Summer sipping should be as big, bold, and bright as the summer sun. We asked some of our much-loved New Mexico mixologists to share their favorite refreshing summer cocktail recipes and they happily obliged. We’re sure they’ll be your new favorites too.

New Mexico Mixologists Shake Up Refreshing Summer Cocktail Recipes

Land of Enchantment by Emily Davidson, La Reina at El Rey Court Hotel

There is local and there is the Land of Enchantment — a cocktail created by Emily Davidson of La Reina at El Rey Court Hotel that has, at its heart, an herb simple syrup made from locally grown herbs. There’s yerba santa (known as the sacred herb), holy basil, sage, and lavender.

Desperado by Justin Bellshaw, DWTNR

The Desperado, a Tepache Cocktail is available year-round at DWTNR — the super hip cocktail bar and restaurant in the ARRIVE Albuquerque Hotel — but let’s be honest, summer is the season for a drink where rum and passionfruit have a hot and heavy romance in a glass.

New Mexico Sunrise by Tailor Murray, VARA

If a cocktail could capture a moment in time, then the New Mexico Sunrise cocktail would do the trick with a douse of brandy and sparkling wine. It’s that mellow moment when the desert light meets the cool mountain air and there is that special glow to the sky. The cocktail showcases VARA’s own house-made brandy alongside their vibrant sparkling wine.

High Desert Spritz by Ciana Girón, Savoy Bar & Grill

The High Desert Spritz is a love letter from mixologist Ciana Girón at Savoy Bar & Grill to the open skies and setting sun of northern New Mexico, combining gin and Prosecco as the base.

Desert Bloom by Nicole Barady & Liza Barrett, Rolling Still Distillery

The Desert Bloom cocktail blends a hit of tropical sunshine with a hint of spicy flavors in the high desert. At its heart is Rolling Still Green Chile Vodka, crafted at Rolling Still Distillery in Taos, New Mexico — a women-owned distillery. Mango, coconut, fresh lime, and basil add lush fruit and herbal notes for a cocktail that’s bright and refreshing

Makrut’s Daisy by Jose Noe, Leo’s in Santa Fe

Makrut lime leaves are the star of the show in this stellar summer cocktail from Jose Noe at Leo’s in Santa Fe. Makrut leaves are highly aromatic, lending this drink a piquant, citrusy flavor. Normally used in curries, stir fries and other South Asian dishes, these makrut lime leaves work beautifully in both the lime leaf and lemongrass syrup as well as the salt rim.

Story by Julia Platt Leonard
Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce

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