Summer is in full swing, and the patio umbrella is calling! How about cooling off with a long, cold drink bursting with fresh fruit, herbs, and sunshine?

The great news is you don't need to spend your hard-earned money at a bar to get this kind of drink. All you need is a bottle of craft simple syrup and a few ingredients on hand, like citrus fruit and herbs for garnish. Simple syrups are the secret to crushing your mixology game at home. The flavor magic is already there, just shake things up!

In this article, we're highlighting five summer flavors from our selection of simple syrups with an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink recipe for each. This is just a starting point to show you how easy it is to shake up great drinks at home. Get creative and have fun!

Summer Flavor #1: Strawberry Basil

Recipe: Strawberry Basil Mojito (with alcohol)

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz strawberry basil simple syrup
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Sparkling water or club soda

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup.
2. Add white rum, lime juice, and ice. Shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into a tumbler or highball glass filled with ice.
4. Top with club soda and garnish with a fresh strawberry and basil or mint leaves.

Recipe: Strawberry Basil Lemonade (without alcohol)

• 1 cup fresh lemonade
• 1 oz strawberry basil simple syrup
• Fresh strawberries and basil for garnish

1. In a glass, combine fresh lemonade and strawberry basil simple syrup
2. Stir well to mix the flavors
3. Add ice and garnish with sliced strawberries and a sprig of basil. 

Summer Flavor #2: Blueberry Mint

Recipe: Blueberry Mint Mule (with alcohol)

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz blueberry mint simple syrup
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4-6 fresh mint leaves
• Ginger beer
• Blueberries and mint sprig for garnish

1. In a copper mug or highball glass, muddle fresh mint leaves with blueberry mint simple syrup.
2. Add vodka, lime juice, and ice. Stir well.
3. Top with ginger beer and gently stir again.
4. Garnish with fresh blueberries and a sprig of mint.

Recipe: Blueberry Mint Lemonade (without alcohol):

• 1 cup lemonade
• 1 oz blueberry mint simple syrup
• Fresh blueberries and mint sprig for garnish

1. In a glass, combine lemonade and blueberry mint simple syrup.
2. Stir gently to mix.
3. Add ice and garnish with fresh blueberries and a sprig of mint.

Summer Flavor #3: Hibiscus-Cardamom

Recipe: Hibiscus-Cardamom Gin Fizz (with alcohol)

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz hibiscus-cardamom simple syrup
• 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• Club soda or sparkling water
• Lime wheel and hibiscus flower for garnish

1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice to the shaker.
3. Shake well to blend the flavors.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top off the glass with club soda or sparkling water.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and a hibiscus flower.

Recipe: Hibiscus-Cardamom Spritz (without alcohol)

• 1/2 cup sparkling water
• 1/2 cup hibiscus tea, cooled
• 1 oz hibiscus-cardamom simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves and hibiscus flower for garnish

1. In a glass, combine sparkling water, hibiscus tea, and simple syrup.
2. Stir gently to mix the flavors.
3. Add ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves and a hibiscus flower.

Summer Flavor #4: Pineapple Jalapeño

Recipe: Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita (with alcohol)

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz pineapple jalapeño simple syrup
• 1 oz lime juice
• Salt for rimming (optional)
• Pineapple slice and jalapeño slice for garnish

1. Rim a margarita glass with salt (optional) and fill it with ice.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, pineapple jalapeño simple syrup, and lime juice.
3. Shake well and strain the mixture into the prepared glass over ice.
4. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a thin jalapeño slice.

Recipe: Pineapple Jalapeño Sparkler (without alcohol)

• 8 oz sparkling water
• 1 oz pineapple jalapeño simple syrup
• Lime wedge and pineapple chunk for garnish

1. In a glass, combine the sparkling water and simple syrup.
2. Stir gently to mix.
3. Add ice and garnish with a lime wedge and a chunk of fresh pineapple.

Summer Flavor #5: Prickly Pear

Recipe: Prickly Pear Paloma (with alcohol)

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz prickly pear simple syrup
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• Sparkling water or club soda
• Lime wedge for garnish

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add tequila, prickly pear simple syrup, and grapefruit juice.
3. Stir well.
4. Top with club soda and garnish with a lime wedge.

Recipe: Prickly Pear Lemonade (without alcohol)

• 1 cup lemonade
• 1 oz prickly pear simple syrup
• Lime slices and mint leaves for garnish

1. In a glass, combine lemonade and prickly pear simple syrup.
2. Stir gently.
3. Add ice and garnish with lime slices and mint leaves.
   
   

Go Ahead, Shake Up Summer!

So, now you know that bottled simple syrup is all you need to make easy, fabulous drinks at home. With just a few ingredients on hand, you can shake up all kinds of refreshing drinks. Let the syrup do the work!

Our selection of small-batch syrups are hand-crafted by small, independent makers using fresh fruit, herbs, spices, and a lot of love. You won't find anything artificial here.

These make great gifts, too! Bundle a bottle of simple syrup with other fun summer goodies for a birthday, housewarming, or 'just because it's hot' gift. Cheers, friends!