Summer came in with a bang this year with temperatures soaring close to triple digits in some areas and above triple digits in others. What better way to cool off then making a nice cool cocktail in the comfort of your hopefully air-conditioned home? Here are three easy-breezy recipes that will make you wonder why people complain about the summer heat.

Cucumber Martini

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Cucumber is perhaps one of the most refreshing vegetables on the planet so it's no surprise that a cucumber cooler drink has gained a lot of traction in the mixology circle. For years people have been putting cucumber slices into their water, so why not their drinks? This is a great summer drink and will make you feel like you just went to a spa.

Ingredients

• 2 oz of Crop Cucumber Vodka
• 0.5 oz of simple syrup
• 0.25 oz of lime juice
• 0.75 oz of cucumber juice
• 5 mint leaves
• Ice
• Cucumber wheel for garnish

Equipment

• Jigger
• cocktail shaker
• blender
• cheesecloth
• cucumber
• Martini glass
• Plastic squeeze bottle

How to Make Simple Syrup

Add 1 cup water to 1 cup sugar to a saucepan and heat over high. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved into the water. Let cool. Can be made a day beforehand. 

How to Make Cucumber Juice

Roughly slice 3 cucumbers and put them into the blender. Blend on high until it has liquified. Strain through cheesecloth into a plastic squeeze bottle. Can be made a day beforehand. Keep chilled.

Directions

1. Add together all of the ingredients into the shaker.
2. Top with ice.
3. Put lid back on shaker and make sure cover is over the strainer portion (if you have one).
4. Shake vigorously for 3-5 seconds.
5. Strain and pour into the martini glass
6. Garnish with cucumber wheel.

Lychee Ginger Martini

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Lychee Martinis are making a comeback, but there's no reason to settle for the standard lychee martini, kick it up a notch, as Emeril would say, by adding a little spiciness with the ginger and bit of color with the chambord. It's a delicious and, surprisingly, refreshing drink that will make you wonder why you hadn't been drinking more Lychee Martinis.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz citrus vodka any kind
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 0.75 oz lychee juice
• 0.5 oz ginger syrup
• 0.25 oz chambord
• ice
• Lychee garnish

Equipment

• Jigger
• Shaker
• can of Lychees
• cheesecloth
• plastic squeeze bottle
• Martini glass

How to make ginger syrup

Take a whole piece of ginger (about 2 inches) and cut it up into small chunks. Put into a saucepan with 1 cup of water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to boil on high heat then lower heat to low and simmer for about 2 minutes. Let cool then strain through cheesecloth into the plastic squeeze bottle.

Directions

1. Add all ingredients into the shaker.
2. Top with ice
3. Put lid back on shaker and make sure cover is over the strainer portion (if you have one).
4. Shake vigorously for about 5 seconds.
5. Strain into martini glass
6. Garnish with a whole lychee

Spicy Chelada

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Not to be confused with the Michelada, which is basically Clamato bloody mary with Corona, the Spicy Chelada still keeps that bite without the heaviness of the Clamato. Perfect for when you have a ton of Coronas in your beer and want to have something a little more exciting for your next party.

Ingredients

• A bottle of Corona
• 1 full lime cut in half, freshly squeezed
• 2-3 dashes of Valentino
• 2 dashes of Worcestshire sauce
• Cayenne Pepper salt
• Ice
• Garnish with a lime wedge

Equipment

• Pint glass
• Juicer
• Straw

How to Make the Cayenne Pepper Salt

Add equal parts cayenne pepper and salt in a bowl large enough to fit the top of a pint glass.

Instructions

1. Wet the outside rim of the glass with a fresh lime wedge.
2. Hold the glass parallel to the table.
3. Dab the rim into the cayenne pepper salt while slowly turning the glass so that only the outer edge is covered.
4. Squeeze the two halves of the lime into the pint glass.
5. Top with ice.
6. Add the Valentino and Worcestshire sauce.
7. Top with Corona.
8. Mix well with the straw and then garnish with a lime wedge.