After a day indoors, fresh air and vitamin D are simple, appreciated pleasures. Luckily, there’s no shortage of sunny days in Arizona. Enjoy an escape under the patio cover and a sparkling beverage from Mesa Awning Company. Here are six refreshing drink recipes that can be made in 15 minutes or fewer.

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1. Watermelon Mojito

A refreshing mojito with a juicy twist.

Makes: 1 serving
Takes: 10 minutes

Ingredients
4 large mint leaves
1/2 lime
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
4 ounces (about 3/4 cup) seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 ounces white rum
watermelon wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions
In a large bowl, combine mint, lime and sugar. Mash with a middler until sugar is dissolved. Add watermelon, and muddle until broken down. Stir in rum. Pour into an ice-filled serving glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge, if desired.

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2. Mesa Awning Martini

Like our awnings, this quick citrus martini’s got you covered.

Makes: 2 servings
Takes: 5 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup citrus-flavored vodka
1/4 cup (about 1 orange) freshly squeezed blood orange juice
2 tablespoons simple syrup*
blood orange slices for garnish (optional)

Directions
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, juice, and simple syrup with ice; shake well. Strain into 2 martini glasses. Garnish with a slice of blood orange, if desired.

*Simple Syrup
Makes: about 1 2/3 cups
Takes: 5 minutes

Ingredients
1 cup sugar

Directions
Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside until cooled. Store refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 1 month.

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3. Lemonade Caipirinhas

A lemon cocktail from Brazil.

Makes: 4-6 servings
Takes: 10 minutes

Ingredients
2 large limes, cut into 16 wedges each
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups cachaca (Brazilian brandy)
6 cups crushed ice
1 cup store-bought lemonade
lemon and lime slices for garnish (optional)

Directions
Using a wooden pestle or spoon, crush limes and sugar in a large glass measuring cup until juices are released, then pour in cachaca. Transfer cachaca mixture to a large pitcher and stir in lemonade. Pour into a ice-filled serving glasses. Garnish with lemon and lime slices, if desired.

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4. Red Currant Champaign Cocktail

A tart, fruity drink that’s full of fizz.

Makes: 1 serving
Takes: 5 minutes

Ingredients
2 tablespoons red currant puree*, chilled
Champagne, chilled

Directions
Place red currant puree in a Champagne flute. Slowly pour over Champagne to fill.

*Red Currant Puree
Makes: about 1 1/2 cups
Takes: 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds (about 3 pints) fresh or frozen red currants, stemmed
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water

Directions
Place currants, sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and stirring occasionally until soft, about 15 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve over a medium bowl. Press on solid to extracts juice. Discard solids and chill liquid before using. Red currant puree can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

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Alcoholic drinks aren’t for everyone. We’ve included two refreshing options for children or guests who want to sip on something sweet without the alcohol.

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5. June Bug

(Non-alcoholic)

This sweet orange refresher was inspired by summer itself.

Makes: 4 servings
Takes: 5 mins

Ingredients
3 cups ginger ale
4 tablespoons grenadine
4 tablespoons orange juice
3 scoops orange sherbet

Directions
Blend together ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice and sherbet. Pour into ice-filled cocktail glasses.

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6. Pear Tree

(Non-alcoholic)

A tart-sweet mocktail with lemon-lime and pear juice.

Makes: 1 serving
Takes: 10 minutes

Ingredients
1/3 cup pear juice
2 tablespoons lemon-lime juice
2 tablespoons simple syrup
4 fresh mint leaves
1 mint sprig for garnish (optional)

Directions
Put all ingredients except mint sprig in a cocktail shaker and shake until well blended, about 10 seconds. Pour into an ice-filled tumbler or snifter. Garnish with mint sprig, if desired.

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Let us know which drink recipe is your favorite, and be sure to share your pictures of them on our Facebook.