So I’m not a big spirit drinker. Wine – yes, all day every day. Beer – when I go out with friends or I feel like socializing at a brewery. But spirits, not so much (other than Tequila because have you ever had a margarita? Hands down summer in a glass right there).
On my most recent vacation, my sister bought some dark rum, ginger ale, and limes. Mixed them all together and presented to me my new favorite drink: A Dark & Stormy. Why have I never tried this before? I fricken love ginger!
Anywho this (amazing) drink made me realize I’m missing out on good dark rum beverages, and that I should probably branch out a bit more beyond my tequila margaritas. And thus in the spirit of new things I have tried out the following that I believe you will enjoy as well:
Dark & Stormy – 1 ½ ounce dark rum, half a can of ginger ale, and a squeeze of a lime wedge. Stir with a spoon. Seriously on point.
Gin Gimlet – 1 ½ ounces gin, 1 ½ ounces sweetened lime juice. Shake shake baby.
Make your own sweetened lime juice > 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a pot on the stove … turn the stove on … stir until the sugar dissolves completely … then add 1 1/3 cup lime juice AND BOOM! Homemade sweetened lime juice.
Spicy Margaritas – I know I literally mentioned branching out from margaritas, but they will always have a special place in my heart; it would have been criminal not to add it. 1 ½ ounces tequila soaked overnight with jalapenos, 1 ½ ounces lime juice, ½ ounce light agave syrup, ½ ounce fresh squeezed orange (optional: a splash of seltzer water). Shake that sucker up! But not with the seltzer water – add that after.
Mimosas – This is a given, but in order to give myself a staycation on the weekends I mix Champaign (or sparkling wine) with pineapple juice, or mango orange juice, or strawberry lemonade. Give a little twist instead of sucking down the same old OJ mix.
I have also discovered that pretty much anything that gets mixed with Ginger Ale is awesome.
Bonus: The ultimate summer cocktail to save one’s liver from excessive alcohol consumption ……
