When the sun shines bright and the temperature rises, there’s nothing quite like sipping on a delicious, ice-cold cocktail to beat the heat. While classics like margaritas and mojitos have always been go-to choices, this summer brings a wave of exciting trends that bartenders and experts are raving about. From mocktails and low-ABV options to innovative flavor combinations, we’ve got the inside scoop on the trendiest summer cocktails that are set to enhance your customers’ drinking experience.
Low-ABV Options
As low-ABV choices continue to gain popularity, more people are seeking out mocktails and wine-based options. These guilt-free drinks offer all the same flavor and refreshment with a lower-ABV. Embrace the trend and treat your customers to these delightful cocktails!
Cantaloupe Paloma:
Combining Zapotec Espadin Agave Wine with jasmine-infused agave syrup and fresh lemon juice, and cantaloupe juice. The result? A refreshing and smoky delight that captures the essence of summer.
Ingredients:
¾ oz. jasmine-infused agave syrup
¾ oz. lemon juice
3 oz. Zapotec Espadín Agave Wine (wine-based Mezcal)
1½ oz. cantaloupe juice
4 oz. club soda
Combine all the ingredients except the club soda in a tin shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Add club soda to the tin, then pour the cocktail into a highball with ice and a salt rim.
Mezcalita Bianca:
The Mezcalita Bianca offers a taste of paradise with mezcal, pineapple, orange juice, and a surprising secret ingredient—Carandini Bianca Sweet White Vinegar. This perfectly balanced cocktail packs a flavor punch that will leave your patrons craving another sip. Embrace the simplicity and accessibility of ordinary ingredients transformed into a tropical escape.
Ingredients:
3 oz. Zapotec Espadín Agave Wine (wine-based Mezcal)
¾ oz. pineapple
¾ oz. orange juice
½ oz. Carandini Bianca Sweet White Vinegar
3 oz. soda water
Build over crushed ice in a Collins glass. Garnish with an orange half-moon and pineapple fronds.
Cinque Stelle Blackberry Spritz:
Join the growing trend of low-ABV cocktails with this elegant drink. Savor the tangy sweetness of blackberries combined with the bright citrus notes of Le’ Cello. Topped with Cinque Stelle Prosecco and garnished with a sprig of thyme, this low-alcohol creation is the ideal companion for lazy summer afternoons.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Le’ Cello Lemon Specialty
¾ oz. lemon juice
4 ripe blackberries
1 thyme sprig
Muddle blackberries and lemon juice in a tin, then add Le’ Cello lemon specialty and ice. Shake and fine-strain into an ice-filled white wine glass. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a blackberry, lemon peel, and/or thyme sprig.
Aguacero:
Escape to a Hawaiian paradise with every sip of the Aguacero — a tropical storm of flavor that defies expectations.
Ingredients:
2 oz. El Guitarron Especial (wine-based Reposado Tequila)
1 oz. Zapotec Espadín Agave Wine (wine-based Mezcal)
½ oz. C. Cassis
½ oz. macadamia orgeat
¾ oz. lime juice
2 dashes hopped grapefruit bitters
Combine ingredients in a tin over ice, shake, then strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint and a grapefruit slice.
Ojos Verdes:
Step into a realm where the Espadín Agave Wine takes center stage, showcasing its smoky and earthy agave notes. This drink is an intricate blend of flavors that dance on your palate, leaving you craving more with every sip. The fresh cucumber and jalapeño bring a refreshing twist, balancing out the intensity and adding a hint of coolness to the fiery sensation.
Ingredients:
¾ oz. fresh cucumber and jalapeño juice
2 oz. Zapotec Espadín Agave Wine (wine-based Mezcal)
1 oz. Grand Ma’ Triple L’ Orange (wine-based Orange Liqueur)
¾ oz. lime juice
¼ oz. agave syrup
To make the juice: Slice the ends off a few large cucumbers, roughly chop, then add to a juicer. Add one seeded, roughly chopped jalapeño to the juicer. Store in the refrigerator.
To make the cocktail: Shake all ingredients in a tin and strain into a salt and Tajín-rimmed rocks glass with one piece of block ice.
So, bartenders, dive into the world of the trendiest summer cocktails. Surprise and delight your customers with each refreshing sip. Your skill, passion, and willingness to embrace these exciting trends will create an unforgettable summer experience for all who step into your establishment. Contact us today to learn more about our wine-based products!
