Memorial Day 2016: 5 Refreshing Big-Batch Cocktails Recipes For The Long Weekend

Although Memorial Day is a holiday to remember, honor and celebrate those who have lost their lives fighting for our country, the long weekend also marks the beginning of summer across the nation.

The warm weather calls for all sorts of outdoor activities such as having people over for a BBQ, planning an express camping trip to one of the National parks, enjoying a relaxing day at the beach with friends and families... the possibilities are endless!

But no matter what you choose to do this weekend, make sure you bring one of these refreshing drinks with you. We have mojito, sangria, punch, a twist on brunch-favorite bloody mary and spiked lemonade. Scroll down to pick your favorite and say goodbye to making one drink at a time!

Remember, everything with moderation and drinking and driving is definitely out of the question. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

1) BUBBLY STRAWBERRY MOJITOS (via garnishwithlemon.com)

Ingredients:

Simple Syrup

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

Mojitos

1 1/2 cups packed mint leaves

6 limes, cut into wedges

2 cups light rum

Ice cubes

12 strawberries, halved

3 cups sparkling Rosé wine

Mint leaves for garnish, optional

Instructions:

Simple Syrup

1) Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool to room temperature and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Mojitos

1) Place simple syrup, mint leaves and limes in a large bowl or wide mouth pitcher and muddle well. Pour in the rum and stir. Strain into another pitcher and refrigerate overnight if not using right away.

2) Fill 12 champagne flutes with ice cubes and divide mojito mix evenly among glasses. Float two strawberry halves in each glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired.

2) FIREBALL SANGRIA (via gogogogourmet.com)

Ingredients:

1 cup orange peach mango juice (Dole makes this)

1 cup Fireball whiskey

1 bottle dry red win or sangria wine

1 bag frozen mixed fruit

Instructions:

1) Combine the juice, whiskey and wine in a large pitcher. Add the frozen fruit and allow to chill for 10 minutes.

3) RASPBERRY RHUBARB COLLINS PARTY PUNCH (via simplebites.net)

Ingredients:

Simple Syrup

2 cups chopped rhubarb

1 cup frozen raspberries

1 cup raw cane sugar

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Punch

2 cups gin

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1 litre soda water

3 cups ice

1 lime, sliced for garnish

2 stalks rhubarb, sliced for garnish, optional

Instructions:

1) Place rhubarb and raspberries in a large pot. Pour in sugar and lemon juice. Top with 2 cups of water.

2) Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes. Do not stir. Turn off heat and allow to infuse for an additional 20 minutes.

3) Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve lined with a clean tea towel, coffee filter or cheesecloth. Cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 5 days.

4) To mix the punch, combine 2 cups raspberry-rhubarb syrup, gin, and fresh lime juice in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Pour in the soda water and tip in the ice. Add sliced lime and rhubarb and stir to combine.

5) Taste the punch and adjust to suit your liking. Tip in more rhubarb syrup if you like a sweeter punch. Serve well chilled.

4) GREEN TOMATO BLOODY MARY (via baked-in.com)

Ingredients:

5 medium green tomatoes

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium cucumber, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped (remove ribs and seeds for lower heat)

1/3 cup fresh parsley

1/3 cup fresh cilantro

1 cup water

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper to taste

1 1/4 cups vodka

Olives and extra cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 300 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil.

2) Halve tomatoes, then quarter the halves. Place on baking sheet in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until tomatoes are tender. Let cool at room temperature for 20 minutes, then remove tomatoes and juice from the baking sheet to a container and refrigerate for at least an hour.

3) When tomatoes are cool, place them in a blender or the bowl of a food processor. Add cucumber, bell pepper, jalapeno, parsley, cilantro, water, lime, salt, and pepper. Process until well-incorporated.

4) Strain mixture into a jar or other container and discard pulp.

5) Pour into glasses over ice and add vodka (I recommend 1.5-2 ounces vodka to 4-5 ounces mix, depending on how strong you and your guests like it). Stir and garnish with olives and cilantro and serve.

5) WHISKEY WITH HOMEMADE LEMONADE (via cookswithcocktails.com)

Ingredients:

Lemonade

1 cup freshly squeezed Lemon Juice

3 - 4 cups Water

Lemon slices

1/2 cup of Honey

Whiskey Lemonade

2 oz Whiskey

4 - 6 oz of fresh Lemonade

Few slices of Lemon

Instructions:

Lemonade

1) Squeeze all the juice from your lemons to equal 1 cup and pour into a pitcher.

2) Pour in the water, the honey, the lemon slices and mix well. Your done!

Whiskey Lemonade

1) Fill a tall glass with ice.

2) Pour in the whiskey first and then fill with the fresh lemonade.

3) Throw in a few slices of lemon and give it a good stir.

Go ahead and enjoy the long weekend but remember to say a prayer for those who gave their lives for this country.

"On Memorial Day we come together as Americans to let these families and veterans know that they are not alone. We give thanks for those who sacrificed everything so that we could be free. And we commit ourselves to upholding the ideals for which so many patriots have fought and died." – Barack Obama