong with whiskey. Here's a fuss-free recipe for all those manly men who hit up your next summer barbecue:
Suntory HighBall
1 part Suntory Whiskey
4 parts sparkling soda water
Dash of mint
Preparation: Combine ingredients into highball glass full of cubed ice and garnish with mint.