Sexy Late Summer Cocktails

I spent my summer mostly inland, mostly working.  The days of sulking in the summer sun are winding down and my dreams of a beach getaway to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or even Florida are unfulfilled.   I’ve been brainstorming ways to magically transport myself to an island far away—the closest I have come is sipping one of these tropical cocktails.

If you’re not quite ready to kiss those sunny days away, stir up a few of these late summer cocktails and relax!  After all, the season doesn’t officially end until September 21.

Sex in the Caribbean

Thinking of making your escape to the Caribbean before fall sets in?   Make this drink and it will take you on a wild night dancing until the sun comes up.  Don’t forget to wear your favorite espadrilles before it’s too late!

½ fl oz. Dark rum
½ fl oz. Melon liqueur
½ fl oz. Raspberry liqueur
3 oz. Pineapple Juice

Measure and mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake, then serve in a glass garnished with a slice of pineapple.

Source: Islands.com

Orange Cosmopolitan

Put on that sexy red dress, and mix up one of these.  Add a touch of sunshine to the traditional cosmo by using orange vodka.
1.5 oz. Orange Vodka
½ oz. Pomegranate Juice
½ oz. Sour mix
3 slices of orange

Muddle the orange slices with the pomegranate juice and sour mix.  Add orange vodka, such as Kettle One Oranje, and shake.  Serve in a chilled martini glass with a twirl of orange peel.

Source: Ketel One www.ketelone.com

Cucumber Basil Chiller

Pick up some local cucumbers, trim back your basil plant, grab some tequila and enjoy this refreshing summer sipper.  Best enjoyed on the back porch with some sultry summer blues playing in the background.
4 thick cut cucumber slices
2 large basil leaves
1 ½ oz. Silver Tequila
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. Simple syrup

Muddle the cucumber and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker.  Add ice, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.  Shake until well mixed.  Serve in a short glass with a slice of cucumber.

What’s a late summer evening without a cocktail on the porch, anyway?  Drag out your beach chairs, put on a summer dress, and invite your friends over for your island escape.  Relish the rest of summer until it officially transitions into fall.  After all, I think this is the best time of summer—the days aren’t quite so hot and the evenings are filled with amber colored sunlight.

Source: Food & Wine www.foodandwine.com