Swimming season is underway, and what better cocktail than a classic crushed ice libation? Spec’s has all the ingredients for blended beverages that’ll taste great and keep you cool by the pool. Here are a few crunchy cocktail recipes that’ll level up your swimsuit soiree.
To crush ice, Spec’s recommends a blender or food processor. Each method results in slightly different amounts, so while guidelines are provided; experimentation is encouraged to find the best amount of ice for your perfect cocktail.
Citrus Crush
1 ½ oz gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz pineapple juice
¼ oz orgeat syrup
A few handfuls of ice cubes
Pulse the ice cubes in a blender until crushed, then add the liquid ingredients and pulse until just blended. Pour into a chilled tumbler.
Lounge Around
2 oz rum
3 oz pineapple juice
½ oz coconut cream
Chilled ginger beer, to taste
Crushed ice to fill a tall glass ¾ full
Shake rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream in a cocktail shaker with ice, then strain into a tall glass nearly filled with crushed ice. Top with ice-cold ginger beer.
The Triple B
2 oz. bourbon
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
Two blackberries
Two raspberries
Dash of bitters
Crushed ice to fill a tall glass ¾ full
Muddle two blackberries and two raspberries in a cocktail shaker, extracting as much juice as possible. Add crushed ice, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters, shake until blended. Pour into a chilled tumbler.
Classic Strawberry Daiquiri
1 cup white rum
3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
¼ cup lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 cup of ice, plus additional ice to taste
Combine the rum, strawberries, fresh squeezed lime juice and one cup of ice in a blender. Pulse to evenly blend, adding ice to preferred consistency. Pour into a tall, festive glass and add a straw for optimal sipping. Makes 4-6 drinks.
Lemon Aid
3 oz vodka
¾ cup simple syrup
2 lemons
2 cups ice cubes, plus extra for serving as necessary
1 cup ice water
Juice 1 1/2 lemons, reserving one lemon half. Stir the lemon juice into the simple syrup and chill.
Blend the ice in a blender or food processor until it is crushed. Put half the crushed ice in a cocktail shaker, along with half the chilled lemon syrup (about 1/2 cup), 1/2 cup ice water and 1 ½ oz vodka. Shake vigorously and transfer the mixture, with the ice, into a tall glass. Repeat with the remaining mixture and garnish with a couple lemon slices per glass. Makes 2 drinks.
