Small Town Summer: My Favorite Summer Drink

In my opinion, when it comes to summer cocktails, the simpler the better. The weather is muggy and unbelievably hot. And while the experts say that alcohol dehydrates you even more, this is the time of year when Americans drink the most.

And while homemade infused liquors seem to be all the foodie rage, every once in awhile, I still enjoy the simpler things in life.

While I often make elaborate mixed drinks for my family, their favorite is one of my most simple. So as the Family Bartender I say simple is delicious.

Ergo, my signature drink:

Disaronno and Ginger Ale with Lime

 This drink is very easy for anyone to make. Just make sure you have the best ingredients.                             

Every time I have made this drink, my mother has any adult who is present take a sip and then proceed to offer up my services to make them one of their own.

You may be surprised to hear that I have never had someone turn this down once they try one. It is refreshing, light, and delicious. What most people like is that is doesn't have much alcohol in it so it makes for easy sipping in the Summer or anytime of year. While it seems to be most refreshing in the Summer, this drink is delicious all year long.

              

I am a known bargain shopper to the point that I will go from store-to-store looking for the best price. Still, there are certain items, especially when it comes to food that I am not willing to go cheap on. Most notably, meat, vegetables, and alcohol.

There are certain exceptions to this rule, but the type of Amaretto we use it not one of them. You might be different, but when I am making this drink for my family I cannot use any thing else other than Disaronno.

 Ingredients:

1 part Disaronno or  other Amaretto

3 parts Ginger Ale (I like Canada Dry but any brand will work)

Juice of 1/2 of a fresh lime

Lime Wedge

Lots of Ice

Directions:

Fill an Old-fashioned glass (8-10 oz. glass) half way with ice.

Or defined by Drink Mixer's Bartender Guide as a short, round so called "rocks" glass, suitable for cocktails or liquor served on the rocks, or "with a splash".

Pour a shot of Disaronno into the glass, about a fourth of the glass that is filled with ice.

Fill the rest of the glass with Ginger Ale and squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lime.

Stir drink with a spoon and garnish with a lime wedge.

I some times sprinkle a little powered sugar on top but this isn't necessary.

Voila! Delicious and simple all in one refreshing glass!

Look for my Mango Margaritas coming soon. I recently made margaritas with frozen mango chunks, mango Italian ice, and mint instead on watermelon. Not only did everyone love it but they liked them even more than my tried-and-true Watermelon variety.

It was one of those bitter sweet moments where you must accept that something you've created is better than a previous version (that you also created). I do not think this new version is neccesarily better,  just different. But both delicious.

What is great about both these varieties is that they make fantastic non-alcoholic treats as well, just take out the alcohol and add more orange juice.

This has been a tradition in my family ever since I was a kid when my father would make his famous pina coladas and would add the alcohol last, so I could have a bit of the virgin-blend.


So make a simple cocktail and sit on the porch to enjoy the summer heat. (Or sit by a window in an air-conditioned room)

Enjoy!

Love,

The College Cuisiner