Summer Sipping Made Simple

I love a cocktail as much as anyone. Well, maybe not quite as much as Jenn … but I sure do enjoy them.

Sometimes, it’s great fun to experiment — to try new ingredients and find just the right mix.

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But other times, I just want simplicity. I want a nice, cold drink without having to haul out a bunch of bottles or needing to measure out lots of ingredients. And that’s where these potables come into play. They’re perfect for summer because they’re as tasty as they are simple!

Austin Cocktails

Austin Cocktails is a certified women-owned company that makes bottled, craft cocktails in five flavors: Cucumber Vodka Mojito, Ruby Red Cocktail, Perfect Bergamot Orange Margarita, Peppered Maple Blood Orange Bourbon Cocktail, New School Gin Mule. They’re full strength and naturally lower in calories than many craft cocktails because there are no syrups added (although a small amount of organic agave nectar provides a light sweetness) — the Cucumber Vodka Mule just has vodka, cucumber, mint, lime, and agave. That’s it.

And that’s perfect, because it doesn’t need anything else! Although on a hot afternoon by the pool, you wouldn’t be wrong to pour it over a tall glass of ice and add a splash of sparkling water for a little fizz, if you’re feelin’ fancy.

Empower Cocktails

When a brand is not only founded by a woman with a passion for empowering other women, but also goes so far as to partner with non-profits that champion women’s initiatives, you might find that the most difficult part of choosing to enjoy an Empower Cosmopolitan Martini from Empower Cocktails is simply waiting for the bottle to properly chill. (It needs an hour in the fridge — not the freezer — for the record, so plan accordingly.) Ideally, the sweet potato vodka, white cranberry, triple sec, and lime libation is served in a chilled martini glass and garnished with a lime wedge and mint, but if, say, you’re in the mood for the easiest martini of your life and don’t have lime or mint on hand … well, I can say with authority that it’s still immensely sippable.

However, if a martini isn’t your go-to drink for sitting in the sun, you should know that Empower has a list of other cocktails using their signature drink as the base. An Empower Spritz (Empower, aperol, sparkling rosé, and club soda) is entirely up my personal summer fun alley.

Fleurs de Prairie Cotes de Provence Rosé

Pouring a glass of wine is really about as simple as it gets — and I dare you to argue with me about how perfectly a light, delicate rosé like the Fleurs de Prairie Cotes de Provence Rosé pairs with summer. (Its very name translates to “wildflowers” — what could be more fitting?) There are notes of strawberry, rose petals, and herbs, which are strong enough to work well with a meal, but easy enough on the palette to be sipped all afternoon long.

Although, if you’re looking to reduce the amount of alcohol per serving or want to serve up something a little sweeter, you could always use it in a simple rosé lemonade.

What are your favorite summertime sips? —Kristen