The grass is turning mostly green and the flowers are starting to sprout from the earth again. It is such a reprieve to see some life coming back to the outside world, and I love the idea of planning out the yearly garden. Normally, we plan a trip back to Florida for Spring Break because I need to see some green and life after six months of long winter. Due to some travel we already had planned to Charleston and Savannah, we didn’t make it – but there were definitely azaleas in bloom and warmer weather. It also may have just been the inspirational plI needed for this years summer cocktails series. (There was a little sneak peak, with Derby Day Mint Juleps a couple weeks ago!)
In all reality, Spring is probably my least favorite of the Colorado seasons. To be fair, it is really tough competition. Winter is all about skiing, fall leaf peeping in the mountains is unbeatable and summer time may just be the most glorious of them all. Also, I don’t think pastels are my best colors. The short lived Spring we have here does get me all excited about summer!
We’ve done a summer mini series before, mostly featuring Chris’s grilled creations like this Grilled Grouper and Mango Salsa and Grilled Teriyaki-Marinated Steak but thought we would try something new this time around! And this was the perfect weekend to start this series. Chris and the boys played some golf and then we hosted a barbecue grill night with some friends. Even if the temps aren’t there just yet, I think summer is a state of mind. We’re also working on choosing dates for my favorite summer mountain getaway to Steamboat Springs. So, I think it’s only appropriate to start with one of my favorite summer cocktails, the Paloma! Sparkly, spritzy and colorful, this will be your go to summer drink!
The Paloma:
If it is citrusy, it’s for me. My favorite color is orange. Grapefruit is my favorite smell. I would put lemons in almost everything I eat. So while this is a simple drink, it has earned its spot being first in the summer cocktail lineup.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Tequila
- 1.5 oz Grapefruit Juice
- .5oz Lime Juice
- Grapefruit Soda/Sparkling Water
- Honey/Sugar (optional for the rim)
Directions:
- Pour sugar and honey on two separate plates. Slightly dip rim in the honey and then dip in the sugar.
- In a cocktail shaker mix tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice over ice until it is cold
- Pour into your rimmed glass and top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with limes or grapefuit slices.
