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Some summer drinks are refined, sophisticated, and best enjoyed while discussing things like tasting notes and artisanal bitters. The Marathon County Summer Hummer is not here for that meeting.
A Wisconsin Summer Cocktail Worth Sharing The Marathon County Summer Hummer brings together a few straightforward ingredients that know exactly what they are doing. Vodka provides a clean foundation, while gin adds a little botanical character. Rose’s lime juice delivers tart citrus flavor and sweetness without requiring you to squeeze enough limes to qualify for a hand-strength competition. Fresh orange brightens the drink and adds a pop of color. Then Sun Drop Soda comes rolling in with bold citrus flavor, refreshing fizz, and the cheerful energy of a soda that has never once entered a room quietly. The result is a cold, bubbly drink that fits right in beside grilled food, sunshine, and a table full of people who were apparently all “just going to stay for one.”
Marathon County Summer Hummer Recipe A quick note: The original recipe did not include exact measurements. The quantities below are practical estimates intended to create one balanced cocktail, so this part involves a little educated guessing. Adjust the gin, vodka, lime juice, and Sun Drop to suit your preferred strength and sweetness. Ingredients
Directions
Make It Your Own The beauty of a simple cocktail is that it leaves plenty of room for adjustment. Want something a little lighter? Use less gin and vodka and add more Sun Drop. Prefer a sharper citrus flavor? Add another small splash of lime juice or squeeze in an extra orange wedge. If you like a stronger gin flavor, increase the gin slightly while reducing the vodka. If gin is not usually your favorite, reverse the proportions and let the vodka take the lead. Just remember that Sun Drop already brings plenty of sweetness and citrus flavor. Add it gradually, taste, and stop when the drink reaches the balance you enjoy. That is called responsible recipe testing. Very scientific. Possibly worthy of a clipboard.
Turn It Into a Summer Hummer Pitcher Serving several people? The Marathon County Summer Hummer can be prepared as a pitcher, but wait to add the Sun Drop until shortly before serving so the drink stays bubbly. Pitcher Ingredients
Pitcher Directions
This pitcher makes approximately eight servings, depending on glass size and how generously your unofficial backyard bartender pours. What to Serve With a Summer Hummer A bright citrus cocktail works especially well with smoky, savory, and slightly spicy grilled foods. Try serving it with:
The sweetness and citrus from the Sun Drop help balance salty foods, smoky barbecue flavors, and a little heat. That makes the Summer Hummer an easy addition to almost any backyard cookout menu. Keep Everything Cold This drink is at its best when every ingredient starts cold. Chill the Sun Drop, liquor, and glasses ahead of time whenever possible. Use plenty of fresh ice and serve the drink immediately after topping it with soda. If you are making cocktails outdoors, keep the ingredients in a cooler or shaded area. Nobody wants a lukewarm Summer Hummer. That is how a good time becomes upsetti spaghetti. For pitcher service, keep the gin, vodka, lime juice, and orange mixture refrigerated, then add the Sun Drop only when everyone is ready for a drink. A Bright Finish to a Day Around the Grill The Marathon County Summer Hummer does not require complicated ingredients, specialty equipment, or a bartender who insists on dramatically slapping herbs against their wrist. It simply combines gin, vodka, lime, fresh orange, and Sun Drop Soda into a refreshing Wisconsin summer cocktail that is easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Mix one after the grill is fired up. Make a pitcher for your next backyard gathering. Serve it cold, enjoy it with good food, and let Sun Drop bring the citrus.
Because summer does not need to be complicated. Sometimes it just needs ice, sunshine, and a little extra fizz. Please enjoy responsibly. This recipe is intended for adults of legal drinking age.
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When the snow starts piling up, most people think about shoveling driveways, cleaning off the grill, and wondering if spring will ever show up. Mad Dog & Merrill? We look at a fresh blanket of snow and think, "That looks like the perfect ingredient."
Ingredients
Directions
Tips for the Best Snowshoe Drink
Make It Your Own One of the best things about this drink is how easy it is to customize. Try using:
Pair It with Your Favorite Winter Feast The Snowshoe Drink is a fantastic companion to hearty winter comfort food hot off your Pit Boss Grill. It pairs especially well with:
Be sure to check out more unique recipes, grilling ideas, and outdoor cooking adventures right here on the Midwest Grill'n Recipe Blog.
Happy Grill'n!
This drink brings together cherry juice, cranberry juice, rum, and sparkling seltzer water for a smooth summer cocktail that feels perfect for cookouts, patio nights, cabin weekends, tailgates, or sitting around a firepit telling stories that get less accurate every time they are repeated. Simple ingredients. Big flavor. No bartender certification required. That is our kind of recipe. Cherry Cranberry Rum Drink Ingredients
Directions Step 1: Add Ice Fill a glass with ice cubes. And by “fill,” we mean enough ice to make the drink cold and refreshing — not three lonely cubes floating around looking lost. Step 2: Add the Ingredients Pour into the glass:
Mix thoroughly. That is it. No shaking. No muddling. No tiny herbs balanced on top while somebody says “notes of citrus.” This is Midwest Grill’n. We are here to relax.
Flavor ProfileThis drink hits a perfect balance:
Especially anything spicy, salty, or BBQ-loaded. Make It Your Own Want to customize it a little? Try:
We have all been there. Perfect Pairings
And naturally: A Pit Boss smoker rolling in the background makes everything taste better somehow. Science probably. Final Thoughts The best summer drinks are not complicated. They are cold. Refreshing. Easy to make. And somehow taste even better outside near a grill. This Cherry Cranberry Rum Drink checks every box. Whether you are hosting a backyard cookout, relaxing at the cabin, or hanging around the smoker waiting for dinner, this cocktail fits right in with the Midwest Grill’n lifestyle. Simple recipes. Good company. Smoke in the air. And drinks cold enough to survive summer. Pit Boss Grills Presents Mad Dog & Merrill Midwest Grill'n — where the cocktails are cold, the grill stays hot, and somebody is absolutely forgetting where they set their drink down.
Some drinks are fancy. Some drinks are refreshing. And some drinks make you sit back in your lawn chair, stare proudly at your smoker, and suddenly believe you’ve got life completely figured out.
This is the perfect drink for:
Sun Drop Mint Cooler Ingredients
Directions Step 1: Muddle the Mint Add the fresh mint and artificial sweetener to the bottom of a glass. Muddle everything together well. You want to release all that fresh mint flavor without absolutely annihilating the leaves like you’re fighting for your life in a cooking competition show. Gentle chaos. Immediately after muddling, the smell alone starts feeling like summer. Step 2: Add the Sun Drop Pour in the Diet Sun Drop soda and stir well. The citrus from the Sun Drop mixes perfectly with the mint and whiskey for that crisp, sweet, refreshing backyard flavor that practically screams: “Cancel all responsibilities for the evening.” And yes… Sun Drop fans are about to get emotionally attached to this recipe. Step 3: Ice & Whiskey Time Fill the glass with ice cubes. Then add:
At this point you should probably:
Serving Suggestions This cocktail pairs perfectly with:
Optional garnish:
Midwest Grill’n Pro Tip
Fresh mint makes a HUGE difference here. The cool mint mixed with the citrus kick from Sun Drop and smooth whiskey creates one dangerously refreshing cocktail that goes down easier than it probably should. So if your patio party needs a signature drink this summer… congratulations. Problem solved. The Cocktail That Belongs Next to Every Grill
It’s simple, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make. No complicated techniques. No long ingredient lists. Just a bright, citrusy drink that pairs perfectly with grilled food. Why Simple Cocktails Work Best at the Grill When you’re cooking outdoors, complicated drinks are the last thing anyone wants to deal with. The best grill-side cocktails are the ones you can mix quickly without leaving the party. That’s exactly what makes the Hook, Line & Sinker such a great fit. The combination of gin or vodka, lime juice, and tonic water creates a crisp drink that balances the smoky flavors coming off the grill. The citrus brightens everything. The tonic adds refreshing bubbles. And the olives give it just enough savory character to feel like a proper backyard cocktail.
Ingredients 2 oz gin or vodka 2 oz Rose’s lime juice 8 oz tonic water Olives Ice Ingredient Breakdown Gin or Vodka Either spirit works well here. Gin adds herbal notes, while vodka keeps the drink cleaner and lighter. Lime Juice Rose’s lime juice brings sweetness and citrus brightness. Tonic Water Tonic adds bubbles and a slight bitterness that balances the sweetness. Olives Olives add a salty garnish that contrasts beautifully with the citrus drink. Preparing the Perfect Hook Line & Sinker
Backyard Drink Tips Use Plenty of Ice A properly cold cocktail makes all the difference on a warm day. Adjust the Lime If you like brighter citrus flavor, add a little extra lime juice. Chill the Tonic Cold tonic water keeps the drink crisp and refreshing.
Variations to Try Once you’ve made the classic version, try experimenting with different twists. You can add: • fresh lime wedges • cucumber slices • mint leaves • lemon juice instead of lime • sparkling water instead of tonic Each version creates a slightly different flavor. Final Thoughts from the Grill Every grill master deserves a drink after tending the fire.
The Hook, Line & Sinker is simple, refreshing, and easy to make while standing next to the grill. It’s the perfect companion to grilled seafood, smoked meats, or just a relaxing evening in the backyard. Because after a day of cooking over live fire… You’ve definitely earned it. |
RecipesInternationally recognized and self-proclaimed "Grillologists," Mad Dog & Merrill®, entertain and educate thousands of backyard enthusiasts every year with the finer points of grilling on America’s Favorite Grill’n Show. They want nothing more than to make everyone a better griller and have a ton of fun doing it! 
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