3 Quick & Easy Summer Cocktails with Vodka & Tequila– No Grocery Store Required

May 12, 2022

We’re here for a good cocktail. And this month, May 13, 2022 was International Cocktail Day. Here in Alberta the weather is getting warmer and we love finishing the day or week with cocktail on our deck. Even better if it’s with our friends.

We decided we needed to try out some cocktails to share with you! Summer is the best for low key hangs and drinks with friends. Here’s the thing if the pantry and fridge are low – we’ve got you covered. I mean we had alcohol (of course) and if you’re like us we like to use what we’ve already got at home making it easy to recreate with what you have on hand or with minor adjustments.  

When cocktail time hits keeping it simple is key. Here are our quick and easy summer cocktail faves using vodka and tequila.

Ok first up, a Paloma.

A Paloma is refreshing and citrusy. If you prefer tart option and want to avoid the extra sweetness a Paloma is a great choice. You choose your own adventure here – add more simple syrup to sweetened the cocktail if you’d like. Keep it tart by using the measurement below.  

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1-1/2 ounces of Tequila – use your favourite brand or what you have on hand
• 1 can of grapefruit juice and club soda (ok we didn’t have this so we improvised with peach or grapefruit flavoured soda water!)
• 1 whole lime or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• Salt – for the rim of your glass
• Ice – the more ice the better

The steps:

1. Rub the rim of the glass with the lime or in a pinch use an apple (cocktail hack tips)
2. Add in ice
3. Combine tequila, flavored soda water (we used Perrier), lime juice and sweetener to the glass
4. Stir to combine and sweeten to taste!
5. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge

Next up, our Vodka Spritzer (AKA Soda Water with benefits)

We liked this more as Soda Water with benefits. Soda Water is friendly on it’s own, but the splash of Vodka on occasion kicks it up a notch. This drink goes down smooth! It’s light, refreshing and a low commitment kind of cocktail.   

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1-2 ounces of Vodka our favourite brand is a local distillery – Wild Life Vodka
• 1 can of soda water (we used peach Perrier – we like the bubbles)
• 1 teaspoon of simple syrup
• Raspberries or any kind of berries to make it fruity!

 The steps:

1. Add in ice
2. Combine vodka, flavoured soda water (we used Perrier), lime or fruit, sweetener to the glass
3. Stir to combine and sweeten to taste!
4. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge

Last one! A Spicy Chili Margarita

Delicious with a hint of spicy chilies from our favourite local brand Preserved YYC Candied Chilies. It’s subtle and simple with a kick.  

 Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1-2 ounces of Tequila
• ½ ounce of Triple Sec
• 1 teaspoon of Preserved Candies Chilies (we used our favourite from Preserved YYC)
• ½ ounce of orange juice or orange liqueur (we had orange juice – but tried one without too)
• 1 whole lime or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• Salt – for the rim of your glass
• Ice – the more ice the better 

The steps:

1. Rub the rim of the glass with the lime or in a pinch use an apple (again with our cocktail hack lol)
2. Add in ice (we like a generous amount)
3. Combine tequila, triple sec, Preserved YYC Candied Chilies, lime juice, orange juice and sweetener to the glass
4. Stir to combine and sweeten to taste!
5. Garnish with a lime or jalapeno!

The blog post and cocktail recipes you never knew you needed from your Little w team of moms using what’s we have around for International Cocktail Day!

Cheers to deck drinks with friends this summer from us!

If you're not into alcohol - comment with ideas on your fave virgin summer drinks. 

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