Cocktails from Around the World
If you’re like us, you’re ready for a reset. Summer break is just under a month away, and it is going to be the refreshing break we all need. What better way to kick off summer and celebrate with some new cocktail recipes? Say goodbye to White Claws and Barefoot, and say hello to fancy cocktails that will take you back to your abroad lifestyle.
Aperol Spritz
What you need:
Ice
3 oz Prosecco
2 oz Aperol
Dash of club soda
An orange wedge (to garnish)
There is no better way to start summer than with an Aperol Spritz. Originally from Veneto, the Northern Region of Italy, Aperol Spritzes are bitter and the color of a golden-orange sunset. Coincidentally, they were created in 1919 as a way to fight the extreme summer heat and humidity of this region. Aperol, by nature, is a bitter apéritif liqueur. If bitterness isn’t for you, you can add more prosecco and less Aperol, or vice versa if you prefer a more bitter taste.
French 75
What you need:
Ice
1 oz gin
½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
*To start, put all of the above in a shaker, and shake until chilled. Then add:
3 oz champagne
Lemon twist (to garnish)
The classic and classy French 75 cocktail originated in France in the early 1990s. The name comes from the French Army’s weapon of choice during World War I, the French 75-millimeter light field gun. French bartender Harry MacElhone originally named it “Soixante-Quinze” when news of the war spread in 1914. They certainly aren’t made as strong as they were back then, but they are a nice adult alternative to lemonade on a hot, sunny day.
Sangria
What you need:
1 bottle of red wine (Spanish recommended)
3 oranges
2 lemons
1 apple
A dash of liquor (your choice; Brandy and Vermouth are popular)
Club soda (optional)
2 or more tablespoons of granulated sugar
Ice
Keep in mind: Sangria takes time for the fruit and wine to combine. So, if you're preparing a pitcher for a summer get together or BBQ, you'll want to make it the morning of or the day before.
To make this delicious drink, cut up all the fruits except for one orange, and set them aside. Juice the orange you didn’t cut. Add the juice, liquor and bottle of red wine to a pitcher, and then add all the cut up fruit. Set aside and let soak for a few hours. After this, add your sugar, club soda (if needed) and store in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, just add ice!
The name “Sangria” comes from the Spanish word ‘sangre’, which means blood. Romans over 2,000 years ago chose this name due to the dark color of red wine and their drink concoction. The water along the Iberian Peninsula was unsafe to drink at that time, so it was common to mix alcohol with water to kill off the bacteria. And thus, Sangria was created. The Romans would mix red wine, herbs, spices, and fruits with water. Nowadays, we obviously don’t include the water!
Fernandito
What you need:
2 oz Fernet Branca
6 oz Coke
Ice
Fernandito is considered the national cocktail of Argentina. After wine and beer, it is the most popular drink in the country. Fernet Branca is a type of Italian Liqueur created in the 18th century. Argentina is home to at least 25 million Italian descents, which explains how Fernet Branca became a part of their culture. The consumption of Fernet Branca in Argentina is the highest in the world and three times more than Italy at 25 million liters per year. Since the 19th century, the Fernandito cocktail has been a popular drink in Argentina. A Fernandito is easy to make and refreshing on a hot summer day!
Tag us on instagram @theedgemag when you’re experimenting with these new, easy-to-make refreshments this summer!