11 Delightful Memorial Day Cocktails

The last Monday in May – Memorial Day.  A holiday that gives us a nice three day weekend to get out of town, throw a party and celebrate the upcoming Summer season. Let’s not forget the real history behind this day though. It’s a day to remember all of those whom we’ve lost in war. It wasn’t until after World War I that this remembrance holiday was observed across the country. Originally called Decoration Day, a day to honor the deceased of just the Civil War, was only acknowledged by the states in the north. Shortly after the First World War though, the holiday was changed to honor all those who died fighting in any war and became a nationally recognized day.

The old traditions of Memorial Day seem to have changed greatly over the years. In today’s time, Memorial Day has gained the popular label “kick off to summer” weekend. Many hit the road to take a short vacation or throw big backyard barbecue parties. Whichever way you like to celebrate this holiday, we thought we would share some of our favorite cocktails to use for giving a toast to those who fought or are still fighting for our country, or to give the start of the Summer season a proper welcome.

Watermelon Woo Woo

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces Q Ginger Beer
• 1 ounce gin
• 2 ounces watermelon juice
• 1/2 small lime, juiced
• Lime wedge, for garnish

Method: Place chunks of watermelon in a blender and blend well until watermelon is pureed. Strain over a fine mesh strainer into container. Save juice and discard pulp. Combine watermelon juice, gin and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with Q Ginger Beer and gently stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Knob Creek Blackhawk

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Knob Creek Rye Whiskey
• 1 part DeKuyper Sloe Gin
• 1 maraschino cherry for garnish

Method: In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the whiskey and gin. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Cruzan House Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Cruzan Estate Diamond Light Rum
• 1 part Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum
• 4 parts Pineapple Juice
• 2 parts Mango Juice
• 1 part Orange Juice

Method: Combine all ingredients, mix well. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a fruit wedge.

Citrus Sol

This one is for those trying to live that gluten-free life!

Ingredients:

• 1½ parts Menagé à Trois Citrus Vodka
• ¾ part lime juice
• ½ part orgeat syrup
• 3-4 fresh peach slices
• Celia Saison Beer (Gluten Free)

Method: In a shaker, muddle the peach and add in the vodka, lime juice and orgeat syrup. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Top with Celia Saison and garnish with a peach slice.

GREY GOOSE Le Melon & Soda

Ingredients:

• 1½ parts GREY GOOSE Le Melon
• 3 parts Perrier
• 2 lime wedges
• Cucumber slices

Method: Combine. Garnish with fresh cucumber slices and lime wedges.

 Berry American

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 parts Jim Beam Original
• 2 parts fresh Mixed Berries
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 part Simple Syrup
• Lemon-Lime Soda (to taste)

Method: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and serve over ice in a cocktail glass. Garnish with berries.

NOLET’S Silver Sangria

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. NOLET’S Silver Dry Gin
• 750 ml Dry White Wine
• 4 oz. White Grape Juice
• 4 oz. Sugar
• 4 oz. Sliced Seedless Grapes
• 1 Sliced Apple (Green or Red)
• 16 oz. Ginger Ale or Club Soda

Method: In a pitcher, dissolve sugar in white wine, NOLET’S Silver, and grape juice. Add grapes and apple slices and chill overnight. Add ice and top with ginger ale or club soda prior to serving.

American Honey Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 2 parts American Honey
• 1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 part Simple Syrup

Method: Combine ingredients in pitcher, stir and add ice. Garnish with lemon wheels.

The Shark Puncher

Ingredients:

• 9 oz. CAPTAIN MORGAN Coconut Rum
• 9 oz. Orange juice
• 6 oz. Cranberry juice
• 3 oz. Ruby red grapefruit juice

Method: Combine all ingredients including Captain Morgan Coconut Rum in a pitcher and stir.

Grapefruit Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Texas Grapefruit
• 1 oz. Coconut Milk
• 1⁄2 oz. Ginger Juice
• 1⁄2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1⁄4 oz. Honey Syrup (2:1 – honey cut with water)
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 Egg White

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and dry shake. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with edible marigold flowers.

Spring Pickings

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ parts Bacardi Superior
• ¾ parts Fresh Lemon Juice
• ¾ parts Rose Syrup

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass or tin. Add ice, shake and double strain into a Coupe glass. Garnish with a Rose petal.  Syrup: blend equal parts sugar and water to make a simple syrup. Add a quarter teaspoon Rose Water per 2 ounces of simple syrup.

Whether you are toasting to our fallen heroes or to the beginning of the long awaited warm summer season, these drinks will work just fine for either occasion– or any occasion really. It doesn’t matter how you choose to celebrate Memorial Day, just be sure you make enough of these cocktails to go around. And as always, celebrate responsibly!