For summer soirées and warm-weather parties, it’s fun to get inspired by the season and serve signature drinks with a fruity or tropical flair.  Here are a few ideas for summery signature drinks, including a  “dessert cockail” that I’ve personally been addicted to lately…a raspberry champagne sorbet served right out of a martini glass!

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Tidal Wave Martini

1.5 oz Malibu (or other coconut-flavored rum)
1 oz blue curacao
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz amaretto
1 tbsp coconut cream
1 tbsp superfine sugar

Directions:
Shake the liquid ingredients and sugar vigorously with ice.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime slice and orchid.

{recipe & from Mini Bar: Rum}

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Tropical Margarita

1 oz canned tropical fruit salad in natural juices, puréed (from 15-ounce can)*
1 fresh lime
.5 oz simple syrup or 1 tablespoon sugar
1.25 oz premium tequila
.75 oz premium Triple Sec
Ice

Equipment: Shaker & Blender

Directions:

Empty canned tropical fruit salad into blender and purée the contents well.

For one cocktail drink: Juice lime and pour into martini shaker. Add simple syrup, tequila, Triple Sec and tropical fruit salad purée. Fill martini shaker with ice and shake vigorously 10 times. Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange and lime wedge.

*Note: One, 15-ounce can of tropical fruit salad in natural juices makes 15 drinks.

{image courtesy of mealtime.org}

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Chambord Berry Sorbet

1 Scoop of Raspberry Sorbet
1 oz Chambord
Splash of Champagne
Raspberries for garnish

Directions:

In a martini glass, add one scoop of raspberry sorbet (vanilla ice cream also works well). Top with one ounce of Chambord and splash with champagne.

Garnish with fresh raspberries or blackberries.