Stay refreshed with these fruity cocktails during dog days of summer

We’re officially in the dog days of summer, when it seems as though the heat is unending and stifling all of our fun.

But these cocktails will help keep the summer blues at bay. The first one, the Sugarland Express, features a Texas-made single-malt whiskey that might seem tailor-made for winter imbibing but is also easily adaptable for hot temperatures. Just add bright and sweet flavors, like lemon and apricot, for a refreshing summer sipper.

The Yard House Refresher, from a pub with locations across the U.S., is similarly tasty this time of year. The cucumber from the vodka mixed with the watermelon juice will have you barely noticing how warm it is outside. Yard House might be known for beer, but it’s got well-made cocktails, too.

Sugarland Express

1 1/2 oz. Swift Single Malt Whiskey

1/2 oz. apricot liqueur

3/4 oz. lemon juice

1/4 oz. grenadine syrup (see below)

2 dashes grapefruit bitters

Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain in to a tall glass with crushed ice. Garnish with fresh berries and/or cherries)

Grenadine Syrup

Heat pomegranate juice and add an equal amount of sugar. Turn off heat, then stir. Add a couple drops of orange flower water to elevate the cocktail.

— Swift Single Malt Whiskey

Yard House Refresher

3 oz. Prairie Cucumber Vodka

1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz. Citrus Agave Blend

3 oz. fresh watermelon juice

Fresh lime and cucumber slices to taste

Prosecco

Add all ingredients, except Prosecco, to 15 oz. Collins glass with ice and stir until mixed. Top with prosecco and serve.

— Adapted from Yard House

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