Is there anything better than a refreshing cocktail on a hot summer day? After you’ve hiked, biked, paddled, or golfed, there’s really only one thing to do: cool off with a cold, fruit-forward summer cocktail. 

We’ve teamed up with three women-owned cocktail mixer brands to bring you 7 mouthwatering libations made for the dog days of summer.

El Guapo Bitters

There are spirits and then there’s spirit, and El Guapo embodies both—in no small part because the leader at the helm, Christa, came of age in a craft cocktail culture ripe with creativity. A native of Leesburg, GA, Christa is passionate about all things Southern from cocktails and entertaining to the strong traditions of farming and community essential to Southern culture. Living in the cocktail capital since 2011 (that’s New Orleans, of course), she’s built a thriving business anchored in family, female entrepreneurship, and a commitment to good things done right.

Cucumber Lavender Gin Fizz 

INGREDIENTS
2 oz Empress Gin
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 oz Simple Syrup
5 Dashes El Guapo® Cucumber Lavender Bitters
1 Egg White
Club Soda
Garnish: Cucumber Slices and Fresh Lavender Stalks 

DIRECTIONS
In a clean, empty shaker, add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Vigorously dry-shake (without ice) for about 30 seconds. Add 3 or 4 ice cubes and shake until ice has almost melted. Double-strain into a chilled glass and top with club soda. Garnish with cucumber slices and fresh lavender stalks before serving. 

Pro Tip: If you want your drink to have EXTRA flavor, try infusing your gin with lavender flowers before using it, or muddling lemon juice and a couple of cucumber slices together and straining into your shaker before adding the other ingredients.

Guava Mai Tai

in partnership with @the.sauceress

Makes 2 Cocktails

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Gold Rum
1.5 oz Aged Spiced Rum
1 oz El Guapo® Creole Orgeat
2 oz Guava Nectar
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz @nataliesoj Orange Mango Juice
.5 oz Lime Juice
2 Barspoons Orange Blossom Water
6 Dashes El Guapo® Polynesian Kiss Bitters
Garnish: Edible Flowers and Fruit (we used orchids and baby pineapples)

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a single large cube of ice. Shake to chill and strain into two hurricane glasses full of crushed or nugget ice. Garnish with a tropical blossom and fruit of your choice. 

ROOT 23

Launched by Barb and Leah—a couple of busy moms from Columbus, OH who value whole ingredients, real food, and quality time with family and friends—ROOT 23 develops all-natural, inventive simple syrups that lend themselves to crafting delicious drinks with just a couple additional ingredients.  

Limoncello Spritz

INGREDIENTS
2 oz Limoncello
½ oz ROOT 23 Vanilla Ginger Simple Syrup 
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz Sparkling water
Ice
Garnishes: Mint Sprig and Lemon Wheel

DIRECTIONS
Fill a stemmed glass with ice. Add the limoncello, ROOT 23 Vanilla Ginger Simple Syrup, prosecco, and sparkling water to the glass and stir for 5-10 seconds to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel.

Garden Hugo Spritz

INGREDIENTS
4-5 Mint Leaves
1 oz Elderflower Liqueur
.75 oz ROOT 23 Blueberry Mint Simple Syrup
3 oz Prosecco
Sparkling Water
Ice
Garnishes: Mint Sprig, Blueberries, and Lime Wedge

DIRECTIONS
Add mint leaves, elderflower liqueur, and ROOT 23 Blueberry Mint Simple Syrup to a stemmed glass and stir for 5-10 seconds. Fill the glass with ice. Add the prosecco and top with sparkling water. Stir to combine and garnish as desired.

Strawberry Yuzu Tom Collins

INGREDIENTS
3 Large Strawberries, Diced
2 oz Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice
1 oz ROOT 23 Yuzu Citrus Simple Syrup
Sparkling Water
Ice
Garnishes: Strawberry and Lemon Slice

DIRECTIONS
Add the strawberries, gin, lemon juice, and ROOT 23 Yuzu Citrus Simple Syrup to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes. Shake for 30 seconds, then strain into a highball glass with ice. Top with sparkling water, and garnish with a strawberry and a lemon slice.

Meadowland Simple Syrup

Based out of Bend, OR, Meadowland Simple Syrup is a collaboration between Katie and Kathy—two women working together to develop unique and delicious flavors inspired by Katie's rural upbringing on the prairie. Meadowland hopes its simple syrups conjure feelings of joy, wonder, and warm memories of summers past. These adorable simple syrup bottles feature labels with Katie’s whimsical artwork.   

The Forgotten Library

INGREDIENTS
1.​25 oz Rye Whiskey
.25 oz Meadowland Goldfinch Simple Syrup
.75 oz Campari
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Fernet-Branca Rinse
Garnish: Vanilla Bean Split

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until cold. Rinse a bucket glass with Fernet-Branca then dump.  Strain drink into bucket glass over a big ice cube and garnish. 

Redwing Blackbird

INGREDIENTS
1.​25 oz Rye Whiskey
.25 oz Meadowland Oregon Black Bird Simple Syrup
.75 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
Garnish: Orange Twist

DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until cold and slightly diluted. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with orange twist.