Five Easy-to-Make Labor Day Cocktails for Your End of Summer Party

Summer is the season of cocktails, and we are here for it! Labor Day is just around the corner. So we’re guessing our readers could use some unique Labor Day cocktails that help you stand apart from the neighbors. But who has time to look for rare or specialty cocktail ingredients when you’re planning a party? And just who has time to sit around infusing alcohol, anyhow? Aren’t there any easier recipes out there, or are we all just stuck with Jell-o shots?

Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled five easy-to-make cocktail recipes. They all use common ingredients while being easy on both time and budget. Grab a glass and check it out!

Peach and Orange Paloma

Source: Over Easy: Sweet and Savory Recipes by Joy the Baker

Why we love it: This Paloma smoothie is a recipe that’s sure to “wow” your partygoers! We’ve seen a lot of recipes popping up with peaches and couldn’t be more pleased. Peaches are not only versatile but just add an extra complexity of taste that makes any cocktail seem a little fancier. We love the refreshing mix of citrus juices complemented by a touch of kosher salt and just a little bit of club soda fizz.

Ingredients:

• .5 teaspoon grated orange zest
• .25 cup kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 ripe peach, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 8 ounces silver tequila
• Club soda

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, combine the orange zest, salt, and sugar.
• Using your fingers, work the zest into the salt and sugar until the mixture is fragrant.
• Rim four glasses with salt mixture and set aside.
• In a blender, combine the lime juice, the orange juice, and the peach chunks and blend.
• Strain through a fine-mesh strainer.
• Fill each of the prepared glasses with ice.
• Pour 2 ounces of tequila into each glass.
• Top with .5 cup of the juice mixture.
• Top with club soda, and stir.
• Garnish with fruit slices, and serve.

Watermelon Sangria

Source: Delish

Why we love it: Watermelon cocktails feel like the pinnacle of summer drinks, don’t you think? Adding watermelon into a traditional sangria cocktail makes this the ultimate Labor Day drink. It’s guaranteed to quickly become a guest favorite. Unlike red wine-based sangrias which can feel heavy, this white wine variation is light and fizzy--perfect for the end of summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon
• 1 (750-ml) bottle white wine, chilled
• 2 c. white rum
• 1 c. seltzer
• 1/3 c. lime juice (from about 6 limes)
• 2 limes, thinly sliced
• 2 c. assorted fresh or frozen fruit, such as pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries

Instructions:

• Slice off the top third of the watermelon lengthwise (save for later use) and score fruit with a knife.
• Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out watermelon and transfer to a blender.
• Blend watermelon until smooth. (If desired, strain out seeds.) Pour back into the scooped-out watermelon shell.
• Add white wine, rum, seltzer, and lime juice and stir until combined, then add limes and fruit.
• Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours, then serve.

Cucumber Lime Basil Prosecco

Source: Fannetastic Food

Why we love it: Prosecco gets a bad rap as a “girly” drink and this recipe proves how versatile an ingredient it can be. The refreshing cucumber and basil give this cocktail a refreshing spa feel that’s perfect for sipping by the pool.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Prosecco
• Juice from 4 limes + 1 extra lime for garnish
• 8 basil leaves
• 8 cucumber slices

Instructions:

• Place the lime juice, 4 basil leaves, and 4 cucumber slices into a glass. Refrigerate a few hours to let the flavors infuse.
• Separate infused lime juice from the basil leaves and cucumber slices and divide juice evenly among 4 champagne flutes. (Roughly 1/2 a shot glass worth of juice per glass.)
• Fill the glasses the rest of the way with Prosecco.
• Garnish with remaining cucumber slices, basil leaves, and sliced lime, if desired.

Sparkling Champagne Peach Sangria

Source: Salted Mint

Why we love it: This cocktail is not only tasty but just looks so festive! The colorful fruits suspended in this clear, fizzy cocktail put a new spin on the summer-favorite sangria recipe. Tip: Check the organic aisles of your grocery store for palm sugar. If you come up short, the creator of this recipe says brown sugar will make an excellent substitute.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces peach Schnapps
• 3 peaches, sliced into thin wedges
• 1 pint raspberries
• 2 Tbsp. palm sugar (brown sugar is also fine)
• 1 bottle crisp un-oaked white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or similar)
• Champagne or Prosecco to top off the pitcher
• mint leaves for garnish
• 2 cups crushed ice

Instructions:

• Place 2 cups of ice in a large pitcher.
• Slice the peaches and add into the pitcher along with the raspberries and the sugar.
• Add the white wine and leave it in the fridge for about 2 hours.
• Just before serving, remove the pitcher from the fridge and add the champagne or prosecco. Pour into wine glasses, making sure that each glass gets a peach wedge and some raspberries.
• Garnish with mint leaves.

Strawberry Peach Spritzers

Source: What the Fork

Why we love it: Simple, refreshing, and delicious. This budget-friendly cocktail recipe has all the makings of a traditional sangria but takes less time to prepare. Check the wine or wine cooler aisles for the Red Spritzer.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. Barefoot Refresh Summer Red Spritzer, chilled
• 1 large peach (preferably white), diced
• 6 strawberries, quartered
• 1 c. ice cubes

Instructions:

• Divide the peaches and strawberries evenly between two wine glasses.
• Add half a cup of ice to each glass and top with 1 cup of the Summer Red Spritzer each. Garnish with additional peaches or strawberries if desired.
• Serve immediately.

There you have it! A list of great-tasting recipes that can be whipped up quickly while still looking unique. Is there a go-to recipe we missed in this roundup?

Leave a comment with your favorite Labor Day cocktail recipe and let us know.