Happy Hour: How I’m Spending My Summer Vacation

by Diana Vilibert

You guys, it’s June! And it’s hot outside. This means a few things:

1. It seems that someone accidentally misplaced spring this year. Maybe you thought (“by mistake”) that it was yours and took it home? If so, please drop it off at the Lost and Found, no questions asked.

2. Ugly man feet in sandals : (

3. Bikini season! Luckily, I started hitting the gym early this year in order to get my body in rapture-ready shape, so now I look like Heidi Klum.

4. Punch! I’ve got two for you today, inspired by looking inside my freezer this past Monday on my way to a BBQ and wondering what to do with my bottle of gin. On deck, the Summer Gin Punch, a fruity concoction that will look lovely in a punch bowl, and the super simple Beefeater, Ginger, and Apple Punch, a great option if you’ve been asked to bring a drink and want to show up with something a little more special than just a bottle.

Summer Gin Punch
8 parts Beefeater
2 parts Maraschino liqueur
2 parts water
1 part sugar syrup
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part fresh orange juice
2 parts soda
4 lemon twists
4 orange twists
8 fresh raspberries
8 chunks of diced pineapple

(Hint: The fruit is really up to you, so if you’re making this on the fly, wait until no one’s looking and have a peek into the fruit salad for ingredients.)

Directions: Pour everything into a punch bowl, add one large frozen ice block, stir, and serve.

Beefeater, Ginger, and Apple Punch
5 parts Beefeater
5 parts apple juice
5 parts ginger ale
½ an apple, diced

Directions: Pour into a punch bowl or pitcher, add one large frozen ice block, stir, and serve.

Previously: Spike Your Coffee.

Diana Vilibert is a freelance drinker and writer in Brooklyn.

Image of Summer Gin Punch courtesy of Beefeater