Cocktail Coolers for Memorial Day

AP Photo/Toby Talbot

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have died in the service of our country. It is also the first long week-end of summer (although it’s hard to tell since May has been cool and wet so far) and a chance to get together with family and friends for the traditional cook-out on a beautiful, partly cloudy day.  One of these days the heat of summer will arrive in Salt Lake City, even if that day may still seem far away… 

When the heat does arrive, it will do so with a vengeance and we will need these summer coolers.  When that happens, your best bet is to have ingredients for a selection of summer cooler cocktail recipes available to mix and enjoy on those hot week-end days as you sit and contemplate the weeding or painting you should be doing.  Better yet, have the fixin’s available for two or three of your favorite coolers at your next summer cook-out.  Your guests will be very grateful.  Even if you’re not having a cook-out, these cocktails are great to enjoy while relaxing in your lawn chair and encouraging your wife as she mows the lawn.

So here are ten favorite summer cooler cocktails in time for the Memorial Day week-end.  Be sure to pay attention to how much you’re drinking, though.  These coolers may not taste strong, but they have as much alcohol as any other cocktail.  Cook-out reminder: drink responsibly and don’t play with fire! And don’t forget to remember…

Links to the recipes follow, but first view this slide show.  Find a cooler you like the looks of, and then return here to click through to the full article (or articles).

El Diablo

Mai Tai

Rum and Coke

Dark and Stormy

Gin and Tonic

Margarita Cooler

Lavender Colada

Tequila Mojito

Pimm’s Cup

Gin Rickey