Splash into the warm weather with fruity drinks

Of-agers, put the six-pack back in the fridge this summer and start experimenting with different… Of-agers, put the six-pack back in the fridge this summer and start experimenting with different types of alcohol that are more refreshing in the heat. Fruity alcoholic beverages work perfectly as a porch drink, with a meal or on their own.

Drinks with a fruity twist are more difficult to make, but their taste pays off in the end. These alcoholic beverages are a fun way to freshen up summer evenings, and though there will always be a place for beer in the fridge, these are a good alternative for occasions that call for a beverage outside the spectrum of your favorite lager.

Sangria

Ingredients

Assortment of fruit

1 standard bottle of red wine (merlot or pinot noir work best)

1 standard bottle of dry white wine (chardonnay or pinot grigio)

1 cup rum

1/2 cup sugar

Ice for serving

Chill all of the alcoholic ingredients while cutting up the fruits in attractive shapes. Once the wine has chilled, place the fruit in a small bowl. Then mix all of the wine and rum in a separate, larger bowl. Dissolve the 1/2 cup sugar into 1/2 cup of water and add it to the alcohol. Finally, add the fruit on top, and refrigerate the drink for one or two hours. This will help the fruit to infuse with the liquids. This recipe makes just under 2 liters of sangria, and should not be consumed alone.

Note: Consider using citrus-flavored rum to add more zest to the sangria. Or in place of 1 cup rum, split it in half with 1/2 cup flavored vodka. Though not necessary, this offers the chance to use more than one type of alcohol.

Grapefruit Sparklers

Ingredients

3 ounces grapefruit juice

2 ounces cranberry juice

3 ounces gin

2 ounces lemon-lime soda

lime zest

Combine the grapefruit and cranberry juices over ice, then top the mixture off with the gin. Stir well. Next, add the lime zest and the lemon-lime soda to create fizziness. This recipes makes one beverage, so make sure to have enough ingredients to make a couple if you’re entertaining company.

Note: For a fizzier taste, combine all of the ingredients at once on ice, then shake instead of stirring. This will create a thicker, frothier beverage.