bishop&holland

Dallas Fashion Blog

Our Favorite Summer Cocktail

tips for hosting a pool party

striped maxi (similar) // yellow maxi (similar) // off the shoulder dress (similar) // umbrella // table // chairs // glasses// bar cart

Happy Summer! We are living for these summer pool days, that turn into evenings and then enjoying our favorite cocktail by the pool before dinner.​​​​​​​

While we have been trying a lot of different cocktails so far this season, one of our all time favorites is this Rum Grapefruit Cooler that we’ve been making for years. We found the recipe in “Gourmet’s Parties” cookbook that focused on dining and entertaining and we’ve been making it every summer since. Having fresh mint growing in the garden makes this so easy to put together on a whim and the dash of Angostura bitters to top it off adds a a really special flavor- don’t skip that step :)​​​​​​​

Rum Grapefruit Cooler Recipe

*Serves 2

  • 4 mint springs
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2/3 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit
  • 1.5 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 3 ounces light rum
  • Grapefruit flavored sparkling water (we use Waterloo)
  • Angostura bitters
  1. Muddle sugar, juices and mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add rum and 1 cup of ice.
  3. Shake about 30 seconds.
  4. Strain into two glasses full of ice.
  5. Top with sparkling water and bitters.
  6. Garnish with mint sprig and enjoy!

Cheers,

Stia, Jean and Katherine

summer cocktail

grapefruit cocktail, summer cocktails, summer cocktail recipes, summer entertaining

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One of our favorite summer traditions is trying out new summer cocktail recipes.  A few years ago we were at Whole Foods to buy some basil for a cocktail recipe we were going to make, and we saw the small pots of herbs that were available to plant.  We decided that rather than buying basil in the store, we would try to plant some that we could keep using over and over in all our summer recipes.  That was the beginning of our herb garden!  Now we grow basil, mint, chives, thyme and oregano, to name a few.  The one herb we have had trouble with is cilantro.  Any tips?

Here is one of our favorite summer time cocktails.  Grapefruit & tequila are a natural pair, but add some basil and this cocktail steps up a notch, for sure!  We found this grapefruit basil margarita recipe on Pinterest and have enjoyed quite a few on the patio.

Grapefruit Basil Margarita:

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz tequila
  • 1.5 oz. grapefruit juice
  • 1 slice grapefruit
  • 1 squeeze honey or agave
  • 3-4 basil leaves

Tear the basil leaves into a cocktail shaker.  Add the grapefruit slice and agave, and muddle together.  Add ice, tequila and grapefruit juice and shake well.  Pour into a martini glass and garnish with fresh basil.

Cheers,