Memorial Day Weekend Cocktails

Can you believe it is almost the beginning of summer? As we approach the upcoming holiday weekend that kicks off the unofficial start to summer, I want to share two of my favorite cocktails that you will soon be making all summer long! The Lillet fizz is a drink from a neighborhood bar that used to be in German Village and one that you don’t have to be a pro mixologist to make! The second is my take on a paloma that I had at the beginning of the year during a long weekend at L’Horizon Resort in Palm Springs. When I came back home I got to work trying to replicate it exactly. Both are refreshing for a hot summer day by the pool or backyard celebration. Enjoy!

The Lillet Fizz:

½ juiced lemon

Lillet aperitif rosé

Prosecco, such as La Marca 

Fill a rocks glass with cubed ice. Juice half a lemon into glass. Fill the glass half full with Lillet and then the remaining half with prosecco. It’s that easy! Garnish with a twisted lemon peel. 

The Reinvented Infinity Paloma: 

3 oz Simply grapefruit juice

1 oz tequila blanco, such as Casamigos 

.5 oz serrano simple syrup 

½ juiced lime 

Grapefruit bitters 

Fever-tree sparkling pink grapefruit soda 

• With a slice of lime, wet the rim of a rocks glass and garnish with salt or Tajin for extra spice. Fill the glass with cubed ice and set aside. 

• Fill a cocktail shaker half full with cubed ice and add grapefruit juice, tequila, simple syrup, lime juice and a couple dashes of grapefruit bitters. Shake for 30 seconds. Pour into prepared rocks glass and top off with grapefruit soda. 

Serrano simple syrup:

• In a medium saucepan stir together one cup granulated sugar, one cup water and two sliced Serrano peppers. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve and store in a plastic bottle in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.