Much of the cultural discourse around this time of year revolves around the “song of the summer,” as music lovers debate which new ditty will follow in the footsteps of hits like “Despacito,” “Butter” and “In My Feelings.” (For the record, my vote is Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”) But the warm weather also ushers in another important superlative in the food and beverage world: “drink of the summer.
” It seems every year there’s a particularly delicious cocktail that the masses crave as they enjoy the season of outdoor bars, backyard barbecues and fabulous vacations. To inspire your seasonal sipping, we’re looking back at some of the cocktails that have been dubbed “drink of the summer” in recent years (and a couple of current contenders). Cheers! Advertisement Batanga (2024) Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images This zingy cola-based cocktail is vying for the title of 2024′s drink of the summer.
The batanga is a refreshing drink made with fresh lime juice, tequila blanco and cola, served in a highball glass with a salted rim (and occasionally a pinch of salt directly in the cocktail). Advertisement The simple yet perfectly balanced libation is often compared to a Cuba libre with tequila instead of rum, or a paloma with cola instead of grapefruit. Although the ratios can vary, many bartenders stir half an ounce of lime juice and 2 ounces of tequila blanco in a tall glass filled with ice before filling the rest with cola.
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