Labor Day cocktails that do not require a lot of labor

Even though canned cocktails are having a moment, a holiday is the perfect time to get behind the bar and start shaking. These Labor Day cocktails are easy, tasty and just a shake away, but are not overly labor intensive. Which cocktail are you ready to sip?

Holidays and cocktails tend to go hand in hand. That day off from work is a reason to raise a toast to good times and good friends. From a taste of the tropics to a lighter spritz, there are various choices.

Here are a few Labor Day cocktails that FoodSided recommends:

Hard Cranberry Arnold Palmer

Ocean Spray has shared this version of an Arnold Palmer. Since many people have Ocean Spray cranberry juices in the fridge, it is easy to mix up this option. And, the vodka can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce sweet tea vodka
• 1 ounce vodka
• 4 ounces Ocean Spray Cran-Lemonade Cranberry Lemonade Juice Drink
• Lemon slice for garnish

Directions:

• Fill highball or Collins glass with ice. Add sweet tea vodka, vodka and cranberry lemonade. Stir. Garnish with lemon slice.
• Tips: For a southern sweet tea version, use 2 oz sweet tea vodka and omit regular vodka.

St-Germain Spritz

Summer and spritz seem to be a perfect pairing. While summer might be starting to fade, the lighter cocktail is perfect for an afternoon sipper. A touch sweet, a little bright, and quite refreshing for the holiday or any day.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz St-Germain French Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 oz Dry Sparkling Wine
• 2 oz Sparkling Water

Method

• Combine all ingredients in tall glass and gently stir.

Soulful Summer

Whether it was the summer do-over or just a reason to live up the moment, this summer has been filled with fun. With this cocktail, it is time to toast all the favorite flavors of summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz GREY GOOSE Essences Watermelon and Basil
• ¼ oz Basil Syrup
• 4 oz Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic

Method

• Fill a chilled glass with cubed ice, add GREY GOOSE Essences Watermelon and Basil, and the Basil Syrup. Top with Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic. Then simply garnish with some rose buds.

https://twitter.com/DeLeonTequila/status/1426227052248805382

DeLeón Paloma Spritz

Sometimes combining two favorite cocktails in one glass is a great idea. This cocktail combines a spritz and a paloma. For drinkers who want a little more punch to their spritz, this cocktail is a great choice.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. DeLeón Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz. Aperol
• ½ oz. Fresh Lime
• Splash of Prosecco

Method:

• Add DeLeón Blanco, Aperol and lime into an ice-filled stemless wine glass. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Boyne & Blanc

While many Labor Day cocktails are fruity, this cocktail takes a different approach. While still light, the Slaine Irish Whiskey is a nuanced flavor. The touch of bitters with Slane brings out the layers within the whiskey. Here’s how to make Boyne & Blanc by Colten Murray, 12 (Atlanta)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Slane Irish Whiskey
• ¾ oz La Pivon Blanco Vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Preparation instructions:

• Stir, strain into coupe
• Garnish with lemon peel

Belvedere Blackberry & Lemongrass Spritz

This version of a spritz adds savory note with the lemongrass. While the honey brings the sweetness, that mint garnish adds the brightness to keep it balanced. But, be cautious with the sparkling wine chosen so that it blends with the other flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ oz Belvedere Blackberry & Lemongrass
• ¼ oz Dry Vermouth
• 1 TSP Honey Water
• 2 oz Dry Sparkling Wine
• 2 Fresh Blackberries
• Sprig of Mint

Method:

• Place all ingredients in Spritz glass over cubed ice and stir gently to combine. Garnish.

Frozen Gin & Tonic

Who doesn’t love a frozen cocktail on a hot day? Instead of a margarita or a daiquiri why not turn that gin and tonic into a frozen cocktail. Doesn’t the whirl of the blender sound enticing?

Ingredients

• 1 750ml Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 80 oz. Fever Tree Tonic Water
• 34 oz. Filtered Water
• 17 oz. Lime Cordial
• 6 oz. Grapefruit Juice
• 6 oz. Lemon Juice

Method:

• Place all ingredients into a blender with ice & mix up. Garnish with a grapefruit and lime slice.

bubly’s boozyberry

Everyone knows that they should stay hydrated, which is why there is always a can of bubly sparkling water in the fridge. With this cocktail, it can be both a cocktail and a mocktail.

Ingredients:

• blueberry pomegranatebubly
• 1 orange wheel
• 1 tbsp. frozen blueberries, defrosted
• ¼ oz. blueberry juice from bag
• ½ oz. agave (optional)
• Orange bitters
• 1 ½ oz. rye whiskey

Method:

• Layer a round slice of orange, blueberries, blueberry juice, and agave (optional) in bottom of a rocks glass, and muddle gently. Add bitters and whiskey. Fill with ice and top with blueberry pomegranatebubly. Stir and serve.

What Labor Day cocktails are you enjoying? What is your favorite holiday cocktail?