JPGD readers, I have a special treat for you today! I went over my most recent Facebook status updates from the last few weeks, and realized I’ve done a lot of carping lately about how damn hot it is. For Austinites, we’ve been treated to a lovely, consistent 107 degrees. I haven’t had the desire or the energy to garden, cook or even eat. I just want to have a cold refreshing cocktail in my hand and be done with it! So I turned to my friend, Nicky Fabbrini, who is a master at two things near and dear to my heart–gardening and happy hour! Nicky blogs at Dirt and Martinis, and I asked her to share her favorite cocktails with us. Enjoy! And thanks, Nicky!August is here, the mercury is rising and many of us have experienced long heatwaves this summer, some with several consecutive days of temperatures over 100 degrees!
Since we have many more days scorching temperatures, instead of reaching for the old standby beer, why not add a blast of cool flavors and freshly squeezed ingredients to your next cocktail hour. With a little planning and use of garden fresh citrus and fruits, refreshing summer cocktails can enhance and cool down the hottest of days.
Cucumber-Tomato Water Martini 
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1 teaspoon dry white vermouth
- Ice
- 3 ounces cucumber-tomato water
- garnish: cocktail onion and cucumber slices
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the gin, vermouth, cucumber-tomato water. Shake until cold, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Cucumber-Tomato Water
- 6 cups chopped tomatoes (the ripes juiciest you can find), chopped
- 1 English cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 tsp salt (optional)
Cantaloupe and Watermelon Cocktail
This cocktail is a party pleaser! As with all drinks, fresh is best so this drink entails the use of veggie juicer which is so worth the extra effort. Juice up one cantaloupe and one small watermelon separately and pour juice into it’s own individual container .
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3/4 ounces of tripe sec or Cointreau
- 1 ounce cantaloupe juice
- 1ounce watermelon juice
- squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- ice
- garnish: cantaloupe and a lemon wheel.
Make cantaloupe and watermelon juice with a vegetable juicer and store juice separately in its own container. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and shake until icy cold. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with melon and lemon.
Campari Spritzer
- 2 ounces Campari
- 2 ounces orange juice
- 6 ounces sparkling water
- ice
- Garnish with orange, or in my case I used what I had on hand…borage.
In a highball glass add the Campari, orange juice, and sparkling water. Garnish.
I’d love to hear what your favorite summertime hydration libation is? Enjoy and stay cool!
Nicky can be found on Facebook and Twitter
Eat. Drink. Play in the dirt at Dirt and Martinis.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Now you just know I love this wonderful guest post <|;-) Great share my garden gal pals!
Jenny… fabulous recipes. Got to get the Jack Lalanne juicer out and start juicing for these refreshing cocktails!
Great idea Jenny, it’s been hot here too but nothing like you have been experiencing.
Nicky, thanks for these drink recipes, they sound awesome! We made Watermelon-Vodka coolers last weekend and they were very refreshing. 3 oz. watermelon juice, 1/2 c vodka, 1/4 cup triple sec, over ice with a watermelon wedge for garnish. Can’t remember where I found the recipe, but Yum! This weekend we’ll give yours a try!
Oops! make that 3 cups watermelon juice.
I’m glad everyone is enjoying the party atmosphere here at JPGD–it’s inspiring me to do another post/contest–stay tuned for details! Scott, your Watermelon Vodka coolers sound incredible. Yum-eeeee.
You’re all so sweet!
Scott, I’ll try your recipe! Thanks for sharing, now I’m really thirsty…is anyone else?
Cheers! I only have 3 1/2 hours to go before happy hour!
Jenny, Scott made the watermelon coolers . . . they were delicious!
Hey Kathy! Can’t wait to try it–it’s 107 here today!