The Best Hydrating Cocktails For A Hot Weekend

What can you do – the heat is raging but you want a cold cocktail – here  are some of the best to keep you semi-hydrated 

The temperatures are soaring, but it is still summer – time for beach trips, parties poolside and bbq.  You want a cocktail, but you have to be careful about dehydration.  Here are the best hydrating cocktails for a hot weekend. Alcohol will dehydrate you some – but here are some better choices. And try to drink a glass of water for every drink you have.

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Coffee, tea and energy drinks are to be avoided. According to the Mayo Clinic, “As a chemical, caffeine increases production of urine, which means caffeine is a diuretic.” Which means the espresso martini is definitely a no no. Also, beer is consumed in larger volumes, which may give a false sense of hydration.

Vodka & Soda

The best, hydrating drink in the heat is a vodka with club soda and fruit. The minerals in the club soda are hydrating and vodka has fewer amounts of byproducts making it less likely to lead to major dehydration or a hangover.

Ingredients

• Fill glass with ice
• Add vodka and soda
• Garnish and enjoy

Gin Negroni

Gin was the drink for the British in the heat of tropics.  This refresh drink can also be a delight to your system. The grapefruit Negroni sticks with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, but it tweaks the ratio, calling for more gin and less Campari. This adjustment yields a less bitter drink than the original.

Ingredients

Create

• Squeeze the grapefruit segments into a shaker and drop in the fruit (or add fresh juice)
• Add the gin, sweet vermouth and Campari to the shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled
• Place ice in a rocks glass and curl the grapefruit peel around the inside of the glass
• Strain into the prepared glass

Pink Gin Spritz

The Gin & Tonic is the classic drink of the hot, humid, envoricemewnt.  Originally made to hide the taste of quinine, the power was mined with soda and sugar, creating tonic water.  And then they mixed it with gin.  Here is a fun update for a hot day for you – something summer, fresh and a delight!

Ingredients

• 1 oz Pink gin
• 1 oz Tonic
• 2 oz Prosecco
• 1 Strawberry
• 1 Mint sprig
• Ice

Create

• Muddle strawberry in a glass
• Fill glass with ice
• Add gin and tonic
• As splash of Prosecco
• Garnish with mint

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The Oaks Lily

The cocktail hero at Churchill Downs during the heat, the Oaks Lily is a great replacement to the heavy mint julep. The juice is good for your system and the taste is easy without being too sweet.

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• ½ ounce orange liqueur
• ½ ounce simple syrup (See Notes)
• ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
• 3 ounces cranberry juice
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Fresh blackberries, for serving

Create

• Fill a Collins or highball glass with ice
• Add vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and cranberry juice
• Stir to combine
• Garnish with a lemon wedge and a fresh blackberry

Remember to be careful on your consumption and drink plenty of water.  Have a great summer.