Memorial Day 2014 Drink Recipes: 7 Cocktails To Kick Off The Summer

Memorial Day 2014 marks the beginning of summer, and what better way is there to ring in the season of swimsuits and tan lines than with a refreshing beverage in the company of friends?

It’s time to leave the dismal days of winter behind and start summer off on the right foot. Whether you’re having an intimate get together, a large party or something outdoors, there’s a drink for every occasion.

Here are our picks for the best Memorial Day 2014 drink recipes. Let’s a toast to summer!

Summer Sangria

Good for: Large groups, picnics and BBQs

What you’ll need:
• 1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
• 1 Lemon cut into wedges
• 1 Orange cut into wedges
• 1 Lime cut into wedges
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• Splash of orange juice or lemonade
• 2 Shots of gin or triple sec (optional)
• 1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries (may use thawed or frozen)
• 1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
• 4 Cups ginger ale

How to make:

Combine wine, fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible), pineapple, sugar, orange juice and gin in a large pitcher. Squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving.

Guava Margarita

Good for: Large groups, picnics and BBQs

What you’ll need:

• 1 ½ parts Tequila
• 1 part Guava Puree
• 1 part Fresh Lime Sour
• Coconut flakes (optional)

How to make:

Place ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake until frothy. Strain over fresh ice. Garnish with coconut flakes.

Prosecco Float

Good for: Intimate gatherings

What you’ll need:

• 5 oz. of your favorite Prosecco
• 1 scoop raspberry sorbet
• Raspberries

How to make:

Chill champagne flutes. Use a melon baller to add a scoop of raspberry sorbet to flute. Fill with Prosecco and garnish with a raspberry.

Red, White and Blue Shot

Good for: Large groups, backyard BBQs

What you’ll need:

• 1 part grenadine
• 1 part peach schnapps
• 1 part blue curacao
• Blackberry or strawberry (optional)

How to make:

In a shot glass, fill the bottom third with grenadine. Next, pour peach schnapps over the back of a bar spoon to build the second layer. Layer the blue curacao in the same fashion to complete your Red White and Blue Shooter. Serve with a strawberry and blackberry as garnish if desired.

Firecracker

Good for: Any occasion

What you’ll need:

• 1 ¼ oz. vodka
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 1 ¼ oz. blue curacao
• ¾ oz. grenadine
• Simple syrup (mix equal parts hot water and sugar until sugar is dissolved)

How to make:

Pour grenadine into the bottom of a tall glass then add ice. Gently pour curacao over grenadine. Combine vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Give it a good shake. Pour curacao mixture from shaker into glass.

Port Royal Punch

Good for: Large groups, picnics and BBQs

What you’ll need:

• 25 oz. Kraken Spiced Rum
• 46 oz. Pineapple juice
• 36 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda
• 24 oz. Mango juice
• 4.5 oz. Grenadine
• 3 Oranges, sliced thinly and quartered

How to make:

Combine all the ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher and stir. Serve in punch glasses filled with ice.

Strawberry Bourbon Lemonade

Good for: Intimate gatherings

What you’ll need:
• 3 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• Elmo Pio Prosecco
• 3 strawberries – pureed in a blender
• 1 lemon, juiced
• ½ tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 dashes of bitters
• cinnamon
• sliced strawberries, for garnish

How to make:

Combine bourbon, pureed strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, bitters, and cinnamon to a cocktail shaker. Add ice. Shake for 10 seconds, then strain into chilled glasses. Top off with Prosecco and garnish with a strawberry.