Imagine relaxing on the rooftop at the hotel, sipping cocktails, enjoying the sunset, and watching the mountains change color against the backdrop of Appalachian State University’s beautiful campus. Maybe you spent the entire day out on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or maybe you spent it exploring shops and restaurants in downtown Boone or neighboring Blowing Rock. No matter how you spent your day, you’ve finally made it to the rooftop lounge and it’s time to unwind. It will be the perfect place to spend a summer evening in the high country.
We plan to have many unique and seasonal cocktails on our menu during these revered warmer months in our tiny mountain town. Summer months in the mountains require – no, demand – a true summer drink that will make you reminisce about all those warm summer nights when the leaves begin to change color and fall finally hits.
Hunter Hallmark, our Director of Food & Beverage and cocktail fanatic, has many creative specials planned for our cocktail menu. We decided we’d go ahead share 3 of his favorite summer cocktails below. They’re a (summer) breeze to mix and will make you forget your go-to rose in a heartbeat!
Summer cocktail 1: The Hemmingway Daiquiri
Nothing says summer more than the sunny and tropical flavors of rum and lime.
Ingredients:
– Ice
– 2 oz White Rum
– 3/4 oz Lime juice
– 1/2 oz Grapefruit juice
– Lime wedge garnish
How to make it:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Combine all the ingredients and shake well or stir thoroughly (if you don’t have a shaker). Serve in a rocks glass on ice and garnish with a lime wedge.
Summer cocktail 2: Rosé Spritz
Make this cocktail to surprise your friends and guests with something different. It’s fruity, yet refreshing and gorgeous looking. Hey, it’s rosé, but with a twist.
Ingredients:
– 4 oz Chilled rosé
– 1 oz Vodka
– Fresh raspberries
– Orange slice
– Fresh mint
– Orange flavored soda water
How to make it:
Muddle the raspberries with the orange slice and the mint. Add ice, and pour in the vodka and rose. Stir to combine and serve!
Summer cocktail 3: Watermelon Margarita
Personally, we feel summer vibes just by looking at a watermelon. This sweet and refreshing fruit combines great with the smoky, hot vibes of tequila.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Silver Tequila
– 3 oz Watermelon juice
– 1/2 oz Lime juice
– 1/2 oz Lemon juice
– Lemon wedge
– Watermelon cube
– Salt for rim
Combine all the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Rub the lemon around the rim of a tall glass and dip it in a plate with salt. Pour your drink in the glass, and be careful not to knock off the salt. Garnish with a piece of watermelon and lemon wedge.
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We hope we inspired you to make these easy summer cocktails on the next warm summer night. Cheers to that and don’t forget to subscribe to our e-mail list for more recommendations, exclusive updates, and special offers!
Author: Sanny Visser