Hey, you. Yeah, you. You deserve a drink.
With the end of the semester soon approaching, a countrywide rollout of vaccinations and the thought that, soon enough, we’ll be able to safely gather with friends and family — that’s reason enough for celebration.
Here are three summer drinks to get you in a convivial spirit, ready for the summertime.
Berry Bliss
• 1 egg white (for a vegan option, use 1 ounce aquafaba, the liquid from garbanzo beans)
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce berry simple syrup (blackberry or raspberry preferred)
• 2 ounces gin
In a cocktail shaker that does not have ice in it, add your egg white or aquafaba, lemon juice, berry simple syrup and gin. Shake without ice for 30 seconds. Once the mixture has a foamy top, add a few ice cubes and shake again. Once the shaker is significantly colder to the touch — another 20-30 seconds — your cocktail is ready.
Pour into a glass of your choice and garnish with a berry and lemon slice. Enjoy!
Sweet & Smoky Escape
• 1 ounce Liber & Co. Tropical Passion fruit Syrup (can be found at Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop in northeast Minneapolis)
• 1 ounce citrus juice (orange or lemon preferred)
• 1 ounce triple sec or another orange liqueur
• 1 ½ ounces mezcal or tequila
• Tonic or seltzer water for topping
• Tajín for garnish
Run a lemon or orange wedge around the rim of your glass, then coat the rim with Tajín. Set the glass aside.
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, passion fruit syrup, citrus juice, orange liqueur and your choice of mezcal or tequila. Shake for 30 seconds.
Place a few ice cubes into your glass. Pour the drink in the glass, and enjoy.
Frozen Berry Margarita
• 1 cup margarita mix
• 4 ounces tequila (if margarita mix doesn’t come with tequila)
• 1 cup frozen berries
• ½ cup ice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ¼ cup lime juice
• Coarse salt for rim of glass
In a blender, add your margarita mix, tequila, berries, ice and lime juice. Blend until smooth.
Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass. Coat your glass with salt. Pour your mixture into the glass, and enjoy.
