It's hard to believe we are heading towards the end of summer, but there is still time for a few healthy(ish) summer cocktails before everything turns into apple and pumpkin spice!

If you’re into Margaritas, skip the super sweet, fake ingredient mixes and make your own! Start with a good quality tequila like Casamigos. Since you’re not using the sickly sweet mix, you’ll definitely taste a bottom shelf tequila - and not in a good way.  Squeeze fresh lime, add an optional sweetener like agave nectar or simple syrup, and top it off with a slice of orange.

Recipe

2 oz silver tequila
1 oz fresh lime
Optional sweetener to taste
Generous wedge of orange

-

From here, the variations are endless! Add some fresh grapefruit juice, remove the orange, and you’ve got a Paloma. To make it lighter, top with sparkling water. If you like your margarita spicy, muddle a few slices of jalapeño in the bottom of your glass, then add the rest of the ingredients and stir (or shake and pour over ice).

If you prefer a Pina Colada over a Margarita, no problem! Again, ditch the mix and grab a good rum. Ahead of time, freeze cubes of fresh OJ and cubes of pineapple flavored coconut water. In a glass, add a few OJ cubes, coconut water cubes, and a splash of lime juice. Add the rum and stir. Garnish with lime or pineapple slice. If you’d rather go frozen, pull out the blender and get blending!

Recipe

2 oz rum
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz cream of coconut
1/4 oz lime juice
1 1/2 c ice

-

Grab a few friends, a few snacks, and a fresh cocktail and enjoy the last few weeks of summer!