In my humble opinion, June is the most delicious month. And it’s not only because it’s my birthday month. (Shout out to Gemini babies.) The weather is getting warmer, saucy summer vibes are palpable, and… well, it’s just perfect to me. To make it even fiercer, I wanted to share a few of my favourite killer cocktails to mix for weekend happy hour.

If you’ve read Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Sykes, you know that the main character, simply known as moi, adores Bellinis. Almost more than life itself. In my novel The Manhattan Mishap, the fierce Margot Moss is partial to gin martinis with a lemon twist. As for me, I love them both but there are five others that I’m equally as obsessed with.

To celebrate the start of a very sexy señorita summer, let’s get sipping some of my favourite killer cocktails. Which one are you going to make first?

5 Killer Cocktails to Mix, Shake, and Stir for Weekend Happy Hour

Aviation

The Aviation cocktail is, if not my complete favourite of all time, then at least in my top three. I discovered it one might at Milk & Honey in New York City. Wanting to try something new for my 24th birthday, I asked the bartender to make me something with lavender. He fired back, “How about violet and gin?” I readily accepted the cocktail proposal and a few shaken minutes later, I had an Aviation in my manicured grasp.

Find the aviation recipe here.

Cosmopolitan

My love of Cosmopolitan cocktails almost definitely came from watching Sex and the City over and over and over again. It used to be a sort of ritual when I lived at my mom’s—Sunday mornings with pancakes and SATC. The first time I ever tasted a cosmo was at the age of… less than 21… at The Plaza Hotel. I never looked back.

Find the cosmopolitan recipe here.

Gin & tonic

My favourite gin in the whole world is very exclusive. Well, for me anyway. If you happen to live on Vancouver Island, you’ll be able to get Seaside Gin by Sheringham Distillery with ease. Unfortunately, they’re not sold in Ontario. Which is why whenever I take a trip back home, I make sure to bring back a bottle with me.

Find the gin & tonic recipe here.

Tequila + grapefruit juice

I once ordered this at an event and had someone turn up their nose. Until they tried it. Ugh. It really is delicious. Sometimes I’ll fresh squeeze grapefruit juice if I want to get really decadent. Otherwise, whatever you buy at the grocery store will do. Also a tequila-based favourite: Mexican mules.

Find the tequila + grapefruit recipe here.

Champagne

You really can’t go wrong with bubbles. I could drink champagne all day, every day. (If I wouldn’t become an unhealthy alcoholic, of course.) And I’m not just talking strictly “champagne” from Champagne, France either. I love sparkling wine too. A couple of my favourites are from Saintly and Pelee Island.

Find a champagne cocktail recipe here.

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