Looking for ways to beat the August heat? We’ve found five of them. Delicious, thirst quenching cocktails perfect for sipping during the dog days of summer. Always drink responsibly and designate a driver.

Summer Storm

@recipe  SMITH & RATLIFF

@image  CATHERINE FREDERICK

 

Fresh blueberries- about a handful
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 2 part water)
2oz gin
Soda water
Mint sprig- optional garnish

Muddle a handful of blueberries with a bit of water. In a shaker, combine lime juice, simple syrup, gin and blueberry puree. Shake, then strain into a chilled Collins glass with ice, top with soda and garnish with mint.

Bahama Bama

@recipe and image  CATHERINE FREDERICK

 

6oz orange, pineapple, banana juice (I use Dole)
Splash Bacardi 151 Rum
1/2 oz Bacardi Rum
1/2 oz Bacardi Orange Rum
1/2 oz Meyers Dark Rum

1/2 oz Pineapple Liquor

In a shaker combine all ingredients except Bacardi 151. Pour into a glass filled with ice. Add the splash of Bacardi 151, floating on top.

Pineapple Sangria

@recipe  ERINS FOOD FILES

@image  CATHERINE FREDERICK

 

3 cups pineapple juice
1 bottle dry white wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup brandy (pear or apricot)
1 ripe pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup pineapple soda
1 bunch fresh mint, roughly chopped
1 orange, sliced

In a pitcher, combine juice, wine, brandy, pineapple and soda with ice and stir. Pour into large wine glasses and garnish with mint and orange slice. Serving a crowd? Double ingredients and use 3L of wine.

Lemon Spiked Sweet Tea

@recipe  MARTHA STEWART

@image  CATHERINE FREDERICK

 

7 cups water
6 orange pekoe tea bags
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup Bacardi 151 or other high-proof golden rum
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Boil 4 cups of water in saucepan and add tea bags. Remove from heat and let steep for 5 minutes.

Remove bags, add sugar, and stir to dissolve. Add 3 cups water and stir to combine. Transfer to pitcher, add the lemon juice and rum. Chill before serving. Serve over ice, in tall glasses. Garnish with mint.

Watermelon Jolly

@recipe and image  CATHERINE FREDERICK

4 oz fresh watermelon juice
2 oz Smirnoff Watermelon Vodka
2oz simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 2 part water)
2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

Juice chunks of watermelon by pushing through a strainer or place in a blender, then strain to obtain the juice, discard seeds and pulp. Add watermelon juice, vodka, simple syrup and lime juice in a shaker. Shake then pour over ice. Garnish with a slice of watermelon.