Sip On These Four Bespoke Summer Cocktails

Laura Pica, aka @boozy_bartender, has been honing her skills as a craft cocktail creator and recipe developer for the last ten years. Pica inspires her 20,000 followers to play with new flavor combinations and step out of their comfort zone every day. She currently works Front-of-House at The Wild in Beacon, New York, a cozy spot that works closely with local farms in the Hudson Valley. As a queer woman, Pica has some advice for others looking to break into the industry. 

“Queer women have always been in this industry, and we are a necessary and integral part of the food and beverage space. Do not stay in an establishment that is toxic and doesn’t praise and accept who you are at your core. Life is too short to conform to make others more comfortable. There are plenty of places that will embrace you with open arms and make you thrive.”

Pica has concocted three delicious cocktails, and one gorgeous mocktail, to help GO readers try their hand at getting creative behind the bar. Choose one that speaks to you and beat the summer heat!

The Wild One

Refreshing with a hint of spice, The Wild One is sure to get you ready for a night out. Perfect for pre-gaming the queer bar, a little liquid courage before a first date, or a daytime boozy brunch.

Recipe: 

2 oz. Yola Mezcal 

•2 oz. Cilantro juice

•1 oz. Habanero agave

•1 oz. Fresh Lime

*Shake all ingredients vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice until well chilled. Double strain and serve in a chilled coupe.

Queer-owned brand spotlight: Yola Mezcal uses a recipe passed down from Yola’s grandfather, Louis Jimenez. Yola inherited her grandfather’s farm in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2007 and began selling small batches of her farm’s mezcal production. The rest is history. This women-owned business is also women-operated. Yola Mezcal is bottled in an all-female facility and boasts a female master mezcalera, Guadalupe Bautista.

The Woodswoman

Are you an outdoorsy queer? You’ll love this tequila-based drink that reminds you of a walk in the woods. Never been camping? You can cosplay loving the wilderness with this drink’s smoky, earthy notes.

Recipe:

•2 oz. CASA J Artisanal Tequila Blanco 

•1 oz. Sage Simple Syrup 

•3 dashes of Palo Santo Bitters

*Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with a sage leaf.

Queer-brand brand spotlight: CASA J Artisanal Tequila is a female, LGBTQ+, and Mexican-owned brand. Founder and CEO Sofía Paloma Juárez was inspired to create her artisan, sipping tequila after reconnecting with her father in Jalisco, Mexico—which is widely recognized as the “capital of tequila.” Sofía learned everything from her father, and has spent the last few years building her brand, which officially launches this year.

Ode to the Night

This drink is sexy, sweet, and sure to impress any gin connoisseur. Ode to the Night is citrusy and bright, making it perfect for a summer night. You’ll find easy sipping with this light and fresh drink. 

Recipe:

•2 oz. Hudson Valley Distillers Fellows Gin

•.5 oz. Italicus bergamot liquor

•1 oz. Hibiscus syrup

•1 oz. Fresh Lemon

*Shake all ingredients vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice until well chilled. Double strain and serve in a chilled coupe.

Queer-owned brand spotlight: Hudson Valley Distillers is a family-run, woman and LGBTQ+ owned business in Clermont, New York. The business began with Chris and Jennifer Moyer, a married couple who moved to Hudson Valley in 2014 and started creating “farm-to-bottle” spirits with local ingredients. In 2019, Chris’ brother, Stephen, joined the team. Chris distills the spirits, Jennifer creates the cocktails, and Stephen bottles them. Together, they put together sustainable, local, and delicious cocktails. 

Vibe Catcher (alc-free tonic)

Who says you need to have alcohol to have a good time? Put down the tequila for a night and get a buzz from this cannabis-infused tonic. This refreshingly minty, floral vibe will leave you giggling. Try it out at your next house party, and it’s sure to impress your friends!

Recipe:

•1 can of Cann Yuzu Elderflower 5mg THC social tonic 

•5 Muddled mint leaves

•1 oz. Iced Butterfly pea flower tea

*Muddle mint leaves at the bottom of a Collins glass and add 1 can of Cann. Top with the iced butterfly pea flower tea, stir, and fill with crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves.

Queer-owned brand spotlight: Cann Social Tonic is a cannabis-infused tonic created in 2019 to give people an option to not drink, but still have fun with friends. Founded by Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson, this microdose in a can was named the best-selling cannabis beverage in North America by Imbibe Magazine. Cann Social offers tonic flavors ranging from Grapefruit Rosemary to Pineapple Jalapeño. You can start small with a dose of 2mg THC or go all in with a 10mg “Hi’er Boy.” 

Follow Laura Pica @boozy_bartender to keep up with all her newest combinations.