How To Make The Perfect Summer Cocktail

If you are wondering how to make the perfect summer cocktail, you will find a landslide of opinion. About the only thing people can agree on is that it should definitely contain alcohol and include ice somewhere in the process. But that’s it. The rest is purely subjective. To keep things simple on a hot day, we will leave the process open ended. Our basic ingredients will include fruit, ice and liquor. Any thing else is up to you.

 To make the perfect summer cocktail, you will need:

• Fruit
• Ice
• Liquor
• Juicer
• Blender
• Strainer
• Sugar

1. Fruit. To make the perfect summer cocktail you will need the perfect mixer. Fresh fruit juice is the best. Store bought juices have been pasteurized and lose their punch. Squeeze your own oranges, juice your own pineapples and make your own lemonade from fresh fruit.
2. Ice. In the heat, your perfect summer cocktails will need ice. Tap water ice is OK in some cities and tastes like swimming pool water in other ones. Use filtered water to make your ice.
3. Liquor. For summer cocktails, liquor is a personal choice. There is no perfect spirit. Keep in mind that choices like vodka, rum or gin mix better with fresh juice than the more flavorful spirits like whiskey or tequila. But, it is up to you and your guests. Buy different bottles and experiment.
4. No prep work example. A perfect summer cocktail is a thing of beauty on a hot day. An easy one to make is a pineapple juice cocktail. Juice a pineapple and don’t forget to strain the liquid afterwards. Any ripe pineapple will do but if you can, choose a white pineapple. Or if you happen to live in Maui, get an acid pineapple. Pour ice in a cup, add a shot of dark rum and add the juice.
5. Prep work example. Some juices will need a little preparation before they are ready. Lime or lemon juice will need to be watered down and mixed with sugar. Make it a little stronger than usual because you will be mixing booze and ice with it. Fruit like peaches or mangos will need a juicer or blender. Simple peel, remove the pit and blend them. Don’t forget to strain the juice. A good ripe mango can be left alone but some people like to add ice and sugar to make it juicier. Get a cup; add some ice, a shot of gin and your juice. Basically if your juice tastes great, your summer cocktail will come out perfect.