To-go cocktails have become allowed in recent weeks and that may continue for a while. Even as dining rooms begin to open, it’s a good idea to put together some special cocktails for the summer months. 

It’s possible many of your employees have been working on their craft at home these last few weeks and may have some new creations to add to your menu. A new take on a classic favorite? Something abstract? Frozen drinks? Whichever you decide, be sure to get feedback from your guests. A short survey with multiple choice questions will help you to receive a greater volume of response.

Making your customers aware of the different ways they can order and receive your drinks will be an important part of your summer marketing campaigns. You can market your new drinks with detailed descriptions, high-quality images and even demo videos of the drinks being made. These should be posted to your website, social media pages and shared with local media.

Here are a few recipes from around the web to help inspire your next signature drink.

Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

Ingredients:

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup granulated sugar

8 cups diced seedless watermelon (1 pound)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 3/4 cups blueberries

3/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus 8 sprigs for garnish

1 1/4 cups silver tequila

Ice

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, bring the water to a simmer with the sugar and stir over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute; let the sugar syrup cool.
• In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the watermelon juice, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp.
• In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the lime juice, blueberries and mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle the blueberries and mint. Add the watermelon juice and tequila. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
• Pour the cocktail into tall ice-filled glasses. Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve.

Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea

Ingredients:

2 ounces bourbon

2 ounces peach preserves

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

Dash of Aperol

Sweet tea, to top

Sprig of thyme, to garnish

Lemon round, to garnish

Directions:

• Mix the bourbon, peach preserves, Aperol, and lemon juice over ice and shake.
• Top with a generous amount of sweet tea and garnish with fresh thyme and a lemon round.

Raspberry and Lemon Rosé Sparkler

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pt. fresh raspberries

2 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 bottle sparkling rosé, chilled

Sliced lemons and raspberries, for serving

Directions:

• Smash raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a pitcher.
• Top with sparkling rosé.
• Serve over ice with sliced lemons and raspberries.