5 Trendy Cocktails Taking Over This Summer

From spritzes to martinis, cheers to summer with this season's hottest cocktail recipes, courtesy of The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company's (thefranklinbar.com) head bartender Andrew Peterson.

Sour Gimlet

"Gin is making a comeback this summer. It's affordable, versatile and doesn't have 'rules' like whiskey and some other spirits do. We love a refreshing gimlet for the summer with its sour and refreshing taste and silkiness."

For this you’ll need:

• 2 ounces of gin
• 1 ounce of lime
• ½ ounce of lime cordial (2-1 simple syrup recipe with lime peels and lime juice added)
• If no lime cordial is available, then simple syrup will do

Absinthe

"The mild fennel flavor of absinthe is excellent for rounding out a long, warm day. The balanced, herby flavor of absinthe can stand alone in an absinthe frappe. For absinthe beginners, we recommend using Absinthe Larusée Bleue."

For this you’ll need:

• 2 ounces of absinthe
• Crushed ice
• Water to taste
• Sugar cube (optional)

Mint Juleps

"For a refresher, we've been very into mint juleps. The mint adds a crispness and brightness to the bourbon, making it a cooling choice on a hot day."

For this you’ll need:

• Handful of mint
• ¼ ounce of demara (2-1 sugar to water simple syrup recipe with demerara and turbinado sugar)
• 2 ounces of bourbon
• Muddle in julep tin
• Top with crushed ice and mint

Martini

"Playing with the ratios of martinis is a great way to switch up a classic. The vermouth dilutes gin and makes it more approachable, but playing with the ratios to find your preferred balance, allowing for the drinker to really experience the complimentary flavors."

For this you’ll need:

• 1 ounce to 1 ¼ ounces of vermouth
• 2 ounces of gin
• Garnish with complementing citrus oils of your choice

Spritzers

"Spritzers are a popular option during the spring and summer seasons. We've been switching it up by using vermouth combined with club soda and sparkling wine to amp up a traditional spritzer. The flavor profile can lean more herbaceous with a dry vermouth or more sweet and bright with notes of citrus if using a rosé vermouth."

For this you’ll need:

• 2 ounces of vermouth
• Splash of club soda
• Bigger splash of sparkling wine