The Culinary Architect: Soothing summer drinks to sip

Alexandra Troy

There is nothing like drinking a delicious and refreshing “cocktail” on a summer evening.  

Sitting outside and watching the sun set and enjoying the gentle breezes…I love to serve my guests a special drink and a few nibbles.  

It is a wonderful and easy way to entertain during this time of year.

 

Recipes

Cassis Cooler

Kiwi “tini”

Anything Mary

Non-alcoholic Summer 

Sangria

Store bought nibbles, ie.

cheese straws, wedges of 

cheese, shrimp cocktail, 

Assorted salamis, crackers, 

etc.

 

Cassis Cooler

Yield: 1 cocktail

Using Prosecco, which is 

available for under 15.00 

per bottle, instead of 

champagne, is an economical 

way to stretch your drink 

budget

4 oz. Prosecco or other 

sparkling Brut wine

1 oz. Creme de Cassis

Club Soda

Blackberries or blueberries 

for garnish

 

 Place ice in a large 

attractive glass.

Pour 4 oz. Prosecco in glass.  

Add 1 oz. Cassis.

Top with club soda.

Garnish with blackberries.

 

Kiwi “tini”

Yield:  1 cocktail

The green and black specks in 

this drink make for a very 

dramatic presentation, the 

flavor is sublime

1 oz. chilled vodka

2 oz. chilled dry vermouth

1 peeled kiwi

Strawberries or kiwi slices 

for garnish optional

 

 Put the above ingredients and a handful of crushed ice, in a blender.  Puree.

Pour into a martini glass.

Garnish with strawberry, if desired.

Anything Mary

Yield:  1 cocktail

I love Rum Mary’s, my husband 

loves Bloody Mary’s, if you are 

partial to Gin or Tequila, try 

it…you will love it in my 

Anything Mary

 

Ice

2 oz. liquor of choice, i.e. 

vodka, rum, gin or Tequila

2 oz. store-bought Bloody 

Mary mix, i.e. Mr. and 

Mrs. T’s

2 oz. Clamato juice

1 oz. orange juice, with pulp

6 dashes Worcestershire  

Sauce

1 dash Siracha sauce, 

available in all supermarkets 

in the international aisle

1 lime wedge

Garnish of choice: boiled 

shrimp, skewered olives, 

skewered cornichon, skew

ered cherry tomatoes, 

alternating with cucumber 

chunks, lime wedges, 

anything but mundane 

celery!

Place ice in a large attractive 

glass.

Add all items except garnish.

Stir and garnish with whatever suits you. (Just remember to place it on a decorative skewer!)

 

Non-Alcoholic

Summer Sangria

Serves 4

The trick to this recipe is choosing an attractive pitcher.This is a festive drink to offer the under 21 set and your tea totaling friends. 

 

Ice

3 cups white grape juice

3/4 cup apple juice

1/2 cup  orange juice

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 lemon, thinly sliced, 

with peel

1/2 lime thinly sliced, 

with peel

1 medium orange, thinly 

sliced, with peel

1 small apple, cored, sliced 

into 8ths, with peel

1 small black plum, thinly 

sliced, with peel

2-3 cups sparkling mineral 

water or club soda, to taste

 Fill a pitcher with ice

 Combine the fruits and juices in the large pitcher.

 Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Just before serving, add mineral or carbonated water and stir together.  Serve.

 

Alexandra Troy is owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 33-year old Greenvale-based company, specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties.  For more photos and presentation follow Culinary Architect Catering on Facebook.

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