5 Drinks to Say Goodbye to SummerBest end-of-summer drinks

Labor Day is almost here, and with it comes the official end of summer. For most people, it’s their last chance to host a BBQ or picnic before fall arrives. Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with these nine mocktails and cocktails:

1. Ginger peach sangria

This summery sangria is made with refreshing ginger juice, mint, and basil.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle white wine
  • 1 cup Marnier
  • 4 peaches sliced
  • Splash of ginger juice
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • A handful of mint and basil
  • Ice

Directions:

  • Stir all ingredients together in a pitcher.
  • Chill until you’re ready to serve.

2. Rosemary blueberry smash

This mocktail combines fresh blueberries with rosemary for a refreshing and unique beverage.

Ingredients:

  • 7-8 blueberries
  • 1 ounce honey syrup
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 4 ounces sparkling mineral water
  • 1 rosemary sprig
  • Ice

Directions:

  • Muddle blueberries, rosemary leaves, and honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker
  • Add lemon juice, cover with ice and shake for 10 seconds
  • Strain and top with sparkling water, then stir

3. Grapefruit Paloma

If you love margaritas, then you’ll love this grapefruit Paloma — it’s a little tangy and sweet.

Ingredients:

  • 4 ounces tequila
  • 1-ounce fresh lime juice
  • 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1-ounce club soda
  • 3 tablespoons simple syrup
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • Zest of one lime
  • 1/4 cup white sugar

Directions:

  • To make the simple syrup, pour ¼ cup lime juice and ¼ cup water into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat and wait until it begins to boil. Then add the ½ cup sugar and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • To make the lime sugar, pour ¼ cup sugar into a bowl, and then add the lime zest. Mix together until well combined. Then rub a slice of grapefruit on the rim of the glass to dampen it, and then press down into the sugar mixture. Set the glasses aside.
  • In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and lime simple syrup. Then add a pinch of salt, and shake to combine.
  • Pour the mixture over ice into the rimmed glasses.
  • Top with club soda, and then stir to combine.
  • Serve and enjoy.

4. Coconut cucumber cooler

This flavorful nonalcoholic drink combines refreshing mint with ultra-hydrating coconut water and cucumbers that are sure to reinvigorate you.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/8 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup of chopped mint

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a shaker, then shake, serve over ice, and enjoy

5. Guava Mojitos

This delicious guava mojito has a yummy tropical flavor — perfect for saying goodbye to summer.

Ingredients:

  • A handful of mint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 can of guava nectar
  • 2 ounces white rum
  • Splash of sparkling water

Directions:

  • Muddle together the mint, sugar, and lime in a cocktail shaker.
  • Add the guava nectar, rum, and some ice to the shaker.
  • Shake everything up, and then evenly divide the mixture between two glasses.
  • Add a splash of sparkling water on top.

6. Virgin Moscow mule

Nothing says summer like a Moscow mule. Enjoy this alcohol-free version that uses ginger ale and club soda.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup ginger ale
  • 2 ounces club soda
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon simple syrup
  • Ice

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake for 60 minutes
  • Pour into a glass and serve

7. Lemon blueberry martini

Take full advantage of berry season with this unique spin on the traditional martini.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large strawberry
  • 5 large blueberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 ounce berry-flavored vodka
  • 1/2 ounce limoncello
  • 4 ounces brut champagne

Directions:

  • Add the strawberry and blueberries to a cocktail shaker and muddle them.
  • Then add the sugar, pour in the vodka, and limoncello, stirring to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into a martini glass and top with champagne.

8. Pomegranate berry sparkler

This mocktail is fresh and fruity, incorporating berries, pomegranate, and cranberries — yum!

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces berry sparkling water
  • 1 ounce pomegranate juice
  • 2-3 cranberries
  • Blueberries for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients in a shaker
  • Shake lightly and serve
  • Garnish with blueberries and serve

9. Tropical sunset

This cocktail combines all the best flavors of summer — mangoes, peaches, and strawberries.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup frozen mangoes
  • 1 cup frozen peaches
  • ¼ cup sliced strawberries
  • 2 shots vodka

Directions:

  • Bring water to a simmer in a pot, and then melt the sugar in it.
  • Turn the heat down low, stirring occasionally, and let it thicken for 5 minutes.
  • Then add the fruit to the sugar mixture, allowing it to sit in the liquid for ten minutes.
  • Add the vodka, stir, and remove from heat.
  • Drain the liquid through a mesh sieve into a bowl, and then place the liquid into a larger bowl that contains ice.
  • Place in the freezer for ten minutes.
  • Then pour the liquid into a shaker with ice, shake, and then serve.
References
  1. "3 Cocktails to End Summer the Best Way Possible,” Redbook, August 29, 2014.
  2. “20 Labor Day Drinks To Toast Summer Goodbye At Your Last Barbecue Of The Year,” Bustle, August 28, 2016.
  3. “17 Perfect Poolside Cocktails for Labor Day,” Town & Country, August 22, 2017.

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