After a long, late summer afternoon spent mowing your lawn, playing yard games, laying in the sun or wacking your weeds (not a euphemism), you’ll probably work up quite a thirst. A refreshing beer is great, so is a tall glass of ice water. But the best, most summery way to quench your thirst after a long, hot day is with a lemonade cocktail.
Bartenders all across the nation, from Chicago to San Antonio are singing the praises of lemonade cocktails. Although their cocktails can get quite elaborate at times, it’s really quite simple. Lemonade is the perfect all-summer drink and booze is awesome. Thus, Lemonade + Booze = Extra, Super Awesome.
Also: FEW Spirits and The Flaming Lips Create a Special Whiskey
Try to make your own boozy lemonade by mixing up your favorite citrus-forward cocktail and add a dash of pre-made lemonade (or make your own), or just visit one of these bars and order one. Isn’t it easier to relax when someone else is doing the work for you?
Created by Bartender Zack Proutsos at BIG Bar in Chicago.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Stolli Blueberry
- 1 oz Blue Caracao
- Sour mix
- Sierra Mist
Preparation
Combine vodka and caracao in a glass, add a splash of sourmix and top off with Sierra Mist. give it a light swirl and enjoy.
Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade
From Chop in Chicago
- 1.5 oz Blackberry Syrup (12oz Blackberries + 1/2 cup sugar)
- 2 oz Lemonade or Lemon Juice
- 3 oz Your choice of whiskey
Preparation
To make Blackberry syrup, simmer blackberries and sugar in saucepan for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until there is a thick syrup. Strain and let cool. Then combine all ingredients in shaker with ice and serve over ice in mason jar.
ViewHouse Lemonade
From Viewhouse in Denver, Colorado
- 1 1/4 oz SKYY Raspberry Vodka
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Simply Syrup (boil 1 part sugar to 1 part water)
- Sierra Mist
- 4 raspberries
Preparation
Fill tall glass with ice, set aside. Fill shaker with lemon juice, syrup, raspberries and muddle. Pour vodka into shaker. Shake and pour into glass. Top with Sierra Mist and enjoy!
From Shuck Shack in San Antonio, Texas
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup
- 1 ea. Lime Paleta
- Topo Chico
- Crushed Ice
Preparation
Combine the vodka and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Pour liquid mixture into a tall cup and add the lime paleta. Top with as much Topo Chico or club soda as you please to give a nice effervescence. Then, sit back and enjoy with a dozen oysters!
Speakeasy Lemonade
Created by Mixologist Ben Scorah
- 1 oz Tequila Don Julio Reposado
- 2 oz Lager
- 2 oz Fresh Thyme Lemonade
- Thyme Sprig and Lemon Zest for Garnish
Preparation
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain contents over ice into a highball glass. Garnish with a thyme sprig and lemon zest.
