Step into the weekend with a drink that understands you: The Friday Unwind Cocktail. Have you ever stood on the precipice of the weekend, feeling the weight of the workweek on your shoulders, and thought, “I need a drink that understands me”? Enter our cocktail. It’s not just a cocktail; it’s a rite of passage from the grind to the groove, a liquid bridge from the mundane to the magical.

The Friday Unwind isn’t just a cocktail; it’s a declaration. It’s the golden hour captured in a glass, the essence of summer’s end, and the promise of adventures. With every sip, you’re transported from the hustle of the workweek to the serenity of the weekend.
As the sun begins its descent earlier each evening, signaling the end of summer, this drink captures that fleeting golden hour. The bourbon is reminiscent of the warm summer nights; the lemon juice adds the tang of those unexpected summer adventures and the maple syrup. That’s the sweet goodbye to the season.
The fizz of the sparkling water is the excitement of autumn knocking at the door. It’s the perfect end-of-summer drink, a toast to the memories made and the ones yet to come.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love The End-of-Summer Cocktail
- Nostalgic Flavors: Bourbon’s warmth, lemon’s tang, and maple’s sweetness evoke summer memories.
- Effortless Preparation: Ready in just 60 seconds, it’s the quickest way to start your weekend.
- Perfectly Balanced: Sweet, tangy, and fizzy – it’s a symphony in a glass.
Kitchen Essentials Needed for End-of-Summer Cocktail
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Strainer
- Ice cube tray
- Highball or rocks glass
Ingredients Needed for Your Cocktail
- Bourbon
- Fresh lemon juice
- Maple syrup
- Sea salt
- Sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist or slice
How to Make The Artisan Cocktail
- Combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and sea salt in a shaker.
- Add ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a glass with ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with lemon.
Shake The Cocktail To Really Make It Come To Life
The key to the Friday Unwind is the shake. It’s not just about mixing; it’s about infusing your week’s emotions into the drink.
What to Serve with the End-of-Summer Cocktail
Pair with a cheese board, prosciutto-wrapped melon, or spicy mixed nuts for a delightful contrast.
Tips For Making The Friday Unwind Cocktail
- Ice Matters: Always use fresh ice. Old ice from the back of your freezer can introduce unwanted flavors.
- Quality Over Quantity: Invest in a good bourbon. It’s the star of the show, after all.
- Adjust to Taste: If you prefer your drink to be a tad sweeter, add more maple syrup. If you like it tangier, a squeeze of more lemon will do the trick.
Appetizers to Pair With The End-of-Summer Cocktail
I consider this a craft cocktail, and I am sure you will enjoy the flavor, light, crisp, and very present!
- Cheese Board: A selection of sharp cheddar, brie, and blue cheese with some fig jam, walnuts, and sliced baguette. The richness of the cheese complements the drink’s depth.
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon: The salty-sweet combo works wonders with the “Friday Unwind.”
- Spicy Mixed Nuts: A little heat to contrast the drink’s smooth sweetness.
Substitutions and Additions For The Friday Unwind Cocktail
- Bourbon: This can be substituted with rye whiskey for a spicier kick.
- Maple Syrup: Honey or agave nectar can be used for a different kind of sweetness.
- Sparkling Water: Swap with tonic water or club soda based on preference.
End-of-Summer Cocktail FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
While bottled lemon juice can be used, fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor and authenticity.
How can I make it non-alcoholic?
Replace bourbon with non-alcoholic ginger beer or apple cider for a refreshing twist without the kick.
Last Sip Thoughts
This cocktail is more than a drink; it’s an experience. It’s the culmination of summer’s joys and the anticipation of autumn’s embrace. So, here’s to the memories, the moments, and the magic of transitions. Cheers! 🥂~ Dana XO
Recipe For The Summer Cocktail
Friday Unwind Cocktail
Embrace the 'Friday Unwind,' a cocktail that's not just a drink but a mood. Crafted with the warmth of bourbon, the zest of lemon, and the sweetness of maple, it's your 60-second escape from the workweek's hustle to the weekend's serene embrace. Perfect for bidding farewell to summer, this concoction is a toast to golden memories and forthcoming adventures. Cheers to the uncommon moments and the magic of transitions! 🥃🌅
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon (preferably a smooth, sipping variety)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz maple syrup (the real deal, not pancake syrup)
- A pinch of sea salt
- Sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon twist or a thin slice of lemon for garnish
Instructions
- The Foundation: In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt. This isn't just any cocktail – it's your Friday Unwind. So, take a moment to appreciate the bourbon's golden hue and the maple syrup's rich aroma.
- The Shake: Fill the shaker with ice. Seal it tight. Now, give it a confident shake. Not a timid one. You're shaking off the work week, the stress, and the mundane. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold, about 15-20 seconds.
- The Pour: Strain the concoction into a glass filled with ice. You should see a beautiful blend of amber from the bourbon and a slightly cloudy touch from the fresh lemon juice.
- The Fizz: Top it off with sparkling water. This adds a bubbly zest, a little reminder of the weekend's effervescence.
- The Final Touch: Garnish with a lemon twist or a thin slice of lemon. Let it float gracefully on top, a golden halo for your drink.
- The Moment: Take a moment. Admire your creation. Then, take a sip. Let the smoothness of the bourbon, the tang of the lemon, the sweetness of the maple, and the hint of salt take you on a journey. It's a journey to relaxation, the weekend, and your moment of unwind.
- Cheers to the uncommon, the Fridays, and the moments we create for ourselves. 🥃
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 70Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g
DanaVento.Com is not a dietician or nutritionist; any nutritional information shared is simply an estimate. Use a nutritional calculator if you need exact estimates of nutrition, and note that the brands you use in your recipe may differ slightly or significantly from those brands of items you use, creating a variance in nutritional content.
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