The summertime brings a hefty dose of hot weather and plenty of things to do in Tampa. With everything from concerts to summer events, social gatherings with friends, and more, summer is the perfect time to try out and add some new, refreshing cocktails to your repertoire. Since we are all about local here at 813area, we wanted to share a few drinks you can easily make with a few ingredients and Tampa's own artisan-distilled, award-winning Touch Vodka.
Here are a few summer drink recipes sure to cool you down and please the taste buds courtesy of Touch Vodka's three, all-natural ingredient varieties - Key Lime, Valencia Orange, and Ruby Red Grapefruit.
Orange Slice Jello Shots
- 3 Florida oranges
- 1 box of orange Jello
- 1 cup of Touch Vodka Florida Valencia Orange
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup ice cold water
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (can use the 3 oranges for this)
Start by boiling 1 cup of water. During the time it takes to boil the water, you can complete the rest of the preparations. Cut the oranges in half and scoop out the pulp so you are left with just orange halves. Squeeze the orange pulp over a strainer into a measuring cup until you have 1/2 cup of orange juice. In a mixing bowl, mix the vodka, cold water, and orange juice. In a separate bowl, mix the Jello mix and boiling water until all the Jello mix is dissolved. Now mix all ingredients into one bowl. Place the orange peel halves in a cupcake pan (or cups to hold the orange halves level) and pour the mix into each orange half to fill them. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours then place flat on cutting board and slice oranges. Ready to serve, keep chilled.
*Consider making Grapefruit Jello Shots the same way just substitution oranges and juice with grapefruits, Orange Jello with Grapefruit Jello, and Touch Vodka Florida Valencia Orange with Touch Vodka Florida Ruby Red Grapefruit.
Sangria
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup Touch Vodka (consider using one of the Touch Vodka flavors)
- 1 can carbonated lemon-lime beverage
- 2 oranges
- 2 lemons
- 2 limes
- 750 ml wine
In large pitcher or punch bowl, dissolve sugar into lemon-lime beverage. Add all liquids and stir well. Slice all the fruit into rings and add to the liquid mix. Chill and serve over ice. For added look and flavor, garnish with fresh fruit.
Watermelon Sangria
- 12 cups cubed watermelon
- 750 ml dry white wine
- 1 cup Touch Vodka
- 1/2 cup triple sec
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1 medium lime
- 1 orange
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Place 9 cups of watermelon into blender and blend until very smooth. Strain the juice through a mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Add all the liquids and stir to mix them together. Cut the limes into quarters and oranges into wedges. Add all the fruit to the mix and chill for 4 hours. Serve over ice.
Orange Splash
- 2 ounces Touch Vodka Florida Valencia Orange
- 1 ounce Triple Sec
- 1 splash lime juice
- 1 splash orange juice
- Sugar for garnish
- Orange slice for garnish
Pour all ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously. Rim glass with sugar and serve over ice garnished with orange slice.
Touch Vodka Infused Watermelon
- 1 medium size watermelon
- 1 bottle of Touch Vodka
Cut circular hole in watermelon the size of the Touch Vodka bottle neck. Remove some watermelon with spoon for vodka bottle to fit in watermelon. Tip watermelon to place vodka bottle neck in watermelon without spilling. Tip bottle upright and let sit for 12 hours so the watermelon can absorb the vodka. Chill watermelon, slice and serve.
Whatever you decide to do during the summer, these cool summertime cocktails can only add to the fun.
Always, make sure to drink responsibly. If you have other great recipes, share them in the comments below for fellow Tampians to enjoy!
