Amy Trushenski (formerly Danielson) of Edina Grill, voted this year’s best bartender by readers of Edina Magazine, was recently married. She might have a new last name, but her great instinct for making delicious drinks remains unchanged. For summer cocktails that are easy, sweet, exotic, colorful and maybe even a little adventurous, Trushenski offers some ideas for spirited, homemade drinks for your summer sipping.
Frozen Coconut Lemonade
- 1 ½ cups ice
- 1 ½ oz. coconut rum
- 1 oz. limoncello
- ¼ cup coconut milk
Blend ice, coconut rum, limoncello, and coconut milk. Pour into hurricane or coco grande glass for that island feel.
Tequila and Grapefruit Soda with Lime
- Grapefruit-flavored Jarritos (this Mexican soda is extra-fizzy.)
- Tequila
- 1 lime
Mix Jarritos and tequila in any ratio you’d like. Pour over ice. lowball or rocks glasses are fun for showing off this drink’s pink fizz. Finish it off with a squeeze of lime.
Apple-Pear Sangria
- 2 Granny Smith apples, sliced
- 1 pear, sliced
- 1 bottle of pinot grigio
- 1 lemon or a pour of limoncello
Put everything into a pitcher. Squeeze in the juice from a lemon (replace with limoncello to add a little kick, “just don’t get crazy,” says Trushenski). Chill ingredients for 3-4 hours. Pour over ice and top with soda water to add a little fizz.
