{"id":3439,"date":"2025-06-29T14:00:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T19:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=3439"},"modified":"2025-06-29T06:47:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T11:47:40","slug":"find-your-go-to-summer-drink-to-cool-down-and-let-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/?p=3439","title":{"rendered":"Find Your Go-To Summer Drink to Cool Down and Let Go"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Find Your Go-To Summer Drink to Cool Down and Let Go<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tIs there more to a refreshing spritz than Aperol? And how can you find your favorite ros\u00e9? Forbes\u2019 spirits contributors share the cocktails, wines and beers that make summer drinking fun.<\/b><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tSummer can be a time to relax more and make fewer big decisions as sunnier days unfold. The only thing more refreshing than a cold drink may be the relief of not having to think too hard about what to pour.

\n\nWhether you’re in the mood for beer, cocktails, wine or alternative beverages, Forbes’ expert drinks contributors have something to recommend.

\n\nSip these beverages poolside, at the beach and at your next summer barbecue.

\n Spirited Summer Cocktails

\nTequila <\/b>

\n\nThe margarita might become the drink of the summer, writes Forbes spirits contributor Jillian Dara, but don’t be surprised if you encounter an unexpected watermelon incursion.

\n\nWhether you prefer the classic or a fun variation, the right tequila matters. Emily Price, another spirits contributor, says that most bartenders recommend a blanco or a carefully selected reposado for added depth. \u201cChoosing a tequila that balances naturally with the acidity of fresh lime is crucial, especially if you want the agave character\u2014not sugar or additives\u2014to be the star,\u201d Price writes.

\n\nThe right tequila isn\u2019t always the most popular or expensive brand, warns hospitality professional and Forbes contributor Isidoro Rodriguez. Whatever booze you use, Dara says you can give your margarita a creative boost with raspberry, turbinado crystal or even activated charcoal salt.

\n\nFor tequila so good it doesn\u2019t need to be in a cocktail, Forbes contributor and honorary Maestro Tequilero Joe Micallef recommends Don Nacho Tributo Reposado Tequila, which delivers \u201ca refined tasting experience that appeals to both connoisseurs and beginners.\u201d

\n Gin and Vodka<\/b>

\n\nClassics like a gin and tonic can be enjoyed year round, but Dara recommends mixed drinks like a gin gimlet, bee\u2019s knees or French 75 that bring out the spirit\u2019s summery qualities. They work whether you prefer citrus-forward expressions or a floral garden in a glass.

\n\nAnother classic gin cocktail, the martini has endless summer variations that can be fruity or botanical.

\n\nDon\u2019t like gin? A martini is a refreshing showcase for vodka, like Xaoma Gold, which is produced in Kazakhstan and won the London Spirits Competition. Forbes contributor Brad Japhe says the vodka has “aromatic infusions of Central Asian herbs, resulting in a spirit that sings with coffee and lemon in a crisp finish.\u201d

\n\nCitrus is \u201cthe backbone of the bar cart,\u201d Price writes, bringing \u201cbrightness, structure and just enough acidity to keep even the booziest drink feeling crisp and clean.\u201d It\u2019s a no-brainer with vodka and gin but can mingle with just about anything.

\n\n\nIn particular, the bright color and freshness of lemons are “reflective of seasons when all feels warm, sunny and full of promise,\u201d dining contributor Aly Walansky says. Try these 17 refreshing lemon cocktails at bars and restaurants, or pick up some inspiration for your next summer party.

\n Whiskey<\/b>

\n\nWhiskey isn’t typically a warm-weather spirit, found mostly in a summer sour or a peach-bourbon smash. But our contributor Paul Caputo spotlights six summer standouts \u2014 single malts and blends \u2014 that are lighter, with more floral styles that are ideal for effervescent highballs or sipping alone on nights by the fire pit.

\n\nFor summer, “when popularity swells for sweeter libations,\u201d Forbes contributor John Kell reminds us that brands like Jim Beam launch fruit-inspired expressions. Its pineapple bourbon is Jim Beam’s first new expression in four years, aiming to appeal to drinkers who wouldn’t reach for traditional bourbons, but might consider a tropical alternative.

\n\nBourbon drinkers who prefer bourbon-flavored bourbon can get surprisingly good bottles for less than $50.

\n\nYou can also pair tropical fruits with rum, tequila or mezcal. Stone fruits are a velvety red carpet for bourbon, brandy or gin. And \u201cwith their high water content and soft sweetness,\u201d melons make for refreshing cocktails that \u201care perfect over crushed ice,\u201d Price writes.

\nPro-Tip: Spritz Up Your Sunbathing<\/b>

\n\nInventive variations are outshining the quintessential Aperol spritz, writes Forbes spirits contributor Rachel King. Elderflower fans should try the Hugo and a limoncello spritz is perfect for lemon lovers.

\n\nHome bartenders can test recipes for lychee and peach jasmine tea spritzes that Forbes contributor Emily Cappiello sourced straight from some of the world’s most celebrated waterfront hotels. Her list also includes a \u201cdetox-inspired\u201d take on the Moscow mule and a coconutty ode to ranch water.

\n Wine For Garden Parties, Sunsets and Tennis

\nRos\u00e9<\/b>

\n\nThe ros\u00e9 section of your wine shop can seem like a color-coded summer mood board, where it’s difficult to find what you like among all those pinkish hues.

\n\n\u201cRos\u00e9 can be made almost anywhere, but some growing regions produce it with more precision and intent,\u201d King writes. The minerality of volcanic soils can enhance some of the style\u2019s best qualities, while the south of France provides the sun and warm weather ideal for ros\u00e9. The grape, age and color of the wine also hold important clues.

\n\nAs you learn what you like, explore some unexpected regions, too. Or go beyond the blush stereotype to explore wines by producers that King says, \u201cnow approach ros\u00e9 with the same rigor they bring to red or white wines.\u201d

\n Whites, Oranges and Even Reds<\/b>

\n\nForbes lifestyle contributor Katie Kelly Bell recommends a selection of \u201ctennis whites\u201d to enjoy while taking in Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Sip on a champagne-style sparkling wine from England during the grass-court grand slam and American whites, of course, for the hard-court Open.

\n\nThere\u2019s plenty to discover beyond pinks and whites: The best wines for summer, Dara writes, include natural orange wines, like a dry, pleasantly cloudy skin-contact moscato, and even a Sangiovese-dominant chillable red.

\n Pro-tip: Wine Cocktails Can Be a Thing<\/b>

\n\nCan Sauvignon Blanc really taste like a spicy margarita? See for yourself by infusing adding jalape\u00f1os to the right wine.

\n Beer to Cool Off on a Hot Day<\/b>

\n\nLagers are hard to beat in the heat and a crisp, clean pilsner \u2014 a type of lager known as the \u201cbrewer\u2019s handshake\u201d \u2014 is a summer favorite. Erik Ofgang, a Forbes drinks contributor, says pilsner \u201cis considered one of the clearest indicators of a given brewer\u2019s skill.\u201d\n\nIf you take your leisure time libations seriously and want to know that your beermaker does, too, consider the pilsner winners from this year\u2019s World Beer Cup. Or take a road trip for some of America\u2019s best lagers \u2014 our contributor Hudson Lindenberger has the ideal route.

\n\n\nLight beers are summer standbys, but Ofgang notes that heavier-hitting IPAs are 60% of the craft beer market, according to the Brewers Association, and “hazy IPAs are the most popular IPA subcategory.\u201d They tend to be fruitier, juicier and less bitter, all refreshing qualities for summer.

\n\n Pro-tip: Go Gluten-Free This Summer<\/b>

\n\nA number of breweries offer gluten-free beers, and Forbes beer contributor Em Sauter also recommends cider, which is usually gluten-free.

\n THC For a Change<\/b>

\n\nSome drinkers are shifting toward “sessionable, lifestyle-oriented drinks” \u2014 cannabis beverages.

\n\nIn states where it’s legal, consider some of the High Spirits Awards\u2019 best THC drinks of 2025. Highlights include a vanilla latte, an island punch and an RTD \u201crum\u201d and cola.

\n\nIf you do consume both THC and alcoholic drinks, be careful: The combination can exacerbate the effects of both in unpredictable ways. \u201cIt\u2019s best to start low and go slow\u2014or, better yet, stick to one or the other in a given evening,” Price says.

\n\nWhen you host, make sure you label drinks clearly.

\n Non-Alcoholic Summer Celebrations<\/b>

\n\nBeverages are the backbone of many summer gatherings. For your guests who choose not to drink alcohol \u2014 or those who engage in mindful practices like zebra striping \u2014 offer them something that doesn\u2019t \u201ctaste like sad juice.\u201d

\n\nMany NA ros\u00e9s use traditional production methods in pursuit of \u201cbalance, clarity and drinkability\u2014sometimes without the buzz.\u201d Another option: the Phony Negroni, a bottled NA cocktail that Ofgang says is \u201cbright and bursting with that orange peel tartness found in an alcohol-fueled negroni.\u201d

\n\nIf you followed lifestyle contributor Andy Vasoyan\u2019s advice for Father\u2019s Day gifting, see if dad has any leftover NA brews to share. Athletic Brewing is known for seasonal releases and Best Day Brewing\u2019s Electro-Lime Cerca de Cerveza has \u201ca zippy hint of lime and a smooth mouthfeel that make it a refreshing summer swig.\u201d


\n\nContributor: Sarah Perez \u2013 Forbes<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Find Your Go-To Summer Drink to Cool Down and Let Go Is there more to a refreshing spritz than Aperol? And how can you find your favorite ros\u00e9? Forbes\u2019 spirits contributors share the cocktails, wines and beers that make summer drinking fun. Summer can be a time to relax more and make fewer big decisions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,4,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","category-lifestyle","category-nutrition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3439"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3443,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3439\/revisions\/3443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/claremontcoloniccenter.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}