It has been a wonderful and hot summer here in Toronto, and what do we do when it is hot? We drink! On Patios! Here are some great summer cocktails that I have been enjoying recently. 

Limonata

Crushed ice

2 ounces limoncello

1 ounce vodka

2 ounces soda water

2 medium mint leaves, torn in half 

- be sure to really crush your ice, or this will not be as enjoyable

- fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice and add the limoncello and vodka. Shake very well, to combine

- pour into cocktail glasses and add the soda water and stir to mix through

- top with the torn mint leaves

- imbibe

Havana Club Mojito

1 spoonfull of sugar

Juice of half a lime

Fresh mint

50 ml. Havana Club Anejo 3 Anos

Sparkling water

- in a tall glass crush some mint

- add the lime juice and sugar, rum, and 2-3 ice cubes

- top with sparkling, stir, garnish with mint leaves

Vanilla Grapefruit Mojito

1 part Vanilla simple syrup – I used some vanilla sugar for my simple syrup, but alternately you could add a vanilla pod or some extract while making the syrup

2-3 parts Grapefruit Perrier

2 parts Mint infused rum – fill a jar with your favourite mint and rum and let it sit for 2-4 weeks

Riddled Mangosteen (Created by Suresh Doss, and slightly modified by me)

3 parts VQA sparkling wine

1 part Xango mangosteen juice (Can order by dialing toll-free: 1.888.311.0014) or you can make your own juice, they sell mangosteen in Chinatown

Splash of OJ or any citrus you have hanging about