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Summertime Sips: August's Most Popular Cocktail Recipes

drinks

By Victoria M.

- Aug 14, 2024

As the final fiery days of August unfold, signaling the imminent end of the summer season, we continue to entertain with cocktail classics and summertime favorites to keep our elusive summer vibes afloat. Whether you're hosting a late-summer barbeque and adding a trendy twist to your beverages with a Dirty Martini Spritz, or more in tune with a laid-back Ginger-Lemon Tonic, this list of the season's top cocktail recipes ensures a stylish farewell to summer.

Making its first appearance in the quaint northern Italian township of Naturno, near the Austrian boundary, the Hugo Spritz was crafted by bartender Roland Gruber as the summer's ultimate spritz sensation. The distinct floral notes of the spritz are punctuated by the double hit of bubbles from both Prosecco and sparkling water.

Orienting towards a more legendary cocktail, we recommend the charmingly named drink, embraced eagerly by elderly Italian gentlemen to the point of wobbling home on bicycles. Ideally served with a dry Italian Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, this simple and joyful concoction is a sure crowd-pleaser.

For the non-drinkers amongst us, F&W Assistant Editor Lucy Simon suggests a drink inspired by her grandmother-a spicy ginger and tart lemon mix that soothes and exhilarates in equal measure. This three-ingredient cocktail promises a rewarding respite from a traditional Gin & Tonic.

Finding a way to elevate leftovers, a spritz infused with the invigorating flavor of shiso leaves is a perfect way to utilize extra red wine. For an intensified flavor, try adding red wine vinegar or red verjus for a fruity twist.

Revisiting a classic, we look to Cuba and the legendary Hemingway Daiquiri. Allegedly dating back to the 1930s and born in the famous El Floridita, this cocktail, sweetened predominantly with maraschino liqueur, boasts a fascinating history tied to iconic writer Ernest Hemingway.

Using a light-bodied dry style of Port from Portugal’s Douro Valley, the simple yet robust 'White Port and Tonic' is another favorite low-alcohol cocktail. Demonstrating the classic characteristics of a highball, it is light and refreshing with a powerful flavor profile.

Challenging the familiarity of a Dirty Martini, the Dirty Martini Spritz is a refreshing take on an old favorite. To increase the sweetness, substitute dry vermouth for Italian vermouth bianco, also known as vermouth blanc.

Finally, elevate your French 75 with a simple rosé syrup, taking it from classic to beach-ready in seconds. Any remaining syrup can be drizzled over desserts or used to concoct a low-ABV highball with club soda. The recipes provided here are sure to close summer with style and flavor, carrying us into autumn with fond and flavorsome memories.