With the Texas summer in full swing, you need lasting refreshment to make a full day of fun in the sun. While nothing beats the delicious flavor combinations you can create with a cocktail, some spirits just aren’t made for summer weather. Rum cocktails can end up too sweet, tequila too strong, and whiskey a bit too warming – but vodka, with its neutral flavor profile, lends itself perfectly to whatever refreshing taste you’re looking to capture.
Check out some of our favorite vodka cocktails for summer and you’ll be sipping pretty no matter how hot it gets!
The Poolside – Tastes like summer
Ingredients
1 oz. vodka
½ oz. black raspberry liqueur
½ oz. peach schnapps
2 oz. cranberry juice
2 oz. orange juice
1 oz. sour mix
Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a pint glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with an orange slice.
The Bootlegger – Light & lively
Ingredients
Mix yields 4 servings
4 oz. fresh lemon juice (about 3 large lemons, juiced)
2 oz. fresh lime juice (about 1 large or 2 medium limes, juiced)
2 oz. cup light agave nectar
2 packed tablespoons fresh mint leaves
Per drink
2 oz. bootleg mix
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. club soda
Directions
To make the bootleg mix: Juice the lemons and limes into a liquid measuring cup. Add sweetener. Pour the juice and sweetener into a blender. Add 2 firmly packed tablespoons of fresh mint leaves. Blend thoroughly, until the mint is broken into tiny bits.
To make the drinks: Fill cocktail glasses with ice. For each drink, pour in 2 ounces of your bootleg mix, plus 2 ounces of vodka and top with 2 ounces club soda. Serve with a straw, which doubles as a stirring device.
Lime Cucumber Cosmo – Extremely refreshing
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. cucumber vodka
½ oz. triple sec
¼ oz. fresh lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
1 oz. 100% cranberry juice
extra lime wedge for garnish
Directions
Measure all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously.
Strain into a glass and garnish with mint.
Chi Chi – How vodka does tiki
Ingredients
2 oz. vodka
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. cream of coconut
Directions
Combine all ingredients with 1 cup ice in a blender, blend until smooth.
Strain into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple chunk and maraschino cherry.
