Looking to mix it up (see what I did there?) cocktail-wise for your Memorial Day weekend parties? Here are some fresh recipe ideas from some of New Jersey’s best bars and kitchens.

Mother Dearest by Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

Lemonade for adults!

• 2 oz Meyer lemon infused vodka
• 3/4 oz Thyme simple syrup
• 1 oz Meyer lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass. Garnish with thyme sprig.

The Spring Spritz by Jockey Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Morristown, NJ

Sip on this while sitting on the porch swing

• 1 oz Tito’s vodka
• 1 oz St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
• 1/4 oz Benedictine (spiced herbal liqueur)
• 1/2 oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 oz Prosecco

Shake all ingredients, excluding Prosecco.

Then add Prosecco to the shaker. Strain into a wine glass filled with ice. Add a splash of Prosecco to re-carbonate the cocktail. Garnish with mint sprig.

A Thousand Miles Away by Mandara Ristorante + Pizzeria, West Caldwell, NJ

Close your eyes … ahh … paradise

• 2 oz Uruapan Rum
• 3/4 oz banana
• 3/4 oz lime
• 1/2 oz orgeat
• 1/4 oz Fernet Menta

Add all ingredients except Fernet Menta into a mixing glass or tin then fill with ice and shake vigorously until tin is cold. Fill high-ball glass or Collins glass with fresh ice and double strain. Float Fernet Menta on top and garnish with mint sprig.

East Coast Negroni by Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, Montclair, NJ

Yes, Mezcal Gin is a thing and you need to try it!

• 1 1/2 oz Gracias a Dios Mezcal Gin
• .75 oz Lime juice                                           
• .5 oz Aperol                                       
• .5 oz Campari                                    
• .5 oz Agave syrup                                        

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into coupe. Garnish with lime.

Suco de Abacaxi com Hortelã by Samba Montclair, Montclair, NJ

A pineapple and mint smoothie featured in the Samba Montclair cookbook

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 10 mint leaves, or more to taste
• 4-6 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If your pineapple isn’t sweet enough, you can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to taste.

Ginger Lee by Zeugma Mediterranean Grill, Montclair, NJ

You might want to spike this at home

• 8 oz fresh lemonade of your choice
• Splash of honey water (50/50 honey dissolved in water)
• Tsp fresh ginger, shaved
• Cayenne pepper, pinch
• Club soda

Fill glass with ice and fresh lemonade. Add honey water, cayenne pepper and ginger, then shake. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with lemon peel.

(Pro tip: when making fresh lemonade, zest the lemons and let them soak in lemonade overnight to give it that bright yellow color.)

Happy Memorial Day!

Veronique