In our continued efforts to ensure that your Labor Day is not at all laborious, we’ve compiled a trio of simple cocktails here. Easy to make drinks that pack plenty of flavor, but don’t require any elaborate infusions or syrups or esoteric ingredients. That leaves more time for watching TV, manning a grill, relaxing in a hammock and actually enjoying the fruits of your minimal efforts. So herewith: three simple cocktails for Labor Day Weekend.
APEROL SPRITZ (pictured)
3 oz Prosecco
2 oz Aperol
1 oz soda
Fill a rocks glass or wine glass with ice cubes. Add Prosecco, Aperol and soda. Garnish with an orange wedge.
ISLAND TIME SPRITZ
by Pamela Wiznitzer, USBG NY Chapter President and Creative Director Seamstress, NYC
1 part Sugar Island Coconut Rum
1 part pineapple juice
3/4 part lemon juice
3/4 part Aperol
1/4 simple syrup
Sparkling rosé
Multiply first four parts by desired servings if you’re making a large batch. Combine all ingredients over ice, top with rosé and garnish with pineapple chunks on a skewer.
BLACK DIAMOND SWIZZLE
by Jane Danger, NYC
1.5 oz Cruzan Black Strap Rum
.5 oz bitter red liqueur (we used Campari)
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz simple syrup
2 fresh strawberries
Muddle two strawberries in the bottom of a Belgian beer glass with the Campari, then fill with crushed ice. Dry shake lime juice and simple syrup, and pour over ice. Gently float Cruzan Black Strap Rum on top. Garnish with berries and lime.
