Easy Cocktails You Can Pack for Any Summer Picnic

The weather is warm, shorts have been brought from storage, and April showers have passed, which can only mean one thing…summer is officially here. Perhaps you’re wondering how it got so hot so soon, or where that annoying season between winter and summer went.

Stop worrying about the minor details (you’ll need a light jacket, does that solve the question?) and concentrate on the major question:

what will you be sipping during this hot, humid season? We’ve got plenty of easy-to-make john collins cocktail that you can take with you wherever your summer takes you—beaches, picnics, festivals, poolside, or anyplace in between.

Malibu Lime Mojito

I could drink mojitos all summer long and never get tired of them. But I also know that making them in the park, the beach, or, let’s face it, anywhere else than home is practically impossible.

This no-muddle variant on the traditional cocktail is the ideal solution for all those sudden mojito cravings.

2 tbsp. Malibu Lime
34 cup fresh lime juice
three parts club soda
10 sprigs of mint
garnished with a sprig of mint
Fill a chilled highball glass halfway with ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves.

Mix in the Malibu Lime and fresh lime juice. Garnish with a mint sprig and top with soda water.

E&J Brandy Peach Palmer

If you love the combination of lemonade and iced tea (and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t? ), brace up. This delicious cocktail elevates your favourite summer beverage to new heights. With the addition of peach brandy to the classic Arnold Palmer combination, this drink screams summer.

With only three essential components, it’s ideal for making in bulk to take on an excursion.

1 part peach brandy, 1 part E&J
1 cup iced tea
1 cup lemonade
For garnish, a wedge of lime

Shake all of the ingredients together, then strain into your favourite cocktail glass.

Add ice and garnish with a wedge of lime.

The Cenote Paloma

Though the margarita is the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of a tequila cocktail, it’s time to talk about the paloma.

This cocktail is one of the most popular in Mexico (the motherland of tequila, so that’s saying a lot), and it’s just as simple to make as the margarita you love.

1 1/2 ounces tequila Cenote Blanco
six ounces Grapefruit soda by Jarritos
1 teaspoon lime juice

To make the cocktail, combine all of the ingredients in a salt-rimmed highball glass filled with new ice. Stir to combine.

Spicy Lady

Congratulations if you have your life together enough to brew your own infused water—you’ll adore this cocktail.

With their fresh, natural flavours, Ketel One Botanical vodkas are changing the game, and this cocktail wonderfully highlights their cucumber and mint blend.

Though it involves muddling, it’s simple to make in bulk and share with friends for a refreshing drink in the summer heat.
Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint 2 oz.
1 oz lime juice
1 teaspoon agave syrup
2 cucumber slices
6 sprigs of mint
1 serrano or jalapeo pepper slice
1 1/2 oz. club soda on top

In a shaker tin, muddle cucumber, serrano, and mint leaves with lime juice and agave syrup. Add Ketel One and lightly mix with ice for eight seconds.

Pour into a glass with ice and strain. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel.