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Memorial Day drinks
Memorial Day is almost here. With it comes poolside parties and BBQs. And any Memorial Day event isn't complete without a few refreshing cocktails thrown into the mix. Here are six tasty and refreshing Memorial Day cocktails you should make to help commemorate the three day weekend:
Watermelon sangria

1. Watermelon sangria

This refreshing cocktail is made with watermelon and other summertime fruits. The recipe below yields 10 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large watermelon
  • 1 bottle of white wine
  • 2 cups of white rum
  • 1 cup seltzer water
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 2 limes sliced thinly
  • 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup of frozen blueberries

Directions:

  • Slice up the watermelon and scoop out the fruit inside
  • Transfer the watermelon chunks to a blender
  • Blend the watermelon until smooth and then strain any seeds
  • Pour the watermelon juice into a large pitcher
  • Add the white wine, rum seltzer water, and lime juice, and stir until combined
  • Then add the lime slices and frozen fruit
  • Refrigerate for two hours and then serve
Strawberry pink lemonade

2. Strawberry pink lemonade

This spiked lemonade is made with rose wine, vodka, and fresh strawberries. The recipe yields below six servings.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of sparkling rose wine
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 1 can frozen lemonade
  • 1/2 cup club soda
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 3 thinly sliced lemons

Directions:

  • In a large pitcher, combine the wine, vodka, lemonade, club soda, strawberries and lemon slices
  • Stir and refrigerate for two hours, and then serve
Blackberry Mojito

3. Blackberry Mojito

This cocktail is a spin on the traditional mojito -- fresh blackberries give it a sweet kick. The recipe below yields two servings.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
  • A handful of fresh mint leaves
  • 2 juiced limes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup white rum
  • Crushed ice
  • Club soda

Directions:

  • Muddle the fresh blackberries in a small bowl
  • Take two glasses, and place some mint at the bottom of each one
  • Divide and spoon the blackberries on top
  • Add some crushed ice to each glass
  • In a larger glass, combine the rum, sugar and lime juice
  • Stir together to combine
  • Then pour the mixture into each of the two glasses
  • Top with club soda and serve
Tequila sunset

4. Tequila sunset

This cocktail officially marks the start of summer. The recipe below yields one serving.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 1 1/2 ounces tequila
  • 1/2 cup grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 ounce grenadine
  • Maraschino cherries

Directions:

  • Fill a glass with ice, tequila, and juice
  • Add the grenadine
  • Garnish with some maraschino cherries and serve
Cucumber Margarita

5. Cucumber Margarita

This ultra-refreshing margarita is made with cucumber-infused vodka and lime juice. The recipe below yields one serving.

Ingredients:

  • Salt
  • Ice
  • 2 1/2 ounces cucumber-infused tequila
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 slice cucumber

Directions:

  • Wet the rim of a margarita glass with water and dip it in salt
  • Fill the glass with ice
  • Using a cocktail shaker, combine the cucumber-infused tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup and then shake well
  • Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a cucumber slice
Peach Sweet Tea

6. Peach Sweet Tea

This traditional southern summer cocktail contains bourbon, peaches, and lemon. The recipe below yields one serving.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 2 ounces peach preserves
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • Dash of Aperol
  • Sweet tea
  • Sprig of thyme
  • Lemon round

Directions:

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, peach preserves, Aperol, and lemon juice until well blended
  • Fill a glass with ice and pour the cocktail into the glass
  • Top with sweet tea and garnish with thyme and lemon round

Here's to the start of summer!

Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the start of summer. Celebrate it by drinking a few refreshing cocktails with friends while hanging out by the pool or grilling up some yummy foods. You won't go wrong trying out any of the above recipes.

References
  1. "15 Memorial Day Cocktails You Should Make," Cosmopolitan, May 24, 2013.
  2. "18 Must-Try Memorial Day Cocktails," Delish, May 22, 2017.
  3. "18 Refreshing Drinks to Mix for Memorial Day," Serious Eats, n.d.

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