Drinks Cocktails The 8 Most Popular Cocktails in August So Far You'll want to make these refreshing drinks before summer ends. By Oset Babür-Winter Oset Babür-Winter Title: Senior Drinks Editor, Food & WineLocation: New York CityExperience: Oset Babür-Winter has completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust's (WSET) Level 3 Award in wines and was previously the magazine's associate culture editor, where she edited Obsessions. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 13, 2024 Close Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop styling by Christina Daley Even though August is the beginning of the end of summer, we're still reaching for refreshing spritzes and frozen cocktails to beat the heat. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue and want to make a Dirty Martini Spritz to bring Martini lovers into the fold, or simply want to take it easy with a three-ingredient Ginger-Lemon Tonic, these are the month's most popular cocktail recipes to end the season in style. 01 of 08 Hugo Spritz Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen The so-called spritz of the summer, the Hugo Spritz was first made by bartender Roland Gruber in the Northern Italian town of Naturno, near the Austrian border. The extra bubbles from the combined Prosecco and sparkling water enhance the floral aspects of this spritz. Get the Recipe 02 of 08 Bicicletta Food & Wine / Photo by Brie Goldman / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans Legend has it that this simple drink was named legend after elderly Italian gentlemen who found themselves swerving on their bicycles to get home after enjoying one too many drinks. Not sure what wine to use? We suggest trying a dry Italian Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Get the Recipe 03 of 08 Ginger-Lemon Tonic Linda Xiao / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley This combination of spicy ginger and tart lemon was inspired by a drink F&W Assistant Editor Lucy Simon's grandmother would make to soothe an upset stomach or sore throat. Complex and refreshing, this three-ingredient tart and fizzy drink is a satisfying nonalcoholic alternative to a Gin & Tonic. Get the Recipe 04 of 08 Blackberry Red Wine Spritz Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless With zingy freshness thanks to shiso leaves, this dark purple spritz is a great way to use up leftover red wine. While red wine vinegar adds a much-needed additional kick of acidity to this drink. If you like, you can swap in red verjus for fruitier flavor. Get the Recipe 05 of 08 Hemingway Daiquiri Food & Wine / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf One of Cuba's greatest contributions to cocktails, the Hemingway Daiquiri has a complicated history. Said to have been created around the 1930s at the legendary El Floridita, many believe the drink was a favorite of iconic writer Ernest Hemingway, or to have been created in his honor. While a traditional Daiquiri calls for cane sugar or simple syrup, maraschino liqueur is the primary sweetener in this drink. Get the Recipe 06 of 08 White Port and Tonic Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless For this simple cocktail, you'll want to use a light-bodied dry style of Port, which is a fortified wine made from white grapes in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Low in alcohol but full of flavor, the White Port and Tonic is a great example of a highball, which has an alcoholic base an a lengthening, carbonated mixer. Get the Recipe 07 of 08 Dirty Martini Spritz Food & Wine / Photo by Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop styling by Christina Daley You've probably had a Dirty Martini, but when was the last time you had a Dirty Martini Spritz? Playful and briny, this cocktail is one of our favorite ways to get Martini and spritz drinkers to see eye-to-eye. Want a sweeter drink? Just substitute dry vermouth for Italian vermouth bianco (also called vermouth blanc). Get the Recipe 08 of 08 Rosé French 75 Rosé 75 in glasses. Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Simple rosé syrup is all you'll need to take your French 75 from classic to beach-ready. If you have leftover syrup, try drizzling some over ice cream or cakes, or use it to make a low-ABV highball with club soda. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit