Garden Fresh
Strawberry, Basil and Vanilla Bean Mojito
"The vanilla bean in this mojito adds a creamy balance that seems to weave together the tart berries and the 'herbaceousness' of the basil," says Christina Sleeper, chef and chief operating officer for Sleeper's Gourmet. Run 1 pound of strawberries through a food processor. Place 3 fresh, muddled basil sprigs in a highball glass and add 1 ounce of the mashed strawberries. Add 2 ounces rum, a dab of vanilla bean paste to taste, then fill to the brim with club soda. Garnish with half a strawberry and a basil leaf.
MORE: Pink Lemonade Cocktail
Rosemary Cucumber Lemonade
This refreshing rosemary cucumber lemonade can be prepared with or without the vodka. To make, in a shaker with ice, add the following ingredients: 2 ounces vodka, 1 1/2 ounces cucumber juice, 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup and 3 ounces lemonade. "Shake well and pour contents over fresh ice using a strainer," says Dan Scheuring, mixologist at Blue Plate Catering in Chicago. "Garnish with a cucumber slice and sprig of rosemary."
Elderflower Sour With Fresh Mint
If rosemary cucumber lemonade isn't your thing, perhaps you'll enjoy an elderflower sour. "It's a grownup lemonade with a fancy twist," says Mark Addison, founder of EventStyle, a firm for celebrity events and galas. "The infusion of elderflower adds a floral note, similar in quality to a fine fragrance." Combine 2 ounces vodka, 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur and 2 1/2 ounces lemonade. Shake vigorously, strain and garnish with fresh mint from the garden.
MORE: 10 Summer Cocktails
Tangerine-Mint Bubble Bliss
If you're lucky enough to grow citrus in your backyard, give this tangerine-mint bubble bliss cocktail a try. Sleeper says to "muddle and macerate three small tangerines in a bowl," removing any seeds as you go. Next add a sprig of mint, 1 ounce lemon vodka and 1 ounce of freshly squeezed tangerine juice to a champagne glass. Fill just under the brim with champagne (or Prosecco, Sleeper says) and garnish with a twist of tangerine peel.
Watermelon Rum Punch
Few things are as refreshing as watermelon. Add a little rum to the mix, as food and drink blogger Valerie Rice suggests, and you've got the perfect summer beverage. Combine 4 cups of diced watermelon with 1/8 cup sugar and the juice of 1 lime. Mash until all the watermelon is flattened and the juice is extracted. Add 4 cups of water and then strain into another pitcher. Add 2 ounces rum, pour over ice and garnish with lime.
Frozen Cucumberita
This refreshing cucumber version of a margarita is perfect for a hot summer day. "In a small bowl or food processor, pulverize two small cucumbers until they are a juice consistency," Sleeper says. In a cocktail blender, fill with ice and add 8 ounces tequila, 6 ounces Cointreau, your cucumber juice and the juice of 4 limes. Pulse and blend to your desired consistency, then pour into sea salt-rimmed glasses with cucumber and lime garnishes.
