Cocktails & Shortbread

With long, sunny days and warm nights still in the forecast, it’s prime time for hosting backyard parties and evening get-togethers with friends.

Make the most of every minute of summer with fun cocktails that go beyond the standard margarita paired with tasty shortbread desserts. The fruity alcohol drinks are easy to make in batches, taste great chilled or over ice (and with Walkers Shortbread) to bring something special to your celebration.

Here are five delicious summer drinks and sweets to try at your next patio party. How many can you try before the weather takes a chilly turn? Don’t delay, start tonight!

1. 1. BLOOD ORANGE ISLAND BREEZE

      Blood oranges are a delicious, citrusy twist between an orange and grapefruit. Based on the classic Sea Breeze, the Island Breeze has flavors of orange, cranberry with a hint of rosemary to immediately whisk you away to white sand beaches and palm trees.

      Pairs with: LEMON BLUEBERRY SHORTBREAD MOUSSE CAKE

      The sweetness of the blood orange works wonderfully with the tartness of lemon and blueberry. The Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Mousse Cake is a light, delicious way to end any summer meal, and will keep you feeling close to breezy beaches.

1. 1. SWEET BOURBON PEACH LEMONADE

      Summer cookouts with smoky barbecue elicit southern flavors. This spiked peach lemonade is the perfect pairing to put you in a Southern state of mind. The lemonade and peaches balance out the oaky bourbon for a warm, summer vibe. Delicious!

      Pairs with: GRILLED PEACH SHORTCAKE WITH COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM

      With this easy-to-make, no-bake dessert, you might spend more time making the lemonade! The Grilled Peach Shortcake with Coconut Whipped Cream is simply a divine dessert that will make your lemonade taste even peachier.

1. 1. LA PALOMA

      A fun (non-margarita) tequila cocktail is the Paloma. A traditional tequila shot (tequila, lime and salt) is topped off with refreshing grapefruit soda, to make this an instant classic for anyone who loves the warm, beachy vibes of tequila.

      Pairs with: KEY LIME STRAWBERRY COCONUT ICE CREAM CAKE

      Keep that citrusy theme going with this chilly yet tropically flavored delight. The Key Lime Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Cake is sure to please everyone and bring out the citrus flavors in your Paloma.

1. 1. APEROL SPRITZ

      The Aperol Spritz is an often-overlooked classy cocktail. Simple, delicious, effervescent and super refreshing, with a light orange and herbal flavor, it’s an Italian classic. All you need is Prosecco, Aperol, sparkling water and orange slices. Serve on ice for a cool, bubbly treat.

      Pairs with: GLUTEN-FREE ROUNDS WITH BLACKBERRY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

      Orange and herbs are the perfect partners for a sweet blackberry treat. Topping our Walkers Gluten-Free Rounds with Blackberry Cream Cheese Frosting is easy, delicious and gluten-free of course!

1. RANCH WATER

   Still have a craving for a margarita, but want to save the sugar for other treats? Try Ranch Water. It’s Mexican sparkling water (Topo Chico), tequila and lime. We love bubbles in summer. Don’t skimp on the bubbles.

   Pairs with: BLACKBERRY LIME LUSH

   While Ranch Water has zero sugar, the Blackberry Lime Lush is the perfectly sweet treat to complement its bubbly refreshment. Layers of blackberry, lime and whipped cream atop a Walkers Shortbread crust—it’s virtually no-bake and perfect for summertime soirées.

There you have it! Five fruity, refreshing cocktails and scrumptious Walkers Shortbread desserts for your next summer shindig. Which will you try first? What’s your favorite summer Walkers pairing?