5 TOP REFRESHING SUMMER DRINKS

This article is a tribute to the few perfect days, those in which the sun plays along and we finally get to enjoy a grill with the family in the garden or swimming with friends in the Uni See, fishing in the Weser, reading under some trees in the park. Those good days deserve a toast! So I decided to share five of my favorite drinks to put our glasses up for what remains of this summer. I hope you like the inspiration and if you are open to trying them, then Prost! Cheers! Salud! and so on…

1. Using the queen berry from nature: the Blackberry Mojito

I just love how the only thing you need to get these quality berries is to go for a walk through Bremen. Incredible that we can still use an ingredient harvested personally and surely not far from home. The search for Blackberries is something that brings me instant satisfaction, I feel like it’s part of some survival skills, like Hunger Games style. Anyways, open your eyes between the weeds around you and you will definitely find the treasure.

INGREDIENTS

40 ML Bacardi (any rum or non would do)

40 ML Sugar syrup or Blackberry syrup

20 ML Lemon juice

60 ML Mineral water

5-6 Blackberries

4 Mint leaves

Ice cubes

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

Put the blackberries, mint leaves and syrup with the lemon juice in a bowl. Carefully crush with a pestle. Add mineral water and rum. Strain the blackberry seeds and the rest of the mint leaves. Pour the mix into chilled glasses, add ice, and garnish with fresh mint and blackberries.

Note: The fruity Blackberry Mojito can be easily adapted: If you want less alcohol, simply mix with more mineral water instead of rum.

2. My very favorite Mexican drink: Agua de Horchata

I recently showed my boyfriend agua de horchata and he absolutely loved it. It’s a great complement for a taco night, but we also ended up comparing it to milk rice…that’s how you can imagine the taste of the Mexican version of this drink (the Spanish one is a bit different).

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of any uncooked white rice 

2 cinnamon sticks

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweet condensed milk (Milchmädchen type)

½ TL vanilla flavor

Grounded cinnamon to garnish

Ice cubes

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

Wash and drain the rice. Place the rice, cinnamon stick and 4 cups of water into a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight or a minimum of 4 hours (the longer the better). Add 1/2 of the rice and 1/2 of the soaking water with some of the cinnamon stick in a blender. Puree until it’s very smooth and forms a paste-like texture (about 4 minutes long). Using a very fine strainer (or some cheese cloth) pour the mixture over a pitcher. Strain out as much liquid as possible, pushing on the solids with a spatula or spoon. Repeat this process for the rest of the rice and cinnamon mixture. Stir in the milks, vanilla, and 4 cups of water. Stir well. Taste and add more sugar or water if needed. Chill and stir before serving over ice.

3. A boost to the throat: the Ginger Punch

My family thinks of me as the ginger freak because it definitely was my go-to booster and remedy during winter. So why not keep the fame alive by bringing a ginger taste to summer too! With its delicious spiciness, ginger is a fine addition, especially to sweet cocktails.

INGREDIENTS

45 ML Rum

10 ML Lemon juice

Ginger Ale

3-4 ginger slices

2 Cocktail spoons of honey

1 Cocktail spoon of sugar syrup

Ice cubes

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

Cut the ginger into slices, put them in a cocktail shaker and crush it vigorously with a pestle. Add honey, lemon juice, sugar syrup and rum. Stir until the honey dissolves. Shake everything and strain the content into a glass. Then top up with ginger ale and garnish with a lime wedge. 

4. To feel like in Spain: a fresh fruit Clericot

Because fruity is a summer must, I love to share this one at reunions. It’s the best of wine and fruit together. Also a variation of the popular Sangría and Tinto de verano, which are so good.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups red wine

1 cup mineral water

1 cup lime soda 

1 Apple

2 Strawberries or ½ peach

Ice cubes

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

Mix the wine, mineral water, lemon soda, and the apple cut into tiny pieces. If you have strawberry or peach, add it. Mix a little, being careful not to remove the carbonation. Chill or serve with ice.

5. And your wake up call: a Bumble Coffee

Middle of the evening and sometimes after eating too much I’m in the mood for a little caffeine kick. If this is also your case, give the fresh bumble coffee a chance. It’ll bright you up again.

INGREDIENTS

30 ML Espresso coffee

1 Bio Orange or 90 ML Orange juice

Ice cubes

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS

Brew the coffee and let it cool. Mix with freshly squeezed or ready-made orange juice and add ice cubes.

Note: You can sweeten the whole thing with caramel syrup, vanilla ice cream or agave syrup. You can also use a fresh orange slice and mint leaves to decorate.

Which was your favorite? Would love to hear what you think in the comment section below.