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