Put away the heavy dark beers, deep red wines, and the throat warming cocktails. Summer is here and now it's time for the Wheat beer, white and rose wines along with some crisp refreshing cocktails. So to get you started at hosting your first summer party here are a few cocktails that will have your guests raving about your skills.

Nothing says summer like a Margarita. The history of the Margarita is unlike most other cocktails. It is very conflicted as to its origins and there are numerous stories as to where the cocktail originated. I am more inclined to believe the aspect that just after Prohibition in the States; many of the Americans would go into Mexico and order a standard drink of the day called the Daisy which substitutes the Tequila for Brandy. Being in Mexico it made sense that Tequila was more apt to find its way into a drink by local bartenders instead of Brandy. Margarita is a Spanish term for Daisy. So now when you are making your next Margarita why not tell a great story to go with it.

Today I am starting you off with two Margaritas and two summer time fun drinks. In order to perfect the Margaritas you need a few key ingredients.

• Limes (and lots of them.)

• Tequila

• Selsi Salt

• Oranges

• Orange Liqueur – Bols Blue Curacao, Bols Triple Sec

• Ice – I recommend big chunks of ice. They dilute slower and don’t water down your drink

Salt Rims

To start why not get creative and add your own twist to your salt rims and make them stand out. Grate the zest of lime, orange, lemon, or even grapefruit into your salt mix. This will add some bitterness to the drink and cut down the sour factor. Or you can add some Mexican heat by using some pepper flakes or chipotle spice. All of these can add color, flavor, and aroma to your cocktail and make you the star of the show. Get creative here and don’t hold back. Just ensure a few key points, remember that it is a rim on a glass so the elements need to be small and pleasant to compliment the salt. Keep at least a 75% salt to 25% added flavor ratio as well. The salt is the hero and the other flavors are the sidekicks. 

    Standard Margarita

• 45 ml of Hornitos Plata Tequila 

• 25 ml of Bols Triple Sec

• 20 ml of Lime (always use fresh pressed juice. This is not the time to think about using lime cordials, or pre mixes. Stay true to the cocktail. I recommend using key limes but be warned, a lot more squeezing is needed)

  Rim the glass with your salt mix (Old Fashion glass or Champagne Coupe); shake all ingredients hard (if the shaker hasn’t a thin frost on it keep shaking) in a Boston Shaker and pour.

    Fiery Ginger

• 45 ml of Sauza Silver Tequila

• 25 ml of Bols Triple Sec

• 15 ml of Bols Ginger Liquor or make Ginger Syrup (boil equal parts sugar and water. Add ginger root to process and let cool).

• 20 ml of Lime (always use fresh pressed juice. This is not the time to think about using lime cordials, or pre mixes. Stay true to the cocktail). 

  Rim the glass with hot pepper/salt mix (Old Fashion glass or Champagne Coupe); shake all ingredients hard (if the shaker hasn’t a thin frost on it keep shaking) in a Boston Shaker and pour.

  Basil Tojito

• 45 ml of Tequila Hornitos Reposado

• 25 ml of Bols Triple Sec

• 2 Lime wedges

• 3 Basil leaves

• Grapefruit Soda

  Rim the glass with your grapefruit/salt mix (highball), muddle lime and basil, add and shake all ingredients hard (if the shaker hasn’t a thin frost on it keep shaking) in a Boston Shaker, strain and pour. Top up your glass with Grapefruit Soda (or for a fresher flavor add soda water and 15 ml of fresh squeezed juice)

  Bloody Rita

• 60 ml of Hornitos Black Barrel AñejoTequila (Choose whatever your preference but be sure to try different tequilas)

• 1 tbsp of Bulls Eye Barbeque Sauce (I recommend original but feel free to play)

• 2 sprigs of Oregano leaves

• 1 small can Tomato juice (or fresh press it yourself)

• 3 drops of Worcestershire

• 3 drops of Tabasco or other hot sauce (adjust to heat preference)

• 15 ml fresh lemon/lime juice

  Rim the glass with your salt mix (highball), shake all ingredients to ensure mixing, pour into glass and garnish.
  Garnish: skewer 2 cherry tomatoes and 1 small cube of blue cheese. Add 1 strip of crispy bacon.