With summer just around the corner, here are five trendy cocktails to look out for.

Aperol Spritz

Because this is The Spritz Effect, I had to begin with the classic Aperol Spritz. This cocktail, though it has a unique (and sometimes divisive) flavor, has become a trendy summertime staple. The traditional Italian recipe follows a 3-2-1 ratio – 3 parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part club soda. However, some recipes suggest equal parts prosecco to Aperol, topped with a splash of club soda. 

The proportions can be adjusted to personal preference, but every Aperol Spritz needs an orange to garnish. This Italian classic has become a favorite picture-perfect cocktail, and with a color like this, I can see why. 

Watermelon Frozé

Frozé has spent many summers in the spotlight, but this recipe updates the seasonal favorite with a fruity twist. Watermelon is the trendy flavor for summer 2021, appearing in many new seltzer packs and liquor infusions. Fresh watermelon purée and watermelon flavored vodka will elevate your basic frozé for those warm summer days. 

The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker makes frozé a breeze. For this recipe, which makes 2-3 glasses of frosé, I used about half a bottle of rosé. Then, I added a cup of watermelon purée, a fourth cup of watermelon vodka, and sweetened the juice to taste with agave nectar. After around 15-20 minutes in the ice cream maker, the frozen drink was ready to serve. Garnish with a watermelon slice, and enjoy! 

Alternatively, the liquid can be poured into ice molds, frozen, then blended to create the perfect consistency.

Pimm’s Cup

Let’s hop back across the pond to England, where the Pimm’s Cup has been served for almost 200 years. This drink is composed of Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur that is fruity, botanical and to some, quite medicinal. But to Pimm’s lovers, this is a refreshing summer cocktail.

Combine 2 ounces of Pimm’s No. 1 with a squeeze of lemon juice (about ½ ounce) and top with Ginger Ale. The traditional garnishes for this drink include cucumber, lime, lemon, and strawberries – but you can toss in whatever fruits you have on hand. 

Fans of the Aperol Spritz should give the Pimm’s Cup a try. This lesser known liqueur based cocktail is equally delightful for the summer, without the fluorescent orange color.

Summer Sangria

This cocktail is both picture-perfect and pitcher-perfect, which means you can make it in a large batch ahead of time and pull it out when you’re ready to serve! I love make-ahead pitcher drinks, particularly sangria, because they are so easy. Just toss together your wine, sliced fruits and liquor of choice.

Food Network’s White Sangria is a necessity for your next summer party. Or for yourself, because sometimes you just have one of those days. Combine 2 bottles of white wine with a cup of brandy and add sliced oranges, limes and lemons. This recipe also calls for ¼ cup of superfine sugar, but this can be adjusted according to personal preference! I like to let the citrus infuse for a few hours before serving while the drink chills in the refrigerator. 

Mango Margarita

This is another twist on a classic cocktail using a seasonal fruit, mango! I recommend puréeing your mango with an immersion blender, but combining the ingredients in a regular blender will work great too. If you want to forego the blending process altogether, look for pre-made mango purée at your grocery/liquor store. 

Add 2 oz of silver tequila, 1 oz of triple sec or cointreau, 2 oz of mango pureé and ¾ oz of lime juice to your shaker with ice. Shake until well combined, then pour over fresh ice into your salt rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy this refreshing fruity drink!


Which one of these 5 trendy cocktails will you be trying this summer?

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