We tasked our incredibly talented, not to toot his horn — but lets do it anyway, Mixology Editor, Orlando Carreira, with coming up with some tropical inspired, refreshing and energizing Poolside Cocktails that will have you begging for more. He did just that. These three cocktails, while masculinely crafted, are the perfect poolside refresher for anyone — of age of course, and drink responsively — and can easily and quickly be crafted from widely available ingredients. I won’t keep you drooling any longer, let’s jump right in.
Boozy Tropical Sangria
A spin off a traditional sangria, but with a tropical twist, and an extra boozy punch. A cocktails with the perfect combination of sweet, sour and refreshing. If you like a bubbles, go for the Moet Nectar Imperial Rose Champagne, if you want something a little more traditional, then use your favourite rose, red or even white wine.
Ingredients:
- 10oz Watermelon Juice
- 8oz Lemonade
- 6oz Coconut Water
- 5oz Grey Goose Vodka
- Handful of Watermelon Chunks
- Handful of Pineapple Chunks
- 1 750ml bottle of Moet Nectar Imperial Rosé Champagne or Rosé wine alternative
Instructions:
In a 64oz pitcher, mix the Watermelon Juice, Lemonade, Coconut Water and Vodka. Stir all ingredients together with the pitcher ⅓ full of ice. Then add the handfuls of watermelon and pineapple chunks, and stir everything together. Add the bottle of bottle of Rose, and stir well for about 5 seconds to ensure to mix up all the ingredients and ice. Serve in a tall glass over ice and make sure each glass gets at least 1 of each fruit chunk.
Campfire Coffee
Don’t let the name mistaken you, this is no plain cup of joe. While still refreshingly boozy, this is the perfect afternoon pick me up for anyone needing a little caffeine boost like no other before. It’s not an espresso martini, nor a coffee and baileys, yet better. But why take our word for it, you can shake one of these cocktails up in less than 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1oz Nespresso Vanizio (or any espresso)
- 2oz Remy Martin XO
- 0.5oz simple syrup (50/50 sugar-water)
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 2 jumbo cubes (or 4-5 ice cubes or as needed)
- 1 mini Coffee Crisp chocolate bar (or a dark chocolate alternative)
Instructions
Take your shaker and add the Nespresso, Remy Martin, simple syrup and orange bitters. Shake vigorously. Then take your glass, add your ice cubes, and strain over the mix from the shaker. Garnish with your mini Coffee Crisp or alternative chocolate, preferably on a garnish stick or toothpick. Step and repeat! Feel free to double up the ingredients to make two at a time if needed.
‘Guilt-Free’ Trendsetter
This is like an Arnold Palmer, if Arnold Palmers were good for your gut. Not all of us are willing to just drink all our daily calories away. This cocktail although extremely delicious, is not as calorie heavy as many others out there — especially the super sweet ones know to many tropical destinations. Kind of feels like a mojito, but better!
Ingredients:
- 1oz Maestro Dobel Diamante Reposado (Cristallino) Tequila
- 0.5oz 1800 Coconut Tequila Liqueur
- 1oz white peach nectar
- 1 oz lemonade
- 1 bottle of Tonica Ginger Kombucha (or similar)
- 3 sprigs of mint
- 1 pinch of himalayan salt
Instructions
Take your shaker and add the Tequila, 1800 Coconut Tequila Liqueur, white peach nectar, lemonade, salt, and mint — and no need to muddle like a mojito, as it will bruise the mint and overpower the cocktail flavors. Shake vigorously. Then pour into a tall glass filled with ice, and top up with the Kombucha. Garnish with a few extra thin slices of peach on a garnish pick or toothpick. Again feel free to double up and make two at a time if necessary. Bottoms up!
Either or all of these cocktails will definitely ensure a fun filled day/afternoon/evening by the pool, beach, backyard or patio this summer. Feel free to alternate similar ingredients to your own personal preference. And remember, drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive, and have an amazing summer poolside with your cocktails!
Credits:
Mixologist: Orlando Carreira / @whoisorlando
Photographer: Brian Sungeun Ji / @jibra94
Producer, Creative Direction & Styling: Steven Branco / @chiefswaggerofficer
Production Assistant: Ethan Zhang / @ethanxhzhang
BTS Videographer/Production Assistant: Andy Youn / @younandy
Styling Assistant: Marilyn Hidalgo / @marilyn010194
Second Shooter BTS Photographer and Videographer: Calvin Hui / @calvinhui_
Location: Lavelle Rooftop Pool above King St. W. in Toronto / @chezlavelle
Glassware: Club Tumblers Large & Small, EQ3 / @eq3