Anyone that follows me on Instagram, knows that I love cocktails and cooking. And they also probably know that I love the blog Half Baked Harvest by Tieghan Girard. Her photos are to die for and the recipes are just as good. Check out my 3 favourite summer cocktail recipes by Half Baked Harvest below! These all utilize some of the seasons best berries and my favourite…the herbs!
1. Strawberry Mojito
- 1 lime, quartered
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
- 2 ounces white rum
- ginger beer
- zest of 1 lime and 2 tbsp granulated sugar for rim
1. To make the lime sugar. Combine the lime zest, sugar, and a pinch of salt on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in sugar, then fill with ice.
2. Raspberry Negroni
For the Raspberry Thyme Syrup:
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/3 cup honey
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Negroni:
- 1 tsp raspberry jam
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 to 2 oz raspberry syrup
- 1 egg white or aquafava
- To make the raspberry syrup. In a medium pot, bring 1/4 cup water, the raspberries, honey, and thyme to a boil over high heat. Boil 2-3 minutes, mashing the berries down to release their juice. Remove from the heat. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the fig, gin, vermouth, Campari, and lemon juice. Muddle together, squashing everything to release the juices. Fill with ice and add the 1-2 ounces raspberry syrup and the egg white. Shake vigorously until fizzy on top, about 1 minute. Strain into a glass. Drink and enjoy!
3. Blueberry Lemon Thyme Smash
- 2 tbsp fresh blueberries plus more for topping
- 1 to 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves plus a sprig for serving
- juice from half a lemon
- 2 tbsp blueberry jam
- 1 1/2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz St. Germain liquor
- sparkling water
- zest of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp chopped thyme leaves for lemon sugar
- To make the lemon sugar. Combine the lemon zest, sugar, and thyme on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in sugar, then fill with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, muddle the blueberries, thyme, and lemon juice, squashing everything to release the juices. Add the jam, bourbon, and elderflower liquor. Fill with ice and shake until combined.
- Strain into your prepared glass. Top off with sparkling water, then gently stir to combine.
Some other favourites of mine for summertime are a classic Negroni or classic Mojito and you can never, ever go wrong with a good Gin & Tonic! Let me know if you make any of these and I would love to see your photos!