This holiday weekend isn’t just about barbecues and pool parties. It’s also about honoring the memory of those who died making good times possible because — believe it or not — there were times when this way of life we enjoy was under genuine threat of extinction.
So, when you raise a glass this weekend, maybe send a toast the way of brave men and women.
Also: Dipping into Bourbon History at Maker’s Mark Distillery
If you don’t know what to put in that glass that’s original and new to you, you’ll find some original cocktails recipes sent our way in the gallery below.
We’ll get you started here with the Botanist Gun Blueberry Smash.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts The Botanist Gin
- ¾ part fresh lime
- 1 part simple syrup
- 10 blueberries
- 2 sprigs of thyme
Directions:
- Muddle 7 blueberries and 1 sprig of thyme in a mixing glass.
- Add rest of ingredients with ice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain over fresh ice.
Simple Syrup Directions:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan, bring to boil and simmer until sugar is fully dissolved, stirring frequently.
- Set aside to cool.
Garnish:
Sprig of thyme and 3 blueberries on a noshi gushi.
Memorial Day Cocktails
This Memorial Day weekend isn't just about a summer party. So, raise one of these glasses to the memory of those lost.
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Tilted Kilt Spicy Ancho Chili Margarita
Ingredients:
- 1800 Silver Tequila
- Ancho
- Reyes Liqueur
- Fresh lime juice
- Simple syrup
Directions: Blend in a tall glass. Salt optional.
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Blockheads Flavored Frozen Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of your favorite Tequila
- 4 oz fresh squeezed lemon lime juice
- 1 oz Cranberry Purée or flavoring of your choosing
- Squeeze of Agave Syrup
Directions:
Blend and garnish.
-
Be Mixed Cucumber Watermelon Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Be Mixed Cucumber Mint
- 4 cubes fresh watermelon
- 1.5 oz vodka
Directions:
- Crush watermelon cubes lightly with a spoon and pour into a cocktail shaker.
- Add vodka and 1 bottle Be Mixed Cucumber Mint to the shaker Pour into glass over ice.
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Margarita Jello Shots
Ingredients:
- 2 pints large, fresh strawberries
- 2 limes, halved and thinly sliced, for garnish
- 6 oz. lime gelatin
- 6 parts Jose Cuervo Especial® Silver
- 4 parts fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 6 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoons sugar (or more)
- ½–1 part triple sec
- Pinch of salt
Directions:
- Cut bottoms of strawberries flat so they stand upright. Using a huller, apple corer or paring knife, carefully remove the fruit from inside the strawberry. Be careful not to make a hole in the bottom. Once emptied, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat the strawberries dry.
- Make lime gelatin according to package directions. In a medium bowl, add tequila and fresh-squeezed juices.
- Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over the top. Heat water in a microwave until boiling, add sugar and whisk a few times. Pour hot sugar water into the tequila and add triple sec and a small pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture until gelatin dissolves (about 3 minutes). If gelatin is not dissolving, heat briefly (about 30 seconds) in the microwave, being careful not to allow mixture to boil; continue whisking until both gelatin and sugar dissolve.
- Pour the mixture into a 1-cup glass measuring cup and slowly pour into the center of each strawberry.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
-
Zevia Treehouse Punch
Ingredients:
- • 1.5 oz gin
- • .5 oz lime juice
- • .5 oz simple syrup
- • .5 oz Pama liquor
- • .5 oz pineapple juice
- • 2 oz Zevia Lemon Lime Twist
Directions:
- 1. In a glass over ice, combine the gin, lime juice, simple syrup, Pama liquor and pineapple juice.
- 2. Mix well and top with Zevia Lemon Lime Twist.
- 3. This can be made for a larger crowd in a punch bowl by combining 3 parts gin, 1 part lime juice, 1 part simple syrup, 1 part Pama liquor and 1 part pineapple juice.
- 4. Mix well, and serve over ice, topping the glass with Zevia Lemon Lime Twist.
