Frozen Margarita for hot summer evenings. |
July is usually the hottest month of summer, this year it
may lose out to June, but there’s still an adequate supply of hot weather in
store for Utah. Hot weather means that
when cocktail hour rolls around, Utah’s amateur mixologists should have plenty
of takers for their cocktails. The number of items on SPA (Special Price
Adjustment) this month dropped from just over 400 in June to just over 300 in
July, so if you want to make some great cocktails, there are some good cocktail
ingredients on sale this month at the Utah DABC State
Liquor Stores.
When it’s this hot (i.e. high 90’s to 100 for several days
in a row), my thoughts turn to frozen drinks, and for some reason that makes me
think of Rum. My wife and I will enjoy a
nice Piña Colada or two every so many
hot evenings. If you limit your Piña
Coladas to light Rum, Bacardi’s is on sale this month, but if you don’t mind an
off-color drink, go with the Mount Gay Eclipse Rum (CS# 042666 down
14% to $19). It also goes well in two of
my favorite Rum coolers: the Mojito and the
classic Rum and Coke (with
lime, of course).
As hot as it is, you are probably looking for some great
summer cooler cocktail recipes in time for your barbecue or pool party, or just
to enjoy after mowing the lawn. Here are
some suggestions that will save you money by taking advantage of items that are
marked down this month.
The classic Gin cooler for hot weather is the Gin and Tonic. This month you might want to try one using
New Amsterdam Gin (1750ml CS# 031473 down 11% to $24), an excellent
economy Gin. It goes well in a Tom Collins,
too. If you’re more interested in a Classic Martini, pick up some Hendricks
Gin (CS# 028625 down 8% to $34) or some Bombay Gin (CS# 028206 down 17% to
$19). No, it’s not a cooler, but it sure
does taste good!
Deals on Vodka this month include liter
bottles of Ketel One (CS# 034457 down 10% to $28) and liters of Absolut (CS# 034007
down 7% to $25). If you like cranberry
juice, try these in a Cosmo Cooler, a descendant of the
classic cocktail. If
you like your Whiskey drinks (Bourbon anyone?) I can recommend a Mint Julep, so pick up a liter of
Evan Williams Single Barrel (down 7% to $27) and find some mint.
Some of my favorite mixing Tequilas are marked down this
month: try El Jimador Reposado (CS# 089278 down 15% to $17), or the Blanco (down
15% to $17). Both of these go well in a
classic Margarita (or enjoy one frozen),
or in two great Tequila coolers: the Margarita Cooler
and the Tequila Mojito.
So find a shady spot when you get home
from work, kick back, and enjoy a nice summer cooler or a delicious cocktail.