I’m very saddened to say this, but summer is coming to an end. Before we know it, that warm summer sun is going to be masked by cold breezes and winter clothing, meaning that our drinking habits need to change slightly to go along with the season. As much as we’d love to continue drinking mojitos and sparkling sangria all winter long, it isn’t very conducive to that chilly weather going on outside. Dry your eyes boozers, we still have some time left!
Summer isn’t officially over until the end of September, but as we all know, Labor Day is emotionally the last day of summer season, celebrated with barbecues, pool parties and an emphasis on soaking up those last few days of warm-weather drinking. It’s also a great day to make drinks that are more fall-friendly, so get creative!
Cocktail image via Shutterstock
To keep in the theme of warm weather, iced drinks are a no-brainer. However, your ingredients should start to lean towards more fall-friendly. Think black cherries, blueberries, blackberries and egg whites. Bitters are also great ingredients to incorporate, as they bring an intense amount of flavor as well as add warmth to the drink.
Below are some great cocktails for your Labor Day partying, all of which will also prepare you for the long road of cold weather ahead. Have any Labor Day cocktails that you love? Let us know what they are in the comments below. Cheers!
Black Cherry Mule
Courtesy of The Cocktail Enthusiast½ oz Belvedere Vodka
6-7 fresh black cherries
Dash of simple syrup
½ oz lime juice
Dash Peychaud’s Bitters
Ginger Beer
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cherries. Add in the rest of the ingredients except for the ginger beer, and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with the ginger beer, and garnish with a cherry.
Milano Torino
Courtesy of Imbibe2 oz Campari
2 oz Punt e Mes
Ice
Combine all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir well and garnish with an orange slice.
Red Hook
Courtesy of Imbibe, created by Enzo Errico, Milk & Honey, NYC2 oz rye whiskey
½ oz Punt e Mes
½ oz maraschino liqueur
Cracked ice
In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients over ice. Stir for at least 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Wild Blueberry Cosmo
Courtesy of Club Planet2 oz Cold River Vodka
½ oz Cointreau
1 oz Wyman’s Chilled Blueberry Juice
1 Orange slice
Blueberries
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cocktail skewer with blueberries and an orange twist.
Caramel Apple
Courtesy of Club Planet1 ½ oz Sake
1 ½ oz TY KU Liqueur
1 oz Apple Juice
½ oz Apple Schnapps
½ oz Caramel syrup (sugar-free)
1 Apple slice
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously and pour into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an apple slice and a drizzle of caramel syrup.
Cherry Bomb
Courtesy of Club Planet(Serves 20)
2 L Campari
4 L SKYY Infusions Citrus
3 lbs cherries, steamed and macerated
¼ lb Dried apricots
In a giant punch bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir well and serve in individual cocktail glasses. Garnish with cherries.
Comments
Sommer
Looking for a cocktail that is not too sweet, has a burgundy or ruby color and can be served as a signature cocktail at a dinner party. Probably a vodka base.
Aug 28, 2012 at 2:54 PM
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