The year is moving by very quickly. Can you believe that August is almost over? Before you know it, you’ll be wishing your family and friends season’s greetings in December. But before that happens, let’s focus on enjoying the tasty cocktails we have this August. These cocktails feature everything from fresh fruit and chile to various boozy, tropical flavours. Here are five essential cocktails you need to try before August ends.
Five Cocktails To Try Before August Ends
1. Brown Derby
Wind down with some whiskey in the Brown Derby cocktail. The classic cocktail mixes bourbon with grapefruit juice and honey syrup for a sweet and sour cocktail that’s perfect for enjoying with dinner or as a lighter nightcap. Try this recipe now to find out what all the hype is about.
Ingredients
- 45 ml bourbon
- 30 ml fresh grapefruit juice
- 15 ml honey syrup
- Grapefruit twist to garnish
- Cocktail glass
Method
- To make the honey syrup, add half cup honey and half cup water to a small saucepan over medium heat. (You can experiment and decide how much of a honey flavour you want in your syrup. The more honey you use, the thicker the syrup and stronger in flavor it will be.) Stir until blended. Strain into a jar and seal tightly with a lid. It will keep for a month in the refrigerator.
- Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.
- Fine-strain into a cocktail glass.
- Express the oil from a grapefruit twist and drop in to garnish (or garnish with a grapefruit wedge).
2. Devil’s Margarita
There are times when a regular Margarita just won’t cut it. Luckily, this sinful cocktail is here to satisfy all your devilish cravings. This tasty twist on the tequila classic calls for red wine, a dash of colour and a little earthiness. You should also skip the salted rim as it clashes with the wine’s acidity.
Ingredients
- 45 ml tequila
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 22 ml simple syrup
- 15 ml red wine
Method
- In a pint glass, add the tequila, lime juice and syrup with ice and shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
- Float the red wine over the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
3. Green Beast
Great for sharing, this punch is ideal for large get-togethers. Plus, the recipe is so simple, you’ll be able to whip up a batch in no time, so you can entertain with ease.
Ingredients
- 30 ml absinthe
- 120 ml water
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 30 ml simple syrup
- Cucumber slices to garnish
- Collins glass
Method
- Add all ingredients to a Collins glass with ice.
- Garnish with 4 cucumber slices and stir.
- *This recipe can be multiplied to fill a large punch bowl.
4. Painkiller
A twist on the Piña Colada, the Painkiller cocktail is a rich and fruity tropical drink that’s a speciality of the British Virgin Islands. Rum, pineapple and orange juice, and cream of coconut are all you need to conjure up visions of white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Then top it all off with grated nutmeg, a pineapple wedge and a straw for true tropical appeal.
Ingredients
- 60 ml rum
- 120 ml pineapple juice
- 30 ml orange juice
- 30 ml cream of coconut
- Grated nutmeg to garnish
- Pineapple wedge to garnish
- Hurricane or snifter glass
Method
- Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a hurricane glass or snifter over crushed ice.
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a pineapple wedge.
- Serve with a straw.
5. S*x on the Beach
S*x on the Beach sports a provocative name for a harmless fruity cocktail. It’s easy to make and even easier to drink, so it’s perfect for your next tropical vacation or cocktail party.
Ingredients
- 45 ml vodka
- 15 ml peach schnapps
- 45 ml orange or pineapple juice
- 45 ml cranberry juice
- 15 ml Chambord or crème de cassis (optional)
- Cocktail umbrella to garnish
- Highball glass
Method
- Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a cocktail umbrella.
Which of these August cocktails have you tried or would you love to try? Let us know in the comments below.