With the weather warming up now, I've found myself craving simple "patio" drinks. Something fizzy - and not too fussy - that can be stirred with ice right in the glass. Here are five of my favorite warm-weather classics, each made from just three basic ingredients (a soda, a spirit, and some citrus). What are some of yours?
• 1. Gin and Tonic
Gin, Tonic Water, Lime (full recipe - plus a little history - here)
A perfectly seamless blend of crisp, junipery gin and thirst-quenchingly zesty tonic water, it's no wonder the Gin and Tonic is one of the most perennially popular patio drinks. For a deluxe version, consider using a premium brand of tonic, such as Q or Fever Tree.
• 2. Dark and Stormy
Dark Rum, Ginger Beer, Lime (full recipe here)
The national drink of Bermuda can be enjoyed just about anywhere. But if you want a truly authentic taste, try using Gosling's Black Seal rum and Barritts ginger beer. Both brands are local to Bermuda and purists swear by them. (In fact, many will say that a drink made any other way is not a Dark and Stormy.) But authentic or not, any good-quality dark rum and any spicy, zippy ginger beer will make for a very tasty drink.
• 3. Campari and Soda (not pictured)
Sparkling Water, Campari, Lemon
For a deliciously refreshing cooler, just add a few ounces of sparkling water and a slice of lemon (or lime or orange if you prefer) to a shot of Campari. Light, bright, and refreshingly bitter and bracing, the grapefruity flavor of this bright red aperitif takes center stage in this sophisticated highball.
• 4. Moscow Mule
Vodka, Ginger Beer, Lime (recipe here)
Equal parts vodka and lime juice with a healthy pour of spicy ginger beer (or, in some recipe variations, ginger ale) added in, this thirst-quenching classic got its start back sometime in the 1940s. Often served in a distinctive copper mug, it tastes just as good in a tall glass.
• 5. Cuba Libre
Rum, Cola, Lime
Add a little lime and the plain old American "Rum and Coke" becomes a much more romantic-sounding "Cuba Libre." A fascinating history of the drink - with recipe variations - ran in the Washington Post this week.
What kind of drinks are you craving this spring?
Nora Maynard is a longtime home mixologist and an occasional instructor at NYC’s Astor Center. She is a contributor to The Business of Food: Encyclopedia of the Food and Drink Industries and is the recipient of the American Egg Board Fellowship in culinary writing at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow. She previously covered food and drink in film at The Kitchn in her weekly column, The Celluloid Pantry.
Related: Pantry Basics: 5 Essential Ingredients for Cold Drinks
(Images: Nora Maynard)
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cuban daiquiri!! only rum, lime juice and some sugar! so good... but be careful - they're dangerous.
I've been making "dark and stormies" with Kraken rum lately. It's so vanilla-y and delicious, brings a great flavor. Sailor Jerry is great for this as well.
Gin and Tonic please---although I'm buying a bottle of rum tout de suite so I can have a Cuban Daiquiri.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE gin & tonics...except I use lemon instead of lime. I know, I know, scorn me, but try it, INFINITELY better...especially with Fever Tree tonic. {mouth watering}
I think I will leave work early and go crack into one of these on my apartment's balcony. With a fresh manicure. All is well with the world.
Yum. I've switched gin and tonics to gin rickeys lately (soda instead of tonic, plus more lime juice). A little lighter. Also, siberian donkeys instead of moscow mules using absolut peppar in place of regular vodka and garnish with pickled jalapeno. Delicious.
Just got my new bottle of Campari for the season. When ordering it out I always have to specify it needs a good hunk of lemon, or you get the tiny garnish triangle the bartender cut hours ago. It's not garnish here, it's an ingredient.
And I must try a Dark and Stormy.
La Paloma (fresh grapefruit, club soda, tequila, maybe a little lime and agave nectar or simple syrup, depending on the sweetness of the grapefruit). Recipe on my website, but it's my go-to at restaurants during spring and summer too!
Rye and Ginger - Canadian rye whiskey, ginger ale, and a very large slice of lemon. YUM.
Bourbon and ginger beer OR peach soda with lemon, lime or sweet lime.
Domaine de Canton + lemon juice + soda water
After being in New Orleans last weekend, I cannot wait to get home from work and make my own Pim's Cup---bourbon and lemonade, and so much more!
I usually drink gin and gingers but when the bar stocks it I love Galliano and gingers, especially if you bruise some mint into it. Very sweet and herbal.
Dark and stormies - LOVE. The spicier, the better... and I use Sailor Jerry's.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, all this is well and good. But can it beat a margarita? No. Not it can't. ;)
(Though, to be honest, that dark and stormy is looking miiiiiighty nice right about now!)
Sailor Jerry's + Sprite is surprisingly tasty.
LOVE all these refreshing patio drinks!
One cannot top the Pimm's Cup for a refreshing summer drink. Muddle some mint in the bottom of a tall glass. Fill it 3/4 of the way to the top with ice, add a jigger of Pimm's and fill with ginger ale. Garnish with strawberries and cucumber spears. Hoist a few to Will and Kate!
I concur, Pimm's is definitely my favorite summer drink. I do my Pimm's with either R White's lemonade from the local English products shop, or Trader Joe's French Style Lemonade, which is the closest I've found stateside to the real thing. I recommend adding a slice of lemon and orange. Don't be stingy with the fruit!
My favorite summer drink is a raspberry mojito. However, I plan on trying Pimm's this summer as well.