By Cortney Moore
Published May 29, 2021
There’s no denying that Labor Day weekend brings Americans together.
And whether you’re staying at home or visiting a local barbecue, you might want to toast to the unofficial end of summer with something fancier than a beer or wine cooler.
Fox News consulted specialists in the alcoholic beverage space to find out which cocktails are trending in time for the holiday weekend and how you can mix your own like a seasoned pro.
Not so surprisingly consumers are choosing to drink cocktails that have a cooling effect.
Mixologist and Pernod Ricard USA Ambassador Dominic Venegas told Fox News that frozen drinks and low ABV cocktails appear to be trending for summer 2021 in addition to highballs, drinks that contain more of a non-alcoholic mixer than an alcohol-based spirit.
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These popular cocktails are being put together with "slight variants," according to Venegas.
"An example is the ‘Ranch Water’ drink that was made popular in Texas and is taking the country by storm [with] tequila, lime and mineral water," he explained. "With slushy season you still have your rum and vodka-based drinks but we are seeing more whisky-based slushies like the ‘Penichillin,’ a twist on the Penicillin cocktail."
Drinkware and convenient packaging are trends that seem to be growing in the cocktail market, according to Venegas. And it could very well be in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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"Since we kind lost out on summer 2020, I’ve seen a trend in execution and cocktail selection being more efficient and classic. The prep of making drinks that may be served in reusable pouches and to-go vessels has changed the game as well," Venegas said. "Being able to sell bottles of to-go cocktails to be enjoyed in the park, at the beach, or in the comfort of your home is continuing."
If you’re looking to celebrate the holiday weekend with a refreshing drink that beats the heat, here are three cocktail recipes from some well-respected mixology experts.
With tips like these, you’ll be bringing the bar to you!
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King St. Vodka’s Cucumber Lemon Refresher
"For this time of year, as the weather gets warm, lighter cocktails tend to be popular. Our King St. Cucumber Lemon Refresher is light and refreshing. It is also easy to make pitchers of this cocktail so it can serve a large number of people very easily," Brand House Wines & Spirits LLC Founder & CEO David Kanbar told Fox News. "Cucumber gets a bad rep — sandwiches, eye covers, salad fillers — but we’d argue that it’s the number 1 cocktail underdog. This jazzy spritz isn't a mojito, but it is fit for a beach towel and tan. Pro tip: Blend with ice to kick it up a notch."
Ingredients
Instructions
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Diplomático's Mantuano Summertime
"During the summer, there’s nothing better than a refreshing cocktail that incorporates seasonal ingredients – the Diplomático Mantuano Summertime cocktail brings together fresh flavors of pineapple, ginger and honey, and is garnished with cherries, making it great for a hot day," Diplomático Brand Ambassador Manny Peña told Fox News. "Our Mantuano Rum is aged for up to eight years and has aromas of dried plums, oak and a unique spiciness."
Ingredients
Instructions
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Merriman’s Hawaii Mango Mint French 75
"Last summer, I created a delicious Mango Mint French 75 that our guests loved. It’s an easy, fruity version of this classic and gives drinks a taste of Hawaii from wherever they are," Jim Lunchick, a mixologist at Merriman's Hawaii told Fox News. "I would recommend setting your sights on stuff you know you can easily get. Prosecco? Check! Gin? Check! Limes? Check! You have all the makings of for a French 75, which will undoubtedly be enjoyed at your first vaccinated cocktail gathering."
"Don’t forget [to put] half an ounce of simple syrup in each glass, or pass the sugar cubes [around]," he added. "Just make sure you do it via tongs."
Ingredients
Instructions
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https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/labor-day-weekend-2021-cocktail-trends