5 Cocktails for Warm Weather Fun!

Now that spring's hitting full swing and summer right around the corner, nothing hits the spot quite like a refreshing cocktail. But if you’re anything like me, you can quickly overdo it on the classics—the G&Ts, Margaritas, etc.—and become pretty bored. So, with plenty of heat and outdoor entertaining on the horizon, why not find some new favorites? 

Whatever the occasion, these 5 tried & true favorites rely on staples from our spirits section and are easy to make. Start experimenting and see what you like! 

Rosé Refresher
4 oz Ferrandière ‘Brody’ Rosé
1 oz Giffard Crème de Pamplemousse (grapefruit liqueur)
½ oz Aloo Gin or Porter’s ‘Modern Classic’ Gin

This is summer in a (wine) glass! Combine rosé, grapefruit liqueur, & gin in a wine glass. Add ice, stir gently, and garnish with cucumber slice. (This cocktail can be adapted to suit any clear spirit—tequila, mezcal, vodka, you name it!—although, for me, a crisp gin is the most refreshing choice. It’s also easy to scale up for a garden party or BBQ.)

Negroni Bianco
1 oz Drouin ‘Le Gin de Christian Drouin’
1 oz Salers 'Gentian Aperitif'
1 oz Alma de Trabanco 'Quinquina en Rama'

The classic Negroni Bianco recipe usually calls for Lillet Blanc and Suze, but I prefer the less saccharine combination of Salers & Alma de Trabanco—a fascinating Basque vermouth made from a base of both wine and cider. The result is less bracingly botanical & offers a funky, fruity, round profile, especially when combined with Drouin’s ‘Le Gin de Christian Drouin,’ which is also made from apples. It couldn’t be easier to make: combine ingredients in a mixing glass over cracked ice. Stir for approximately 30 revolutions with a bar spoon. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon twist. (If you prefer your cocktail more or less bitter, adjust ratio of Salers to Alma de Trabanco.) 

Mezcal Mule
2 oz Rey Campero Mezcal Espadín Joven
½ oz lime juice (if you can’t be bothered to measure, the juice of a decent-sized wedge is fine)
6 oz ginger beer

A mule isn’t anything new—but the most often consumed variety, the Moscow Mule, uses flavorless vodka instead of something that can add depth and complexity to the cocktail. Enter: the Mezcal mule. Squeeze lime juice into copper mug or collins glass. Add ice cubes, then pour in mezcal and fill with ginger beer. Stir to combine. Garnish with lime. For a slightly stronger drink (my personal preference) cut the ginger beer quantity by a third. 

El Diablo
1.5 oz Cimarrón Tequila Reposado
½ oz Jacoulot Crème de Cassis de Dijon
½ oz freshly-squeezed lime juice
3 oz ginger beer

If you love margaritas but want to try a new tequila-based cocktail this spring & summer, you can’t go wrong with ‘El Diablo,’ which makes use of barrel-rested tequila along with one of our favorite Burgundian liqueurs. Add the tequila, crème de cassis, & lime juice to a cocktail shaker over cracked ice and shake until well-chilled. Strained into a collins glass (a rocks glass also works in a pinch) over fresh ice, and top with the ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Whiskey & Lemonade
1 part Cardinal Spirits Bourbon or Union Horse ‘Reunion’ Single Barrel Rye Store Pick
2-3 parts lemonade, depending on personal preference
sprig of mint

Call it whatever you want, but it doesn’t get much simpler & more refreshing than this! Muddle a few mint leaves at the bottom of a rocks glass. Add ice, combine bourbon & lemonade, then stir gently until chilled & combined. Garnish with mint. The Cardinal Spirits Bourbon will result in a sweeter, softer drink, while the high-proof Single Barrel rye will cut through more, add spice, and shouldn’t require nearly as much whiskey in the ration. The choice is up to you! 

To help you stock up on whatever you need, all the products mentioned in these recipes are collected below—if you try any of these cocktails, please let us know what you think on Instagram!