Mix up these new cooling cocktails and wow your friends and family with the clink of ice and scent of citrus and herbs.
These five drinks are perfect for chilling out on hot days. Not all contain alcohol even though they were created by a professional bartender.
The main thing is they are simple, says Rocco Tolomeo, bar manager at the five-star hotel The Fontenay in Hamburg.
Cocktails don’t have to be strong, and non-alcoholic drinks don’t have to be complicated.
These days, the most fashionable drinks are all about clarity: fruit, clean acidity and straightforward builds. Highballs, variations on the Spritz and classics like the Paloma are all popular drinks, he says.
Less show, more mindful experience
In general, the way people drink is changing. Now, most seek to focus on the mindful experience of a beautiful moment. That means people are taking their time when drinking.
When it comes to the contents, it's all about flavour. There is also more demand for regional products. Alcohol is also being used more mindfully with the awareness that we can enjoy drinking without having to consume alcohol. The main thing is relaxation, whether alone or in company.
More flavour, less alcohol
These days, people are drinking more at home, says Thomas Weinberger from the Lantenhammer distillery in Bavaria. "17% drink alone, 83% in pairs or in larger groups.” Spirits are preferred for cosy get-togethers in company, mostly at home or someone else’s house.
Cocktails are the most popular choice with the focus on quality, refreshment and premium ingredients. Today’s mixes are all about the flavour profile. "They are created in such a way that the alcohol merely enhances the taste,” says Tolomeo.
Tolomeo seeks to bring the bar experience home with these five drinks. They don't involve lots of shopping and everything is quick and easy to prepare. After all, once you have some time, you want to be able to relax and take it easy.
And if you are staying off alcohol, you can easily tweak the recipes, too.
Highball, pure refreshment
Highballs are long drinks served in a tall glass, usually with a spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic drink such as soda or tonic.
For Tolomeo, these are simple drinks that are perfect for sipping in between meals. You can also serve them at a garden party without them costing too much. "These are drinks where I think: I’d happily sit by the river with a date, having a long drink in a ‘to go’ cup or bringing my picnic basket along,” he says with a smile.
He suggests a whisky and soda with 4 cl of whisky, 10-12 cl of highly carbonated soda, a block of ice in a highball glass, garnished with lemon zest.
The drink's appeal is the clarity you get from the cold and carbonation. Its flavours are citrus, a hint of sweetness and floral notes. What Tolomeo likes is that, "Alcohol is water-soluble. When you drink a whisky and soda, the alcohol evaporates and all you’re left with is the grain flavour of the whisky.” It only has two ingredients, but they are topped with a splash of lemon or lime.
He recommends you use a highly carbonated mineral or soda water: "Carbonation ensures that the whisky’s flavours really come to life." Anything flat is hard to drink in warm weather, he says. "You want something refreshing.” Serve the drink in a classic highball glass with plenty of ice.
Paloma - salty, fresh, straightforward
This structured thirst-quencher consists of 5 cl tequila, 10 cl grapefruit soda, 1 cl lime juice and a pinch of salt. "A lovely cold Paloma is easy to make,” says Tolomeo. It is a treat thanks to the combination of bitterness, salt and acidity. Notes of grapefruit, minerality and freshness make it the perfect way to cool down.
"You can also make it in a pitcher,” he says. Scale up the quantity depending on how many guests you have. Put a carafe on the table and let everyone help themselves. Make the drink with or without alcohol, he says, noting you can find alcohol-free tequilas and mescals.
Crodino Spritz - non-alcoholic 'aperitivo'
This non-alcoholic drink is appealing thanks to the citrus and fruity notes plus light herbal spice. You can find the Italian Crodino from shops or online.
"Top up Crodino with a splash of soda water or non-alcoholic wine or sparkling wine,” says Tolomeo. He recommends 1 bottle of Crodino, 6 cl of soda water or non-alcoholic white wine or sparkling wine.
The drink’s bitterness replaces the alcohol. With the flavours of orange and herbs paired with a slight sweetness, this is a refreshing summer drink.
Serve this "aperitivo” in a highball or wine glass, garnished with lemon zest or orange. Add ice cubes with frozen fruit or herbs for additional sparkle.
Hydration meets flavour - Coconut Water Cooler
"Coconut water is all the rage,” says Tolomeo. The appeal is its pleasant taste, usually without added sugar or unhealthy additives. Fruits such as coconut, with their high water content, all help people stay hydrated on hot days.
For his summery drink, Tolomeo recommends 4 cl of light rum, 8 cl of coconut water and 1 cl of lime juice. "It should definitely be a white rum. Aged rums have different flavours that don’t go well with coconut water,” he says.
Or take a non-alcoholic spirit. The drink’s lightness and natural sweetness come from its fresh, green flavours paired with coconut.
Serve this cocktail in a highball glass over ice, garnished with mint or a pandan leaf. This evergreen plant from Asia adds a sweet, nutty aroma reminiscent of vanilla and a tropical twist.
Cold Brew Tonic - refined cold coffee
This is the non-alcoholic version of the classic Espresso Martini. Cold Brew simply means cold coffee. Take filter coffee or freshly brewed coffee and chill it for several hours beforehand.
"First you pour in the tonic, then pour the coffee on top. The coffee stays on top; it doesn’t sink through. So you have two layers of colour. We call this layering,” says Tolomeo.
In layering, bartenders carefully arrange ingredients of different densities in the glass. Lighter, less dense liquids such as coffee are poured onto heavier liquids to create different layers. Pour the coffee slowly over the back of a spoon so that it sits on top of the tonic.
Tolomeo layers 6 cl of cold brew over 8 cl of tonic water and garnishes with an orange or lemon zest. Served in a highball, tumbler or bulbous wine glass, the bitterness and carbonation meet the dry flavours of coffee and citrus for this classic pick-me-up.
