The old saying goes, "there ain't no cure for the Summertime Blues." Well, the team here at Cigars.com strongly disagrees. The best cure for the blues is a nice cigar with a strong refreshing beverage. We have spent an obscene amount of time researching our summertime cigar and drink pairings to provide you with the best possible experience. So sit back and prepare to relax with our Summertime Blues cigar pairings.
Mai Tai and Crowned Heads Luminosa
The Mai Tai is a Polynesian-themed drink that has been the vacation cocktail of choice for years. Its combination of Rum, Curacao liqueur, sweet syrup, and lime choice make it a flavorful yet refreshing poolside drink. The Crowned Heads Luminosa is a mellow-to-medium smoke with a smooth creamy wrapper and notes of leather and citrus, making it a natural companion for the Mai Tai. This is a great morning pairing for your July 4th weekend.
The Layover and La Aurora Preferidos Diamond
During the busy summer travel season, no one likes having to wait at the airport for their next flight. However, the Layover cocktail will help keep your mood up and your energy going as you wait for the long flight home. A combination of rum, cold brew coffee, ginger syrup, and lime, the layover is rich but also sweet and slightly zesty with a citrus twist. The La Aurora Preferido Diamond, with its dark and rich Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, is a great mate for the Layover and will aid you in curing the summertime blues.
Border War and Romeo San Andrés
This pairing is great because both items are very complex and have a lot going on. The Border War is a cocktail I was recently introduced to and while it may not be my new every day, it offers a refreshingly unique experience. It combines Mezcal, bourbon, Licor 43, Pear Liquor, bitters, orange zest, and ice. As I said, a lot going on. The result however is a refreshing and complex drink with some sweetness, smoke, fruit, and citrus notes making it a great hot day option. Going with the Romeo San Andres, you’ll get the rich and sweet flavors from the Maduro wrapper along with a smooth and flavorful interior.
Hole in One and Punch Heritage Reserve
This combo is a golfer's dream, so make sure to try it out this summer while you're hitting the links. The Hole-in-One is a favorite among the golfing elite using some of their favorite ingredients. It calls for a combination of Scotch, dry Vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters, and a lemon spiral for garnish. This combination of the sweet lemon, the smoking and strong Scotch, and the citrus from the bitters makes for a complex and enjoyable drink. The brand new Punch Heritage Reserve offers up a bevy of flavors including a dash of citrus, smoke great smoky and leather notes as well as a sweet spice towards the end.
Whiskey Shredder and E.P. Carrillo Encore Majestic
To be honest, I never heard of a Whiskey Shredder until my buddy told me about it and I think he just made it up. However, he did make up a pretty refreshing drink and a simple new take on whiskey. The Shredder is simply low-level Scotch, like a Johnnie Red, mixed with pineapple juice, and put on ice. It's fruity, smooth, a little smoky, and zesty. It’s a summertime cocktail for a tough guy, like something my grandfather would drink on vacation. The #1 cigar of the year, the E.P. Carrillo Encore, would go with just about any drink, but with the Whiskey shredder, it shines, offering up notes of sweet spice, smoke, and leather.