cheers to the (long) weekend

The long weekend is here and I know I couldn't be more excited. Whether you are going to be sitting on the beach, having a BBQ in your backyard, boating on the lake, swimming in a pool, or really anything else, your holiday weekend won't be complete without some fabulous summer cocktails. Below you will find some incredible recipes, perfect for the weekend that kicks off summer. All recipes come from Cointreau and MARTINI. Of course, if you can't or don't drink alcohol - most of these drinks will be just as delicious and refreshing without it (see notes below each recipe). Have a great weekend!

Memorial Margarita

1 ½ ounces Blanco Tequila

1 ounce Cointreau

½ ounce Lemon Juice

½ ounce Lime Juice

3 basil Leaves

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. 

(If not using alcohol, replace with lemonade and club soda).

Summer Sunrise Punch

1 bottle of Grey Goose Vodka

1 bottle MARTINI Bianco

1 bottle Cointreau

1/2 liter chilled chamomile tea

1/2 liter club soda or sparkling mineral water

1/2 pound sugar

Peel of 10 lemons and 10 oranges

Garnish: slices of orange, lemon, and apple

In a large punch bowl, place the citrus peel and cover with cane sugar. Pour in the vodka and cover with a cloth, leaving for 3 hours (or as little as you need). Add tea, MARTINI Bianco, Cointreau and chill until ready to serve. Just before serving, add chilled club soda and fresh fruit. Stir well, and serve over ice in smaller tumblers or chilled wine glasses. Makes 20 servings.

(If not using alcohol, replace with club soda and orange juice).

Berry Belle Margarita

2 parts Blanco tequila

1 part Cointreau

1 part Lime juice

2 slices red bell pepper

2 raspberries

1 bar spoon raspberry preserves

Muddle raspberries with bell peppers in a mixing glass.  Add the remaining ingredients with ice.  Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish: Raspberries

(If not using alcohol, replace with club soda and Fresca or Sprite).

Red Summer Sangria

1 (750 ml) bottle of MARTINI Bianco vermouth

8 ounces apple juice

4 ounces cranberry juice

4 ounces simple syrup (equal parts sugar & water)

2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice

8 ounces MARTINI Prosecco

1 apple, cubed

1 lemon, thinly sliced into wheels

1 orange, thinly sliced into wheels

Combine first five ingredients in a large pitcher, and stir in fruit. Chill until ready to serve (24 hours, if possible). Just prior to serving, stir in Prosecco. Pour over ice in tall glasses. Makes 8-10 servings. 

(If not using alcohol, replace with sparkling white grape juice).

Raspberry Asti Float

MARTINI Asti

1 scoop raspberry sorbet

2 or 3 raspberries

Add sorbet to chilled champagne flute and fill with MARTINI Asti. 

Garnish with raspberries.

(If not using alcohol, replace with some orange juice, a touch of lime juice, a touch of club soda).

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