- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/3 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, AKA the perfect time to enjoy some refreshing cocktails and mocktails!
What makes a good cocktail and mocktail is the ability to please the eyes, mouth, and stomach — all of which are also priorities when it comes to Labor Day Weekend. That is why we’ve gathered six of our favorite drink recipes to give you our ultimate party planning secrets when it comes to hosting an epic Labor Day get-together.
Whether you’re having a backyard barbecue, pool party, or simply staying home alone to enjoy the rest and relaxation of a three-day-weekend, these cocktails and mocktails are sure to please your taste buds this Labor Day!
Here are 3 of the Best cocktails for Labor Day:
Mojito:
This classic Cuban cocktail is made with rum, lime juice, mint, and sugar. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot day.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar, to taste
- 4 leafy sprigs of fresh mint, each about 5 to 6 inches long
- 2 ounces white rum
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- Ice
- Club soda or sparkling water (I like Topo Chico)
- Entirely optional: 1 to 2 drops of Angostura bitters
- 1 lime round, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a sturdy, heavy-bottomed, tall cocktail glass, add the sugar and 3 sprigs of the mint (we’ll reserve the last sprig for garnish).
- Muddle the mint with the sugar about 5 to 10 times, until the mint is very fragrant (not so much that the mint completely falls apart).
- Pour in the rum and the lime juice, and gently stir a few times to help dissolve the sugar. Fill the glass with ice.
- Fill the glass with club soda nearly to the top. Gently stir in a circular motion to combine, then use your spoon to drag some of the muddled mint higher up into the glass.
- Taste, and stir in more sugar if desired. Add a drop or two of bitters, if desired.
- To garnish, place the lime round in the glass. Gently clap the remaining sprig of mint between your palms (this releases some of the oils) and tuck it into your glass, leaving the top exposed. Serve cold, with a wide straw.
Recipe courtesy of cookieandkate.com
Espresso Martini:
This coffee-flavored cocktail is made with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. It’s a great choice for those who love a little caffeine in their drinks.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)
- 1 ounce espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Garnish: coffee beans
Instructions:
- Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
This British cocktail is made with Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, cucumber, strawberries, and mint. It’s a refreshing and flavorful drink that’s perfect for a summer party.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
- ½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Ginger ale, to top
- Garnish: cucumber slice
- Garnish: mint sprig
- Garnish: strawberry
- Garnish: lemon wheel (optional)
- Garnish: orange wheel (optional)
Instructions:
- Add Pimm’s No. 1 and lemon juice into a highball glass over ice, then top with ginger ale and stir briefly to combine.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice, mint sprig, skewered strawberry and optional lemon and orange wheels.
Here are 3 of the Best mocktails for Labor Day:
Sparkling Lemonade:
This refreshing drink is made with lemonade, sparkling water, and mint. It’s a great way to stay hydrated without the alcohol.
Ingredients:
- ½ cucumber sliced
- 4 oz club soda
- Fresh mint
- Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade
- Ice
- Optional: ½ cucumber sliced into “ribbon-like” shapes and lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions:
-
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber slices and mint together.
-
Shake and pour over ice.
-
Top with Sparkling Ice Classic Lemonade and club soda and garnish with ribbon-shaped cucumbers and lemon wedges, if desired. Enjoy!
Virgin Piña Colada:
This tropical drink is made with pineapple juice, coconut milk, and lime juice. It’s the perfect way to feel like you’re on vacation.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, garnish with a pineapple wedge, and serve immediately.
Hibiscus Iced Tea:
This beautiful drink is made with hibiscus tea, simple syrup, and lemon juice. It’s a delicious and refreshing way to end the summer.
Ingredients:
- 3 bags of hibiscus tea or 1 tablespoon loose hibiscus tea (I used Tazo’s “Passion” blend)
- 3 cups (24 ounces) water
- 2 small limes (about 4 tablespoons lime juice), plus lime rounds for garnish
- Topo Chico or other sparkling water or club soda
- Ice, for serving
- Honey Simple Syrup:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
- To prepare the tea component, heat the water to a low simmer, either in a tea pot or in a saucepan on the stovetop. Steep the tea in the hot water for 3 minutes, then remove the bags (or strain off the loose tea). Set the tea aside to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
- To make the honey syrup: Combine equal parts honey and water (say, 2 tablespoons each if you’re only making one batch of drinks) in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan. Warm in the microwave or over the stovetop just until you can completely stir the honey into the water. Set aside.
- When you’re ready to serve, fill four medium glasses with ice. Fill each halfway with hibiscus tea. Top each with about a tablespoon of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of the honey simple syrup, and stir to combine. Fill the rest of each glass with sparkling water, gently stirring afterward to combine. You may want to adjust to taste by using less lime juice or more simple syrup — totally up to you! Serve promptly.
No matter what your (or your guests’) taste, there’s sure to be a cocktail and/or mocktail on this list that’s perfect for your Labor Day plans. So gather your friends and family, and enjoy a refreshing drink to celebrate the end of summer.
