Below are 5 killer cocktail recipes to help you forget that summer is over and celebrate the start of the school year!! These cocktails are made with fresh fruit or fruit juices like pineapple, orange, and cherry as well as fresh herbs like basil and cilantro.

A few of the cocktail recipes include egg white. TRUST ME, it’s awesome! When shaken without ice, egg whites add a frothy almost creamy texture to your drink without changing the flavor.

1. MI PAIS FELIZ (MY HAPPY PLACE)

I’m not a huge fan of syrupy, overly sweet cocktail recipes. This refreshing and herbaceous cocktail is my go-to Friyay night drink. It’s perfectly sweetened and slightly spicy. I prefer the heat of serrano pepper, but if you can’t find them jalapenos will do.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 of a medium-sized serrano pepper sliced (do not deseed)
• 2 tbs of fresh cilantro
• 4 oz. of high-quality pineapple juice
• 2.5 oz. of tequila Blanco
• 1/2 cup of ice
• 1 large ice cube (can be substituted with 1/2 cup of regular ice)

EQUIPMENT:

• Shaker
• Muddler
• Tumbler

To the shaker add the serrano pepper slices and cilantro. Using your muddler, muddle the serrano pepper and cilantro well. Add ice, pineapple juice, and tequila. Seal the shaker and shake for at least 30 seconds. Add the large ice cube to your tumbler glass.  Pour drink into the tumbler. SALUTE!

2. LEMON BASIL MARGARITA

This light and fresh cocktail recipe works just as well with vodka as it does tequila!

Ingredients:

• 5 leaves of fresh basil
• 2oz of tequila blanco or vodka
• 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz of simple syrup
• egg white from one egg
• 1/2 cup of ice

Equipment:

• Cocktail Shaker
• Muddler

In the shaker muddle 5 leaves of fresh basil. Add the rest of the ingredients to the shaker (no ice). Shake for 1 minute…this is called a dry shake. Open the shaker and add 1/2 cup of ice. Close the shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds. Pour the contents into a tumbler filled with ice. SALUTE!

3. CHERRY BOMB MARGARITA

Impress your guests with this Cherry Bomb Margarita. I take a classic margarita to the next level by adding a fresh cherry and mint ice cube. As you sip your cocktail, this oversized cube melts and your drink continues to evolve. The egg white adds a frothy creamy texture to this ultimate summer cocktail.

Ice Cube Ingredients:

• 3 cups of cherries pits removed
• 1/3 cup of mint simple syrup (click here for simple syrup recipe)
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1/2 tbs of lime juice

Special Equipment:

large sphere silicon ice cube molds (buy here)

Combine all of the ingredients above in a high-speed blender. Pour the mixture into large sphere ice cubes molds. Place in the freezer for at least 12 hours.

Cocktail Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila Blanco/silver
• 1/2 lime juiced
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 1 cup of ice

Special Equipment:

• Cocktail Shaker

Add the first four ingredients to the cocktail shaker, close the shaker and shake vigorously by hand for 1 minute. This is called a dry shake. Open the shaker and add the ice. Close the shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Add one large cherry ice cube to a double old fashioned glass. Pour the cocktail ingredients over the ice cube and serve immediately. CHIN CHIN!

4. MEZCAL TINTO

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5  oz of premium mezcal
• fresh-squeezed juice from 1/2 lime
• fresh-squeezed juice from 1/2 a large lemon
• 1.5 tbsp of simple syrup
• approximately 1/4 cup of cabernet
• 1/2 cup of ice

EQUIPMENT:

• Shaker
• Tumbler

Shake ingredients 1-4 in a shaker filled with ice. Shake fast for about 1 minute until the ice starts to melt and the drink becomes frothy. Place a large square ice cube into a tumbler. Pour the contents of the shaker over the ice cube. Top the drink with cabernet. SALUTE!

5. Mexicana- Italiana

If you like a good negroni and enjoy the smoky taste of mezcal, you’ll love this drink.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup of ice
• 1.5 oz. of mezcal
• 1 oz. of Aperol
• 1/2 oz. of orange bitters
• 1/2 large JUICY orange
• 1 large ice cube

EQUIPMENT:

• Shaker
• Tumbler

To the shaker add the ice, mezcal, Aperol, orange bitters and the juice of the 1/2 orange (do not discard the rind of the orange). Seal shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds. Place a large ice cube in a tumbler, pour contents of the shaker into the tumbler. Squeeze the orange rind over the drink to infuse the essence of the citrus. CHIN CHIN!

I hope you enjoy these cocktail recipes in good company! Be sure to check out my recipe for Boozy Limoncello Bread Pudding!