Summer Cocktail Recipes

OUR FAVORITE SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPES

WATERMELON-BASIL MARGARITAS

This refreshing cocktail is perfect for those hot summer days!

Ingredients:

• 7 ½ pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 teaspoons superfine sugar
• 6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
• 24 basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
• 6 cups small ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and freeze at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
2. Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.  (You should have 3 cups.)
3. Place tequila and basil in a PartyTime Rentals stainless steel pitcher and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in the watermelon juice and triple sec.
4. Place watermelon cubes in PartyTime Rentals margarita glasses. Using a cocktail shaker, mix ¾ cup margarita with 1 cup ice.  Strain into glass.    Serve garnished with basil.

RUM PUNCH

With one sip of this rum punch, your guests will be transported to the islands of the Caribbean!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups light rum
• 3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 3 cups fresh pineapple juice
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• 2 tablespoons grenadine
• Ice cubes
• 1 lime, thinly sliced, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large PartyTime Rentals pitcher, combine the rum, juices and grenadine. Stir until well blended.
2. Fill PartyTime Rentals Hi-Ball glasses with ice; divide mixture between glasses.
3. Garnish with lime and serve immediately. Makes about 8 cups

LEMON DROPS ON THE ROCKS

This adult version of lemonade is sure to be a hit at your next backyard summer party!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups vodka
• 2 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice (10 to 12 lemons)
• ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons superfine sugar
• Ice
• Thin lemon slices, halved, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine vodka, lemon juice and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Transfer to an ice-filled PartyTime Rentals stainless steel or plastic pitcher.
3. Add lemon slices and serve. Makes about 6 cups.

HONEYDEW FIZZ

Honeydew is a wonderfully delicious summer fruit and this cocktail is just as satisfying!

Ingredients:

• ½ large honeydew melon (about 3 pounds)
• ½ cup Midori or other melon liqueur
• 1 cup seltzer water, chilled

Directions:

1. With a large spoon, scrape out and discard honeydew seeds. Using a ¾ inch melon baller, scoop out 10 melon balls and place in a large sealable plastic container.  Pour Midori over melon balls; transfer to freezer and let macerate about 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, place remaining honeydew in a blender and puree until smooth. Let stand until juice settles to the bottom of the blender and foam rises to the top.  Skim off foam and measure out ½ cup juice.
3. Remove honeydew-ball mixture from freezer; stir in juice and seltzer. Divide evenly between two cocktail glasses; serve immediately.

PINK SALTY DOG

Add this wonderfully sweet and sour drink to the cocktail menu for your next summer party and your guests will love every drop!

Ingredients:

• Coarse salt, for rim of glass
• Grapefruit slice, for garnish
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
• 2 tablespoons vodka
• 1 tablespoon Campari liqueur or grenadine
• 1 to 1 ½ cups ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place salt in a saucer. Moisten the rim of a PartyTime Rentals Signature All Purpose glass with a grapefruit slice. 
2. Dip rim in salt
3. Combine juice and vodka with Campari or grenadine in the jar of a blender; blend.
4. With the motor running, add ice until fully incorporated and slushy.
5. Pour into prepared glass.

Please take a look at our glassware rentals for your next event.