Liquor Cabinet Roulette

We don’t need to tell you that sparkling wine is amazing in cocktails. Even a small splash of bubbles can brighten up a drink, enlivening its flavors and making it feel an awful lot more festive. We rarely see sparkling rosé called for in cocktails; but why not give it a try?

Let’s hold onto these last days of summer drinking. Bring on the light, refreshing cocktails—drinks that are simple to make and easy to enjoy. For all of the above, Lillet Blanc is a no-brainer.

In these dog days of summer, the Pimm’s Cup is a lifesafer. Simple enough to make without breaking a sweat, low-proof enough to drink your way through the afternoon. We’re huge fans of the classic Cup, whether the original, two-ingredient drink or a souped-up, boozed-up version.

As a rule, flavored vodkas aren’t really our thing. (What’s better than blueberry-flavored vodka? Real blueberries and vodka. You get the idea.) But once in awhile we come across a product that proves all our preconceptions wrong. Such is the case with the Green Chile Vodka, made by St. George Spirits in northern California.

Port, in the summer? If you’re thinking of port as dark, rich, and more suited to colder seasons, you’re thinking of ruby and tawny ports, the styles more familiar to most drinkers. White port, on the other hand, is a different beast. It’s juicy, light-bodied with a balanced sweetness.

In summer especially, we’re all about fruit cocktails. Contrary to popular belief, fruit cocktails don’t have to be sweet or unsophisticated. Chefs and pastry chefs alike embrace fruit in all its forms; why should the term “fruity drink” be disparaging?

The cocktail world is in the midst of a full-on frozen drink renaissance. Once upon a time, slushy cocktails were looked down upon, with some justification; the frozen daiquiris and margs of years past were often made from corn syrup-filled mixes and bottom-shelf spirits.

Turmeric: It’s officially A Thing. Turmeric lattes are as popular as matcha; turmeric cocktails are popping up at bars across the country. And while there’s nothing wrong with using the root itself, we’ve found a much easier way to incorporate the flavor in drinks: Turmeric cordial.

I’m all about lighter spirits like gin and tequila during the summer — but just because the weather’s warmer doesn’t mean you need to stash away the bourbon. When properly mixed, the whiskey can be a great foundation for summer cocktails.

On a hot summer evening, the Dark & Stormy is as crave-able as it gets. Spicy ginger beer spiked with dark rum, with a little squeeze of lime to cut those strong flavors; there’s a reason it’s such a classic.