Corvette Summer Drink

The Corvette Summer cocktail is featured on an episode of the late Anthony Bourdain’s show No Reservations. In the episode, Bourdain explores the quirky places and personalities that inhabit California’s High Desert. His companion for this tequila-fueled episode is his friend Josh Homme, founder of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age, who was born and raised in Palm Springs. (Homme and his rock ‘n’ roll friends provide the soundtrack for the episode.)

According to Bourdain, the cocktail is named after a terrible movie of the same name from the late 1970s. This Paloma-adjacent drink features tequila, fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, tonic water and lime juice served over ice.

Corvette Summer Drink Ingredients

• Tequila: Tequila blanco, or silver tequila, is the best type of tequila to use in this recipe. In the No Reservations episode, they use Patron, but any tequila for a margarita would also work here.
• Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice gives the cocktail a punch of sweet-tart flavor. Use freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
• Lime juice: The bright and tart flavor of lime juice pairs well with grapefruit. When choosing limes in the grocery store, look for ones that are slightly soft to the touch.
• Tonic water: In this cocktail, we use tonic water, which is carbonated water that has been mixed with a simple syrup (or other sweetener) and quinine. Quinine, derived from the bark of the cincocha tree, gives the tonic water its characteristic bitter flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cocktail

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Add the tequila, grapefruit juice and lime juice to a rocks glass. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Ice and top

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Fill the glass with ice and top with a splash of tonic water. Serve.

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Corvette Summer Drink Variations

• Add a garnish: Doll up your Corvette Summer cocktail recipe with a classic cocktail garnish like a grapefruit or lime wedge.
• Sweeten it with a syrup: For a sweeter take on a Corvette Summer, add simple syrup. Start with 1/4 ounce and add more to taste. A simple syrup flavored with ginger or rosemary would complement the citrus flavors in this cocktail.

Corvette Summer Drink Tips

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What’s the best type of glass for a Corvette Summer?

The best cocktail glass to use for a Corvette Summer is a rocks glass, also known as an old-fashioned or lowball glass. This short glass is perfect for serving cocktails served on the rocks.

How do you make batches of Corvette Summer drinks?

When you’re hosting a big get-together, you don’t want to spend the whole event stuck tending the bar. That’s why we love big batch cocktail recipes that can serve a small crowd. The Corvette Summer drink recipe’s simple ingredients easily convert to a big batch recipe. To make batches of Corvette Summer cocktails, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you plan to serve. Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Pour each serving over ice with a splash of tonic water.