Bartender Candy Resmer mixes a Mojito with fresh mint at Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro in Novi
Whether you’re sipping a glass of iced tea on the patio, kicking back with friends at a barbecue with a frosty beer or enjoying a tangy lemonade paired with a fresh garden salad for lunch, the simple fact is more so than any other season this is the time when we focus just as much on what’s in our glass as we do what’s on our plate. Ice cold adult beverages and cocktails delight taste buds, refresh spirits and keep people cool despite the blistering temperatures outside. when you’re grilling steak and having friends over, consider mixing up some of the group’s favorite alcoholic spirits, like mojitos. a pitcher of this fresh, minty drink can be a part of a memorable summer meal.Candy Resmer, a bartender at Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro of Novi (djbistro.com), said the recipe is simple and requires just a few ingredients. One of them is simple syrup, which is made by combining equal amounts of sugar and water, heating until the sugar dissolves and then cooling the mixture before using in drinks.One thing to point out is that it is fairly common for professional drink recipes to use a jigger as a measurement. The Mojito recipe below, for example, calls for a jigger and a half of Bacardi Limon. if you don’t have a jigger cup available in your home bar, a standard 1.5 ounce measurement also works.Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro of Novi also submitted a recipe for a Banana Margarita. Resmer said it’s a pleasantly refreshing drink that is not too strong. if you’re hosting a summer party, Resmer suggests having coolers filled with beer and/or wine on ice. To stock a basic bar for a party, you’ll need vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey, triple sec, cranberry juice, soda, tonic, Coke, Diet Coke and lemons and limes.another way to go is to choose a theme and create a specialty drink around that theme. a spirited punch also works well any time of the year — just make sure everyone knows the punch is for adults of legal drinking age only.Resmer enjoys serving a Creamsicle drink during the summer. this is a grown-up version of a childhood favorite, she said. It tastes like that famous combination of orange popsicle and vanilla ice cream.Kick back and enjoy some time with your friends and family with these delicious adult beverages — and always remember to drink responsibly: These recipes is courtesy of Diamond Jim Brady’s Bistro of Novi:Mojito10 fresh spearmint leaves1⁄2 lime1 ounce of simple syrupIceJigger and a half of Bacardi LimonClub soda, pour enough to fill up glassLime wedge and mint sprig, for garnishIn a tall glass, muddle or mash together the mint leaves and lime. Add the simple syrup and fill the glass with ice. Add the rum and top with club soda, stir well. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. makes one glass.Banana MargaritaJigger and a half of tequilaSplash of limeJigger of triple sec liqueurWhole bananaSugar the rim of a margarita glass using coarse sugar, if desired. in a blender, combine tequila, lime, triple sec and ice until smooth. Add bananas and blend again until smooth.CreamsicleJigger and a half of Absolut MandrinJigger of Cointreau orange liqueur3 ounces orange juice1/2 ounce creamCombine ingredients and blend with ice. Garnish with an orange slice.