by Shaun Layton | The sun is shining, cruise ships are arriving, and hop-on hop-off buses are flooding our hoods. That means it’s time to get the hell away to a beach, lake, forest, meadow, or patch of grass. If you’re like me and you love a good drink outdoors, then this article is for you.

First things first, none of these drinks will empty your wallet, take up too much of your precious sun-basking time, or make you feel like you need expertly quaffed facial hair, suspenders, and a professional bar kit to make them correctly. On my time off I just want something delicious, and if that means adding a few ice cubes and salt to something mediocre to make it tasty, then that’s what I’m going to do, especially when my chief concern in life (at the time) is bagging a prime spot to lay a blanket. It’s kind of like how most chefs prefer Old Dutch Salt & Vinegar potato chips to, say, housemade beet chips when they get home after work. The heart just wants what the heart wants.

Anyway, You’ll find several ideas/recipes for cheap, easy, cool summer drinks after the jump. Feel free to switch brands, citrus types, beer types, et cetera…

The Lagerita (3 ways)

The Lagerita is just what it sounds like, a Margarita with some beer.

1 – The easiest way | Straight from the LDB website: “Bud Lime Lime-A-Rita has the delicious taste of a margarita. This 6% ABV flavoured beer blend is perfect for any occasion. Just pop, pour over ice and enjoy!” To save you the troubl, I tried this the other day. It’s not great, but if you water it down with lots of ice, add salt and a squeeze of lime, it’s pretty good.

You need – A 12 pack of Bud Light Lime-A-Rita ($23.69)
Method – Pop it open, pour into an ice filled cup rimmed with salt, squeeze a lime in, serve.

2 – The pretty easy way | A delicious, easy way to impress your friends sharing the same patch of beach or grass.

You need – A 6 pack of lager, I suggest Howe Sound ($11.99) and a 4 pack of El Jimador Tequila Margarita cans ($9.99)
Method – Mix the two (50/50) in a plastic cup full of ice and rimmed with salt, squeeze a wedge of lime in and serve.

3 – The hard-ish way | Calling all amateur mixolo-glampers, this one’s for you!

You need – A bottle of inexpensive blanco tequila (El Jimador blanco $29.99), fresh lime juice, agave nectar, a Soda Stream or other carbonation system.
Method – Take 2 parts tequila, 4 parts water, 1 part fresh lime juice, 1/2 part agave nectar. Add this ratio to fill your soda stream canister, and place in the fridge until cold. Carefully carbonate (do this slowly, you don’t want it to overflow). Bring soda stream with you in your cooler and add to ice filled cups. Enjoy!

Cocchi & Radler

I love grapefruit radlers, but sometimes they need just a little more.

You need – Parallel 49 Grapefruit Radler, Cocchi Americano, and one grapfruit.
Method – To an ice-filled cup add 30ml Cocchi Americano and top with Radler. Add a slice of grapefruit and serve.

Pimm’s Cup

The classic summer drink of the Brits (read my article here)

You need – Pimm’s No. 1 $25.99, assorted fruit, ginger ale (or ginger beer).
Method – Add 45ml Pimm’s to an ice and fruit filled cup, top with ginger ale or beer.

Paloma

A classic Mexican Highball that’s easy to make and easier to drink!

You need – A bottle of inexpensive blanco tequila (El Jimador blanco $29.99) and cheap grapefruit pop. I use Presidents Choice, but if you can find Ting, Jaurritos, or Squirt, even better (the cheaper the better).
Method – Add 45ml tequila to an ice-filled and rim-salted cup, top with grapefruit pop, squeeze in a lime before serving. PS. this is REALLY good with the Radler instead of pop.

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Shaun Layton has helped to maintain a top notch bar scene in Vancouver for ten years, and since day one at Gastown’s L’Abattoir, where he is the Bar Manager. He also runs his own consulting company, designing bar programs and training staff locally and as far away as St.John’s, NFLD. Layton has competed and travelled throughout the USA and Europe, touring distilleries, breweries and bars. He was recognized in 2012 as the Bartender of The Year by Vancouver Magazine.

THE DRINKER’S ARCHIVE