Summer 2025 has been hot and humid, just like it should be. And, it is just getting started.
There is still plenty of time to enjoy parties, barbeques, summer birthday gatherings, or just hanging out with friends for a bit of day drinking with your friends. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa has a spectacular selection of spirits and cocktails that will make any gathering a celebration of friends and life.
You can also host a gathering at The Still House or The Piazza at GV where you will find just the right summer spirits, cocktails and mocktails to make any summertime gathering one of pure relaxation and enjoyment.
GV’s summer cocktails are also available at The Bistro and The Crush House. For those gatherings at home, Gervasi spirits can be purchased by the bottle at The Still House and The Marketplace gift shop.
Top Summer Spirits and Summer Cocktails at GV
Shae Pridemore, head distiller at Gervasi, said, “The following is a list of great spirits to drink on their own or in a cocktail during the warm summer months. Each is a nice bright spirit, great for the sunny summer days.”
- The award-winning Pink Peppercorn Gin
- Small Batch Gin
- BLU (blueberry liqueur)
- Citro (citrus liqueur)
- Spiced Rum
- Small Batch Vodka for various cocktails such as Moscow Mules, Bloody Marys, and citrus fruit-infused refreshing drinks
- Seasonal (summer) Sangria is a great summer wine
If you prefer trying GV’s spirits in a cocktail, below is a list of just a few of the summer cocktail favorites served at GV, including:
- Mint Julep
- Mojito
- Pretty in Pink (GV’s award-winning Pink Peppercorn Gin)
- Gin Daisy
- Espresso Martini
- Strawberry Sage Lemonade
- Spirit Free Mocktails such as Strawberry Cooler and Pineapple Cooler
Or, if you want to mix your own at home, step into The Marketplace gift shop to purchase bottles of spirits to take home. It will be helpful to also pick up some of the mixing tools you may need to start mixing your special cocktails.
As a special treat, Shae has provided one of his favorite recipes for a summer cocktail, Pretty in Pink which is detailed below:
Pretty in Pink
- 1.5 oz Pink Peppercorn Gin from Gervasi
- .75 oz Agave Syrup
- .5 oz Lime Juice
- 3 oz Grapefruit Juice
Shake over ice and then serve over ice with a garnish of Grapefruit peel and thyme sprig.
“Many people order summer drinks over ice, which is nice and refreshing for the hot summer temps. While many of our cocktails are served over ice, I also enjoy certain drinks where I prefer the flavor not to be altered with melting ice. It’s a matter of individual preference; there is no wrong way when it comes to enjoying your drink!
“The summer cocktail is always great for summer, but now and then I do like to enjoy a glass of bourbon as the sun sets on a summer evening.”
Milkshakes, Mud Slides with a Special Twist
For the past few summers, many have been adding a bit of spirits to their summer milkshakes. Shea recommends the following as mixers; GV’s Blu (Blueberry Liqueur) or Giava (Coffee Liqueur) for exceptional milkshakes.
Shae said, “A mud slide dessert with rich chocolate ice cream and chocolate chunks would be made extra delicious mixed or topped off with our Giava (coffee liqueur) is nice! We serve a lemon sorbet with Blu over it, as well as a vanilla gelato with Giava.”
Finding Your Fun and Spirit for the Summer
Trying new cocktails and finding summer spirits that work best for your summer enjoyment is a large part of the fun.
Shae added that summer is a great time to get out and taste great new spirits, “There are several local distilleries to explore, and the Ohio Distillery Trail is a great way to find them. Of course, there is not much that beats relaxing on The Piazza at Gervasi in the summer evenings listening to live music to looking for your favorite summer spirit or cocktail!”