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TODAY hosts' favorite classic cocktails get cool summer makeovers

Cocktails are back! Try these summery twists on classic drinks.
/ Source: TODAY

Mixologist Tom Macy, co-owner of The Clover Club cocktail bar in Brooklyn, New York, is putting a summery twist on the TODAY hosts' favorite drinks. He mixes up custom cocktails for Al, Hoda, Matt, Savannah and Carson.

Savannah's Favorite: Tequila Bramble

Tequila Bramble
TODAY

Ingredients

  • 2 lime wedges
  • 1/2 ounce pineapple juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 ounces tequila
  • 1/4 ounce blackberry liqueur
  • Blackberries
  • Lemon slice

Preparation

In a rocks glass, muddle or squeeze in the lime wedges. Add pineapple juice, simple syrup and tequila. Fill with ice, preferably crushed, and stir. Float blackberry liqueur on top. Garnish with blackberries and a lemon slice.

Hoda's Favorite: Tiki Mash Up

TODAY hosts' favorite classic cocktails get cool summer makeovers
TODAY

Ingredients

  • 8-10 mint leaves
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 ounces aged Jamaican rum
  • 1/2 ounce orange Curaçao
  • 1/2 ounce orgeat
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce ginger beer
  • Mint sprig
  • Orchid flower (optional)

Preparation

In a shaker, muddle mint leaves in simple syrup. Add the rum, Curaçao, orgeat and lime juice. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig and orchid.

Matt's Favorite: Cucumber Basil Royale

Cucumber Basil Royale
TODAY

Ingredients

  • 3 cucumber slices, divided
  • 5-6 basil leaves
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice
  • 1½ ounces vodka
  • 1/4 ounce suze liqueur, optional
  • 1½ ounce Champagne or dry sparkling wine (can substitute soda water)

Preparation

In a shaker, muddle 2 cucumber slices and basil in simple syrup. Add the lime juice and vodka. Fill with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with a cucumber slice.

Carson's Favorite: Bloody Mary Michelada

TODAY hosts' favorite classic cocktails get cool summer makeovers
TODAY

Ingredients

  • 3/4 ounce mezcal
  • Bloody Mary mix
  • Pilsner or another light style of lager
  • 1 lime wedge

Preparation

Rim a collins glass with salt. Fill with ice. Add the mezcal and fill halfway with bloody mary mix. Top with beer. Squeeze in the lime wedge. Stir.

Al's Favorite: Rye & Peach Old Fashioned

TODAY hosts' favorite classic cocktails get cool summer makeovers
TODAY
  • 2 ounces rye whiskey
  • 1/2 ounce peach liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce vanilla syrup (or simple syrup with a couple drops of vanilla extract)
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Lemon wedge
  • Orange peel

Preparation

Combine ingredients in a rocks glass. Fill with ice and stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge and orange peel.