Father’s Day and Summer Kickoff: Cheers to Dads and Sunshine!

Sip & Synopsis - This Weeks Inspiration

• Father's and Sunny Days
• Drink Highlight: Classic Old Fashioned
• Drinks to Toast To Dad
• Seasonal Spotlight: Refreshing Summer Cocktails

Hello, cocktail enthusiasts! As we approach the middle of June, it's time to celebrate two wonderful occasions: Father’s Day and the official start of summer. This week, we’re bringing you hearty drinks to toast to dads and refreshing cocktails to welcome the sunny days ahead. Let’s raise our glasses to the incredible fathers in our lives and the start of a vibrant summer season!

Get ready to sip on some history with this week's featured drink, the Classic Old Fashioned! This timeless cocktail dates back to the early 1800s and is often considered one of the oldest known cocktails. The term "cocktail" itself was first defined in 1806 as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters, essentially describing the Old Fashioned. Its name, “Old Fashioned,” reflects its straightforward, no-frills preparation method, making it a drink that’s all about getting back to basics.

Believe it or not, the earliest versions of the Old Fashioned used gin. However, as American whiskey grew in popularity, bourbon and rye took over, making the Old Fashioned a quintessential whiskey cocktail. This drink’s simplicity and elegance have made it a favorite for generations.

Traditionally, the Old Fashioned is garnished with a twist of citrus peel and sometimes a maraschino cherry. This not only adds a touch of color but also enhances the drink’s aromatic profile. Bartenders love to put their own spin on the Old Fashioned, experimenting with different bitters, sweeteners, and even spirits, resulting in countless delicious variations.

With events like Old Fashioned Week dedicated to celebrating it, this cocktail’s enduring popularity is clear. So, raise a glass of this classic cocktail and toast to its rich history and timeless appeal (Like my Dad) and Cheers to the Old Fashioned – a true testament to the art of mixology!

Whiskey Sour

Ingredients: 2 oz whiskey, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, ice.

Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.

Negroni

Ingredients: 1 oz gin, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz sweet vermouth, ice.

Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

Dark and Stormy

Ingredients: 2 oz dark rum, 3 oz ginger beer, 1/2 oz lime juice, ice.

Instructions: Fill a glass with ice, add dark rum and lime juice, and top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

Beat the heat with these cool and refreshing summer drinks. 

Watermelon Mojito

Ingredients: 2 oz white rum, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, watermelon cubes, soda water, ice.

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and watermelon cubes in a glass. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice, top with soda water, and stir gently. Garnish with a mint sprig and watermelon wedge.

Cucumber Basil Smash

Ingredients: 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, cucumber slices, fresh basil leaves, ice.

Instructions: Muddle cucumber slices and basil leaves in a shaker. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice, shake well, and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a basil leaf and cucumber slice.

Thank you for joining us on this weeks journey of flavors and fun. Here’s to a fantastic start to the summer season, filled with great drinks, good company, and wonderful memories. 

Cheers to all the incredible fathers out there, whether they're with us now or forever in our hearts, and to many sunny days ahead!

~ Andrea