Mixing Up Memorial Day Cocktails

  • By: Ashley Joy Parker

Sip, Salute and Celebrate…

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off of summer, so whether your plans involve grillin’, chillin’ or wilin’ out, a good drink is one the the best accessories one can sport over the long weekend. From patriotic punches to sophisticated slushies, check out eight MDW-approved cocktail recipes below.

Related | 7 Celebrity Hotspots In West Hollywood

Stars & Stripes Strawberry Basil Smash

ABERFELDY Strawberry Basil Smash

ABERFELDY’s festive Strawberry Basil Smash provides fruity and floral notes paired with honeyed sweetness and an earthy finish with fresh basil. 

  •  1 ½ oz. ABERFELDY 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • 3-5 Strawberries
  • 3 Basil Leaves
  • ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
  • ½ oz. Simple Syrup

Method: Shake all ingredients, pour over fresh ice and rock glass. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.

Freedom & Tonic

Juniper Grove Freedom Tonic

Juniper Grove’s Freedom & Tonic is a summer spin on a classic, incorporating fresh fruits with a traditional tonic bite.

Method: Line the bottom of your glass with ½ oz of grenadine and then fill with ice. Take 1⁄4 of the white peach and drop it into a shaker tin with the gin and muddle. Gently strain over your ice filled goblet and top with tonic water and fresh blueberries.

Red, White & Boom Punch

SVEDKA Red White and Boom

SVEDKA’s patriotic punch is a bonafide crowd pleaser. The crisp, clean vodka mixed with refreshing lemonade is what summers should taste like.

  • 1 ¾ Parts SVEDKA Vodka
  • ¾ Parts Lemonade
  • ½ Parts Triple Sec
  • 1 Part Cranberry Juice
  • 1 Part Fresh Lime Juice

Method: Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher. Add 5-6 cups of ice, stir, and garnish with blueberries and strawberries. As the party continues, add more ice and fruit as needed.

Cranberry Paloma

Milagro Select Cranberry Paloma

Whether you’re a seasoned tequila drinker or newcomer to the world of agave spirits, Milagro’s Cranberry Paloma will bring you to the brighter side of tequila, just in time for summer.

  • 1 ½ Parts Milagro Select Silver
  • ¾ Part Fresh Lime Juice
  • ¾ Part Fresh Cranberry Juice
  • ½ Part Thyme Simple Syrup 
  • 2 Parts Pink Grapefruit Soda

Method: Pour all ingredients, except pink grapefruit soda, into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top with pink grapefruit soda and garnish with skewered cranberries.

Related | Megan Thee Stallion, Mariah Carey To Headline LA Pride in the Park 2023

Royal Blue Slush

Royal Blue Smash

Your favorite childhood slushie gets an adult makeover with this Crown Royal concoction. The rock candy extra keeps with the playful summertime vibe.

Method: Add Crown Royal, Blue Curaçao, Simple Sugar and Ice to a blender and blend until slushy. Pour into a glass and add a sugar stick for garnish.

Guava Slay

Guava Slay - Amal Miami

Get ready to slay the holiday weekend with this fantastic fruity sipper. Created by the mixologists at Miami hotspot Amal, the Guava Slay will literally leave you feeling like you are vacationing in South Beach.

  • 1 ½ oz. Tromba Reposado
  • ¾ oz. Guava Purée
  • ¾ oz. Lime Juice
  • 1 oz. Grapefruit Juice
  • 1 oz. Fever-tree Grapefruit Soda 

Method: Add all ingredients in a wine glass. Build over ice, top with Fever-tree grapefruit soda and stir.

Sail Me Back Home

Sail Me Back Home

Even if you can’t make it to the beach this weekend, the Sail Me Back Home will transport your tastebuds to your personal paradise with island flavors of Venezuelan rum, Santa Teresa 1796 pineapple syrup, and ginger beer.

  • 1 ½ oz. Santa Teresa 1796

  • ½ oz.  Simple Syrup

  • 1 oz. Lime Juice 

  • 1 ½ oz. Ginger Beer 

  • 2 Chunks of Pineapple

  • Pinch of Granulated Cinnamon 

Method: Muddle pineapple in a shaker, add the rest of ingredients, shake with ice, double strain over ice in a Collins glass, top with ginger beer and garnish with mint sprig and half pineapple sliced.

Salty Dog

Nolet Salty DogNOLET’s take on the Salty Dog, classic cocktail made with grapefruit juice and a salted rim, is perfect for a warm, sunny day. 

  • 2 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
  • 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice 
  • Salt (Kosher, Sea, Himalayan, or flavored with Smoke or Basil)
  • Dash of Bitters
  • Herbal Muddle (basil, mint, rosemary, arugula or cucumber)
  • Splash of Soda, Tonic or Ginger Beer

  • Garnish Options: Cucumber, Fresh Herbs, Grapefruit Slices or Wheels, Edible Flowers, Jalepeño, Peppercorns

Method: Rim a lowball glass with salt, muddle herbs, add ice. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour over ice and garnish.

Read More