Whether your capping off a relaxing day at the beach in summer; enjoying the last of the warm weather in autumn; cozying up beside the heaters in winter; or watching the snow melt as spring breathes life into the world again, there is a cocktail to suit the season. Here are a few tips for what you want to look for in a cocktail to suit the season you are in.

When you are basking in the sunshine of summer, either on the beach or seated outside of a bar with your shades on, a tall and cool cocktail is required to quench your thirst. You don’t want to go for anything too sweet, but rather zesty with plenty of citrus fruit will do the trick nicely. Lighter cocktails suit this time of year, less alcoholic content the better. Bubbles also suit warm weather giving a cocktail a fresh taste. Most importantly of all though is a generous helping of ice. If you are making your own cocktail, a Gin and Tonic for example, make sure you keep the Gin in the freezer and the soda water in the fridge to keep your cocktail cool and refreshing. A great example of a cocktail which compliments the heat of the summer time is the exotic and bracing Mai Tai.

Moving into autumn as leaves begin to darken their hue and the weather cools as the winds picks up, there is a new set of criteria for selecting a cocktail to suit the climate. The suns rays have cooled down a little so it is the perfect time of year to find a relaxing seat outside of a bar and enjoy a chat with friends over a cocktail. As opposed to summer you want your autumn cocktail to have a bit more of a kick to it to brace yourself against the oncoming winds, a Manhattan suits this time of year with its whiskey warmth and sweet flavors. Mulled Wine is also perfect for this time of year with its spicy and zesty flavors proving a perfect bridge between the summer and oncoming winter.

With all the windows shut and the heaters on and the brazen cold of winter on our doorstep there is nothing quite like warming yourself up with a cocktail indoors during the long nights. The best liquor for this season is obviously the strong ones such as whiskey or brandy which you can feel going to work as they slip down your throat. A Rust Nail cocktail is a fantastic for this time of year, combining whiskey and Drambuie, it dispels any wintry colds immediately. Hot drinks such as an Irish Coffee are great during the day to perk you up and give you an added layer of warmth before braving the harsh outdoors.

As the veil of winter beings to be drawn back and the flowers and color of spring start to poke their heads, a new environment calls for a new type of cocktail to suit the conditions. It is perhaps the nicest time of year to watch the world as it slowly comes alive again and there is no better way to do this than to sit outside with a fresh fruity cocktail to forget the wintry cold that has all but passed. A Long Island Ice Tea is a perfect cocktail to compliment the fresh and unobtrusive breezes of spring. Even if the weather refuses drop its winter mood a spring time cocktail will help clear away those winter blues.

Author Bio: Cocktail Zen provides cocktails and rum drinks to the masses.

Category: Food and Drinks
Keywords: cocktails, cocktail recipes, rum drinks, mixed drink recipes