Need to Cool Off With the Perfect Summer Cocktail? Check Out “Big’s Mixology 101″ for This Weekend

Let's face it when it's hot outside something cool, refreshing and alcoholic is needed in a big way. The same old cold beer and margarita has been done to death so let me  freshen up your summer with a little "Big's Mixology 101".

One of the best parts of summer is the availability of fresh fruits. This week I'm giving you one of my favorites... Peaches. Nothing say's summer like a fat, sweet, juicy peach. Don't think only about the overly sweet Peach flavored Schnapps. Instead think about picked from the tree, bursting with flavor fresh peaches that are now in season and in stores and markets.

First Up: Here is a play on one of my Soccer Mom's staple, Sangria. Perfect for a Saturday by the pool, BBQ party on the patio or just to have on hand and in the fridge for yourself and in case company should come calling.

• Ingredients

  • 1 bottle white wine (Spanish table wine)
  • 3 ounces brandy
  • 2 ounces triple sec
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 ounces simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water brought to a boil for 2 minutes in a small saucepan) and cooled (leftover syrup can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 month)
  • 3 ounces white peach puree (peel peaches, remove pit and puree in a blender with a small amount of water)
  • Fresh peaches, oranges, and apples sliced

  Directions

  Place all ingredients in a pitcher and stir to mix. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 48 hours. Serve over ice.

Next Up: Let's put a little twist on a Texas classic the Margarita. Once again the Peach is the Star. Let me let you in on a couple of little secrets to making the perfect Margarita. A splash of simple syrup and the shake is key and of course the better the Tequila the better the result so choose from the Top Shelf and pour it heavy. You can not stir a margarita. Just a splash of simple syrup (water and sugar 4:1 ratio) and shake shake shake! That will leave you that perfect sweet frothy Margarita that you are looking for.