SUMMER SIPS

OOur

Sip, sip, hooray! We tapped local drink gurus to share their favorite summer drinks to make at home.—Melissa Howsam

THE SOUTHSIDE RICKEY

Duke Campbell

Head Barman at Dram & Draught It’s a modern classic! It requires minimal ingredients, it's easy to make and it's simple to substitute the mint for any other herb, based on your tastes. It's light and refreshing, tart, citrusy (one lime should be enough). No herbs or lime juice? Throw some Tang in and it’s great.”

HOW TO MAKE IT

Shake 2 ounces Sutler's gin (made in North Carolina!), 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice, 3/4 ounce simple syrup and 5 fresh mint leaves with ice. Strain into an icefilled glass. Top with soda water to taste/fill.

COFFEE TONIC

Kyle Hamlin

Barista at Jubala Coffee When it starts getting warm out, I love to make a refreshing and straightforward Coffee Tonic. The bright carbonation from the tonic mixes with the sweet, acidic flavor of the coffee to create a beautifully cohesive drink that's perfect when summer hits. You can use espresso or cold brew for the coffee, both taste great. I make my own tonic (it’s made with a mixture of cinchona bark, juniper, cardamom and allspice—which is why it looks yellow), but any high-quality tonic water from the store should do just fine!”

HOW TO MAKE IT

Pour 5 ounces of tonic water over ice. Top with 1 ounce cold brew concentrate (or 1 shot of espresso) and lemon peel to garnish.

Courtesy Dram & Draught (CAMPBELL); Owen S. Jordan (HAMLIN); courtesy Little City Brewing (MOLINARO); Charlie Allen (ERKES)

SPICED DAIQUIRI

Chandler Molinaro

Beverage Guru at Little City Brewing I love a traditional daiquiri; but when I'm in my own home, I like to put my spin on the classic and have fun with it. With the temperature rising, there is no better way to combat heat stroke than with fresh citrus, delicious rum and sugar. This little cocktail can pack a punch that will keep your mind off the heat. My go-to rum is Caña Brava Reserva Añeja (when you can find it); otherwise, I love their Silver, too. The palate is pure fresh sugar cane juice and citrus, with notes of dark chocolate balanced with molasses, cacao butter, vanilla and hints of allspice and cinnamon, which pairs perfectly with 18.21 Spiced Honey simple syrup. To make this a classic daiquiri, add fresh squeezed lime juice.”

HOW TO MAKE IT

Shake 1 ½ ounces Caña Brava Reserva Añeja (or another high quality rum), ½ ounce 18.21 Spiced Honey simple syrup and ¾ ounce fresh lime juice over ice; strain into a coupe glass.

STRAWBERRY DAISY

Kyle Erkes

Cocktail Director at C. Grace North Carolina strawberries are my favorite thing about Raleigh spring and summer. Grab a bushel when they hit the farmers market and use them to amp up an underrated classic. I'm never gonna work hard to drink at home—but this strawberry syrup is just so easy to make and works better than muddling whole berries into a drink. Combine it with some dank local gin from Durham Distillery, and you get a drink that's bright, dry and is gonna get you where you're going real quick.”

HOW TO MAKE IT

Shake 1 ½ ounces Conniption Navy Strength Gin, ½ ounce Cointreau, ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice and ½ ounce Strawberry Syrup (recipe below) with ice; strain into a cocktail glass. Optional: Garnish with candied strawberries. Strawberry Syrup Recipe: Chop a few strawberries, throw them in a jar, and cover them completely with sugar. Give the jar a shake and put it in the fridge overnight. No need to measure anything, the sugar will pull juice from the strawberries, and excess sugar will settle to the bottom. Just strain out the liquid. Keep refrigerated and add it to literally anything. (Visit our website for the Candied Strawberries recipe.)