3 Refreshing Pitcher Drinks for Summer Parties

Picture from Food and Wine

Cajun Lemonade

• 12 ounces white rum or vodka
• 4 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
• 8 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 4 ounces Simple Syrup
• 1/2 tablespoon Tabasco
• Ice
• 8 ounces chilled 7-Up
• Thin lemon wheels, for garnish

In a large resealable container, combine all of the ingredients except ice, the 7-Up and the lemon wheels. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Cover tightly and shake, then pour into an ice-filled pitcher. Strain into ice-filled rocks glasses, stir in the 7-Up and garnish with lemon wheels.

Blackberry & Cabernet Caipirinha, from Food and Wine

Blackberry Cabernet Caipirinha

• 24 blackberries
• 4 ounces Simple Syrup
• 12 ounces cachaça (potent Brazilian sugarcane spirit)
• 4 ounces Cabernet Sauvignon
• 8 ounces fresh orange juice
• 2 ounces fresh lime juice
• Ice
• 6 orange wheels
• 6 lime wheels

In a pitcher, muddle 12 of the blackberries with the Simple Syrup. Add the cachaça, Cabernet and the orange and lime juices and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Stir well and strain the drink into ice-filled white wine glasses. Garnish with the remaining 12 blackberries and the lime and orange wheels.

Ginger Shandies, from Food and Wine

Ginger Shandies

• Mint springs, for garnish
• One 12-ounce bottle chilled ginger beer
• 1 thinly sliced lemon
• Three 11.2 ounce bottles of chilled Hoegaarden beer

In a large pitcher, combine the Hoegaarden with the ginger beer. Stir in most of the lemon slices and mint springs. Fill 6 rocks glasses with ice. Add the remaining lemon slices to the glasses and pour in the shandy. Garnish each drink with a mint sprig and serve.