The Madras

If you’re in the mood for something a little more fruity and berry-focused, then the Madras is right up your alley. Quick and easy to make, it’s an excellent option when you’re entertaining at short notice or want to jazz up your weekend on a whim. Fruit and vodka have always been a match made in heaven, and the Madras exemplifies this complementary relationship.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend using Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka.
• 3 Ounces of Kirkland Cranberry Juice Cocktail.
• 1 Ounce of Simply Original Pulp-Free Orange Juice.
• A lemon or orange wedge for garnish.

How To Make One

Pour all your ingredients into a long tall glass filled with ice (or in a highball glass if you have one). Stir slowly but thoroughly. 30 to 45 seconds should do it. Pop your lemon or orange wedge into your drink, and enjoy.

The Lynchburg Lemonade

Drawing its name from the iconic hometown of Jack Daniel’s, the Lynchburg Lemonade has become one of the most popular whiskey cocktails around. Though the recipe has become a little more basic over the years, we recommend following our recipe to unlock its smokey, delicious tartiness.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend using Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.
• 1 ounce of Dekuypers Triple Sec.
• 1 ounce of Master of Mixers Single-Pressed Lemon Juice
• 4 ounces of Backyard Soda Co. Lime Basil.
• Some lemon slices for garnish.

How To Make One

Grab a long, tall glass and pour in your whiskey, triple sec, and lemon together. Stir slowly and let them get familiar before adding your ice. Add your soda to top it up and watch the bubbles change color. Give it another good stir, garnish with your lemon slices, and voila!

The Zipper

Whether in a jug or a short glass with lots of ice, the Zipper is a wonderful addition to anyone’s weekend. It brings an abundance of sweet fruit that is balanced beautifully by the crisp bubbles of the soda. The raspberry liqueur gives it a mystical color and adds to its moreish nature—one of our favorite summer cocktails on our list.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend using SVEDKA Swedish Vodka.
• 1 ounce of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur.
• 1 ounce of any decent lime soda.
• Some fresh Blackberries or Raspberries for garnish and added flavor.

How To Make One

Pour your ingredients into a whiskey or long glass filled with ice. Chilling the glass before isn’t necessary, but it’s a treat when you do. Roll your berries into their watery paradise and stir slowly for 30 seconds before serving. Over time the berries will release their own flavor so remember to keep them around.

You can purchase these ingredients and more online from Cox’s Louisville to have them hand-delivered through our ongoing partnership with Drizly.com

The Old-Fashioned

The very definition of a classic, the Old-Fashion’s sophistication lies in its simplicity. Understated, but belying its rich heritage and ability to turn your favorite whiskeys into something entirely different, the Old Fashioned is one of the first cocktails ever made. Perfect for whiskey lovers and just about everyone else.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend Jameson Irish Whiskey.
• A sugar cube (half a teaspoon works too).
• 1 ounce of Peychaud’s Bitters.
• An orange peel.

How To Make One

Put your sugar in the bottom of your whiskey glass and saturate it with the bitters. Give it a stir to make sure it’s all in there. Add your ice as needed, and pour the whiskey slowly over it until you’re happy. Stir it up again—no harm in being thorough. Then press the orange peel over the glass, allowing it to drip into your drink. Release the peel’s zest by twisting and squeezing it again before dropping it into the glass.

You can purchase these ingredients and more online from Cox’s Louisville to have them hand-delivered through our ongoing partnership with Drizly.com

The Negroni

If big berry sweetness isn’t your thing, then the classic bitterness and hint of vermouth in the Negroni may be closer to your tastes. A blend of Campari and gin is enough to cleanse any palate and is an excellent companion for meals making it one of the perfect drinks for summer nights, before and after dinner.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend using Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 1 Ounce of Campari
• 1 Ounce of Gallo Sweet Vermouth
• An orange slice or twist for garnish.

How To Make One

In a lowball or whiskey glass filled with ice, pour your gin, Campari, and vermouth. Stir slowly at first and finish with a flourish. Squeeze your orange lightly into your drink before twisting or cutting appropriately for garnish.

You can purchase these ingredients and more online from Cox’s Louisville to have them hand-delivered through our ongoing partnership with Drizly.com

The Hanky Panky

The origins of the Hanky Panky date back to the early 1900s where Ada Coleman gave it its name amidst the glamor of the Savoy hotel in London. The presence of the Fernet-Branca creates a complex but harmonious balance between the gin and vermouth that brims with flavors. Summer cocktails have never looked so classy.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend using Seagrams’ Extra Dry Gin.
• 1 ½ ounces of Tribuno Sweet Vermouth
• 2 splashes of Fernet-Blanca
• A dash of orange juice
• An orange peel for garnish.

How To Make One

First, you’ll need a glass for mixing already filled with ice. Pour your gin and vermouth in first, with the Fernet-Blanca right at the end. Add your dash of orange juice and stir well for 30 seconds. Leave it to stand for another 15 seconds before straining and serving.

You can purchase these ingredients and more online from Cox’s Louisville to have them hand-delivered through our ongoing partnership with Drizly.com

Raspberry Whiteclaw: The Cocktail

There are so many ways to add a little excitement to your summer cocktails, and one of our favorite additions to the menu this year is including hard seltzers as a mixer. They are low on alcohol and big on flavor, adding another layer of refreshment to vodka, white rum, or gin-based drinks. A splash of grenadine and some fresh berries, and all of a sudden, your Whiteclaw is the bell of the ball.

What You’ll Need

• We recommend Bacardi Superior White Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, or Absolut Vodka.
• Raspberry Whiteclaw.
• A splash of grenadine.
• Some fresh berries for garnish and flavor.

How To Make One

Your Whiteclaw cocktail will sit comfortably in any size glass, but we recommend a long glass packed with ice. Pour your white spirits in first over the ice, followed by your Whiteclaw. Then your dash of grenadine, followed by your fresh berries.

As we round up our yummy list of drinks for summer, there’s only one thing left to do. And so a toast. To all the cookouts, barbecues, pool parties, and lazy Sundays to come. To family and friends old and new and the memories in the making. To the warm glow and the crisp kiss of that first sip. Cheers!

You can purchase these ingredients and more online from Cox’s Louisville to have them hand-delivered through our ongoing partnership with Drizly.com