The 3-Ingredient Trader Joe’s Cocktail I’m Making All Summer Long

Summer means long, sunny days, and for me that means extra time for happy hour. Happy hour is my favorite time of day; work winds down, allowing you to relax on the porch or with a friend or two with a refreshing cocktail. And while I love a good deal, the best happy hour prices are found at home. Save those tips for the vacation fund!

I love throwing together super-easy, thirst-quenching cocktails from affordable Trader Joe’s ingredients. I was recently struck by inspiration when I saw a new item on the shelves: Organic Margarita Mix. Made with real lime juice, agave, and a touch of salt, it clocks in at just $3.99. The bottle contains enough to make at least eight cocktails, so not a bad deal!

I often pass over margarita mix at the store since most margarita mixes are made with artificial flavors and tons of sugar—a far cry from my ideal margarita. This one looked promising, though, so I took one home. But I didn’t stop at margaritas. In fact, my favorite drink to make with the mix isn’t a margarita at all. And I’ll be making it all summer.

Making My Ultimate Summer Cocktail

When I think summer, I think fruity (but not too sweet) and, if at all possible, bubbly. And while margarita mix sure comes in handy when making a, well, margarita, it’s also awfully similar to sour mix. My mind immediately wandered to a whiskey sour, but lighter and summer-fied. That’s how this three-ingredient summer highball came about.

With bourbon or whiskey, margarita mix, and lemon sparkling water, it hits all the right notes. It’s not too boozy, not too sweet, just fruity enough, and with a bit of sparkle. Serve with a lemon or lime wedge, and happy hour is taken care of.

How To Make My 3-Ingredient Summer Highball

Note: If you like your drinks on the sweet side, use 3 ounces of margarita mix. Use less if you like a drier cocktail.

For one drink, you’ll need:

• 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey
• 2 to 3 ounces Trader Joe’s Organic Margarita Mix
• 4 ounces lemon sparkling water (like Spindrift)
• Lime or lemon wedge or wheel, for garnish, optional

Combine the bourbon and margarita mix in a highball glass or glass of your choice (it should hold at least 12 ounces). Fill the glass with ice, then top with the sparkling water. Give a gentle mix and serve.

Simple Swaps

Most any bourbon or whiskey will work for this recipe, so there's no need to break the bank. I like Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, or Maker’s Mark in this drink, but TJ’s own Irish Whiskey works just fine, too. If you’re not a brown liquor kind of person, this drink is also mighty nice with blanco or mild reposado tequila or even vodka.

I recommend using a sparkling water that contains real fruit juice and no sweeteners, but any kind of lemon,  lime, or plain sparkling water will work. If your choice doesn’t contain juice, squeeze a lemon or lime wedge into the drink before serving.