Summer can be a time to relax more and make less important decisions with the arrival of the sun. The only more refreshing than a cold drink can be the relief of not having to think too much to serve.
Whether it’s humor to drink beer, cocktails, wine or alternative drinks, Forbes drink experts have something to recommend.
Enjoy these drinks by the pool, on the beach and in its next summer barbecue.
Summer cocktails full of life
Tequila
The Margarita could become the summer drink, writes Jillian Dara, collaborator of spirits forbes but do not be surprised if you meet an unexpected foray of watermelon.
Whether you prefer the classic or a more fun variant, the right tequila is fundamental. Emily Price, another expert in spirits, comments that most barmanes recommend a blank or a carefully selected resort for greater intensity. “Choosing a tequila that is naturally balancing with the acidity of fresh lime is crucial, especially if you want the taste of agave, and not sugar or additives, be the protagonist,” writes Price.
The ideal tequila is not always the most popular or the most expensive brand, says Isidoro Rodríguez, a professional in the hospitality and collaborator forbes . Whatever the drink you use, Dara says that you can give your margarita with raspberry, turbinate glass or even activated carbon salt.
For a tequila so good that you don’t need to be in a cocktail, the collaborator forbes And Honorary Tequilero Master Joe Micallef recommends Tequila Don Nacho Resto Tribute, which offers “a refined tasting experience that attracts both knowledgeable and beginners”.
Geneva and vodka
The classics such as the Gin-Tonic can be enjoyed all year, but Dara recommends combined such as the Gin Gimlet, the Bee’s Knees or French 75, which enhance the summer qualities of the drink. They are ideal whether you prefer a citrus touch and a floral garden in the glass.
Another classic Geneva cocktail, Martini has infinite summer variations that can be fruit or botanical.
Don’t you like gin? A Martini is a refreshing presentation of Vodka, such as Xaoma Gold, produced in Kazakhstan and winner of the London Spirits Competition. Brad Japhe, collaborator forbes affirms that this vodka has “aromatic infusions of herbs from Central Asia, resulting in a drink that combines with coffee and lemon in a fresh ending.”
The citrus fruits are “the backbone of the bar cart”, writes Price, providing “brightness, structure and fair acidity so that even the most alcoholic drink feels fresh and clean.” They are ideal with vodka and gin, but they combine perfectly with almost any drink.
In particular, the bright color and freshness of the lemons “reflect the warm, sunny and promising stations,” says Gastronomic expert Aly Walansky. Try these 17 refreshing lemon cocktails in bars and restaurants, or inspire yourself for your next summer party.
Whisky
Whiskey is not a typical drink of warm climates; It is mainly found in a summer sour or in a Bourbon and peach cocktail. But our collaborator Paul Caputo highlights six malt whiskeys and peach mixtures that stand out in the summer, light and with a floral touch, ideal for effervescent high drinks or to enjoy only at night next to the fire.
For the summer, “when the popularity of the sweetest drinks grows,” John Kell, collaborator of Forbes, reminds us that marks like Jim Beam launched fruits inspired versions. His pineapple bourbon is the first new version of Jim Beam in four years, with the aim of attracting those who would not opt for traditional bourbons, but who could consider a tropical alternative.
Bourbon drinkers who prefer Bourbon with Bourbon flavor can get surprisingly good bottles for less than $ 50.
You can also pair tropical fruits with rum, tequila or mezcal. Bone fruits are a perfect complement to bourbon, brandy or gin. And, “with its high water content and its soft sweetness,” the melons are perfect for refreshing cocktails that “are perfect with chopped ice,” writes Price.
Professional advice: spray your sun baths
Ingenious variations are eclipse forbes . Saúco Flor lovers should try Hugo, and a Limoncello Spritz is perfect for lemon lovers.
Homemade bartenders can try Lichi and Jasmine tea spritz recipes with peach, which the collaborator of Forbes, Emily Cappiello, obtained directly from some of the world’s most famous coastal hotels. Its list also includes a detoxifying version of the Moscow Mule and a touch of coconut to the ranchera water.
Wine for parties in the garden, sunsets and tennis
Rosa
The pink section of your wine store may seem like a summer inspiration board with colored codes, where it is difficult to find what you like among all those pink tones.
“The pink can be developed almost anywhere, but some producing regions produce it with greater precision and intention,” writes King. The minerality of volcanic soils can enhance some of the best qualities of the style, while the southern France offers the sun and the warm climate ideals for the pink. The grape, the age and the color of the wine also offer important clues.
As you discover what you like, also explore unexpected regions. Or go beyond the stereotype of pink wine and explore wines of producers who, according to King, “now address the pink with the same rigor that apply to red or white wines.”
White, oranges and even red
Katie Kelly Bell, lifestyle collaborator of Forbes, recommends a selection of “White tennis wines” to enjoy during Wimbledon and the United States Open. Enjoy a foamy champagne style wine from England during the Grand Slam in grass and, of course, of American white wines for the open on a hard track.
There is much to discover beyond the pink and whites: the best wines for summer, writes Dara, include natural orange wines, such as a dry and pleasantly cloudy muscat in contact with the skin, and even a cold reddish with predominance of Sangiovese.
Professional advice: wine cocktails can be a thing
Can Sauvignon Blanc really know how a spicy margarita? Check it yourself, infusing it and adding jalapeños to adequate wine.
Beer to cool off on a hot day
The lagers are difficult to overcome in heat, and a fresh and clean pilsner – a type of lager known as “the handshake of the brewer” – is one of the favorites of the summer. Erik Ofgang, drink collaborator forbes affirms that the Pilsner “is considered one of the clearest indicators of a brewer’s ability.”
If you take your leisure drinks seriously and want to make sure that your brewer also does, consider the winners of this year’s beer cup. Or make a road trip to try some of the best lagers in the United States: our collaborator Hudson Lindenberger has the ideal route.
Light beers are the favorites of the summer, but Ofgang points out that the most powerful IPA represent 60% of the artisanal beer market, according to the Association of Cerveceros, and “the IPA Turbia are the most popular IPA subcategory.” They are usually more fruity, more juicy and less bitter, all refreshing qualities for summer.
Professional advice: this summer you do not consume gluten.
Several breweries offer gluten -free beers, and EM Sauter, beer collaborator forbes also recommends cider, which generally does not contain gluten.
THC to vary
Some drinkers are opting for “session and lifestyle oriented” drinks: cannabis drinks.
In the states where it is legal, consider some of the best drinks with THC of 2025 according to the High Spirits Awards. The most prominent include a vanilla Latte, an island punch and a tail rum ready to drink.
If you consume both THC and alcoholic beverages, be careful: the combination can exacerbate the effects of both unpredictably. “It is better to start with a low dose and go little by little, or better yet, consume only one or both per night,” says Price.
When you are host, be sure to clearly label the drinks.
Alcohol Summer Celebrations
Drinks are the basis of many summer meetings. For guests who prefer not to drink alcohol, or who practice conscious practices such as zebra scratch, offer them something that does not know sad juice.
Many Rosados de North America use traditional production methods in search of balance, clarity and ease of drink, sometimes without the stimulating effect. Another option: the Phony Negroni, a bottled North American cocktail that, according to Ofgang, is “brilliant and overflowing, with that acidity to orange peel that is found in a bold with alcohol.”
If you followed the advice of Andy Vasoyan, collaborator of lifestyle, to give on Father’s Day, look if your dad was left over from North America to share. Athletic Brewing is known for its seasonal releases, and the electro-lime near Best Day Brewing has a vibrant touch of lime and a soft texture that makes it a refreshing summer drink.
This article was originally published by Forbes Us.
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