As Summer ends elsewhere, it begins here in San Francisco and September trips to Napa are a tradition. This variation of the classic Sea Breeze, is made with vodka distilled from grapes. The Napa Valley Breeze is a cool alternative to Napa’s other favorite libation.

Ingredients

1 ½ oz grape vodka
Equal parts grapefruit and cranberry juices
Splash triple sec

Instructions

Mix Ingredients and shake. Serve on rocks!

Thanks, Shua!

This week’s drink goes out to Lijit, the Colorado (go, Buffs!) company that supplies site search for all of you loyal Drink of the Week readers.

We created this drink specially for the hard working folks at Lijit, who when not helping you to find great cocktails on Drink of the Week, enjoy tequila and Midori.

They also had an arbitrary iPhone giveaway and and picked yours truly as a winner, for giving them inspiration … Read more

It was bound to happen, a cocktail made with the new super concentrated energy drink 5-Hour Energy. Reader BB sends us this mixture of premium Grey Goose Vodka and high-octane 5-Hour Energy. Grab one and hold on!

Ingredients

2 oz Grey Goose
1 oz 5-hour Energy Drink

Instructions

Add to Grey Goose and 5-hour Energy to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well and strain into a shot glass.

Thanks, BB!

Jason sends us this energy drink fueled concoction containing bourbon, brown ale, and lemonade. The Grizzly is not just a drink it is a meal. Be careful, a few of these and you be three sheets and wide awake. OK, maybe that ain’t so bad.

Ingredients

1 oz bourbon
2 oz lemonade or sour
3 oz energy drink
Fill with ice
Top with beer (brown ale recommended )

Instructions

Jason has been making these for … Read more

This refreshing summer cocktail comes from the nice folks at Herradura Tequila (review to come). Tired of margaritas? (As if!) The Herradura Splash is a unique combo of pineapple, cranberry and premium tequila. YUM!

Ingredients

1 ¼ oz of Herradura Silver Tequila
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cranberry juice
Splash of lemon-lime soda

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, juices, lemon-lime soda, and shake. Serve over ice.

Herradura Tequila

This week is America’s 231st Birthday, so what else but an American Beauty? This cocktail can be had on the rock, up or as a shot. Cheers to the USA!

Ingredients

1 oz brandy
1 oz dry vermouth
¼ oz ruby port
¼ oz grenadine
1 oz orange juice

Instructions

Mix everything in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, an ice-filled highball glass or into a shot glass (pictured here) … Read more

Johnny send us this angry, angry cocktail. It certainly has its time and place. I am not sure where, but I have visions of frat boys hazing pledges and fun stuff like that. Certainly not for the faint of heart. This is stuff that great dares are made of.

Here’s the story behind it, this all happened at Fitch’s Tavern:

“So my buddy built a bar in his basement and kept it FULLY stocked. I… Read more

Anna, who tends bar at Monaghan’s, a bar in my ‘hood. She came up with this tasty combo of Absolut Ruby Red Vodka and her own “homemade fresca” (a combo of grapefruit, orange, sweet & sour and sprite from the gun). Served ice cold after a good shake, this is a tasty and cool treat on a hot summer afternoon.

Ingredients

1 oz Absolut Ruby Red Vodka
¼ oz Sprite
Splash grapefruit juice
Splash orange … Read more

This week we have a fun twist on the classic Lemon Drop, sent in by reader Becky. This cocktail is not only tasty; it’s guaranteed to add electricity to your summer party.

Ingredients

1 oz vodka
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp sugar
1 oz blue curaçao
1 oz sweet and sour

Instructions

Combine everything in a shaker and shake vigorously with ice. Pour into a cocktail glass and enjoy this beautiful blue drink. Cheers!… Read more

DOTW reader wanted to share a good recipe with all of us. She pretty much found it by just tinkering in her bar for the long Easter weekend. It was freezing, so she thought something citrusy would be good to bring on summer. The X-Rated Summer is the tasty result. Keep ‘em coming, Blair!

Ingredients

1 part X-Rated Fusion (it’s pink)
1 part Absolut Ruby Red
Splash mango nectar

Instructions

Combine the ingredients in a … Read more