5 Summer Cocktails We Love for Happy Hour Planting

Summer is the perfect time to relax, enjoy some refreshing cocktails and plant. When the sun goes down we plant and we grow things. And what better way to enhance your happy hour experience than by incorporating the flavors of your own herb garden? In this article, we'll share five delicious summer cocktail recipes that will not only quench your thirst but also give you the opportunity to showcase your mixology skills and make use of those fresh herbs you've been growing. So grab your shaker, head to your garden, and let's get started!

1. Frozen Basil Lemonade

Ingredients:

• bunch fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 2 cups ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the basil leaves, lemon juice, honey, gin and ice cubes.
2. Blend on high until smooth and slushy.
3. Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.

2. Minty Watermelon Cooler

Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced watermelon
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar
• 1 1/2 oz cucumber vodka
• 1 cup sparkling water

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice and rum, and agave nectar.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into glasses and top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

3. Rosemary Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 ounces Empress gin
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Club soda
• edible flower for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle one sprig of rosemary.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and honey.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda and garnish with the remaining rosemary sprig.

4. Lavender Lemon Drop

Ingredients:

• 1” snip of fresh lavender
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the dried lavender.
2. Add vodka, triple sec, and lemon juice.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well mixed.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

5. Basil Mojito

Ingredients:

• 6 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 ounces white rum
• Soda water

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle the basil leaves with the sugar and lime juice.
2. Add rum and fill the glass with ice.
3. Top with soda water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a sprig of basil.

Conclusion:

With these five summer cocktail recipes, you'll be able to enjoy the flavors of your herb garden while weeding your herb garden. Whether you prefer the zesty kick of basil lemonade or the floral notes of a lavender lemon drop, these cocktails are sure to impress your guests and keep you cool on those warm summer evenings. So raise your glass and cheers to a summer filled with delicious drinks and garden-fresh ingredients!

Cheers,

HHF