Grab your bathing suits, blenders and cocktail shakers. We reached out to some Southern California-area mixologists, both professional and amateur, and asked them to send us their favorite summer cocktail recipes — and these drinks don’t disappoint. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a dinner party or relaxing under the stars, these refreshing summer cocktails offer immaculate seasonal vibes and aren’t too difficult to whip up.
Cheers! Pepper Daisy Daisies are always a great summer go-to because the orange liqueur and citrus are iconic hot-weather flavors. The habanero vodka in this drink brings a spice note that rounds out the herbal and honey notes of the Strega. — Austin Buscher, Bar Manager (a.
k.a. Duke of Spirits) at Walter’s in Claremont Ingredients: 2 ounces Habanero Vodka, 1 ounce Orange Liqueur, 1/4 ounce Strega Liqueur, 3/4 ounce lemon juice.
Throw it in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake it up, pour into coupe and garnish with a pretty flower. Modified Cynar Spritz As soon as the weather starts warming up, my entire hierarchy of needs is replaced by a singular drive: sit on a patio and drink a spritz. There’s no amaro (an Italian liqueur flavored with herbs) that I would scoff at mixing into a refreshing spritz, but one of my favorites is this juiced-up version of a Cynar spritz.
It’s got all the depth and richness of Cynar (an artichoke amaro that’s of the more subtle and sweet variety), punched up and given a summery twist by the fruity.