On a hot summer afternoon we love to sit back and relax on our back porch with a refreshing cocktail to help cool down. Two of our recent favorites have been the grapefruit and cucumber cocktails below. Both refreshing and light, they are the perfect for any summer party (or, when you just need a damn drink)!

Cucumber Vodka Refresher

Ingredients: cucumber vodka and club soda, cucumber slices optional for garnish.

This one is super simple! Enjoyable as your BYOB or after a long day at work.

In a highball glass filled with ice, add 1 shot of Cucumber Vodka and top with club soda. Add cucumber slides for garnish.

Rosemary Grapefruit Spritz

Ingredients: Gin, grapefruit juice, sugar, rosemary and lemon-lime soda of choice, grapefruit optional for garnish.

Based on the lovely cocktail from Cooking Bride, this cocktail was spritzed up a bit with some lemon lime soda! This one requires you to make your own, rosemary infused simple syrup. (It’s a lot easier than it sounds—promise!) Recommend a little planning and doing about an hour before you want to serve.

For rosemary simple syrup, combine a cup of sugar with a cup of water and bring to a boil. Reducing to medium heat for 5 minutes. Add 2-3 springs of rosemary (or if you have dried rosemary, a tablespoon in a loose leaf teabag will also do) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove rosemary and place in a resealable jar or bottle and let cool in refrigerator for an hour.

Once your simple syrup has cooled, you are ready to mix your cocktail! In a shaker, combine two shots of gin, a shot of rosemary simple syrup and a cup of grapefruit juice over ice. Shake until combined. Pour into a tall glass with ice, top with lemon-lime soda!

Hope you enjoy! Cheers!