Red Bull Summer

Red Bull's Summer is a flavored energy drink sold here in the mixers category. The name points to a seasonal flavor edition, but the listing doesn't say which fruit profile it carries. Check the can for the flavor and size before building drinks around it. Energy drinks in this style are usually sweet, carbonated and fruit-forward with a tart edge, so expect those traits rather than anything subtle. Serve it cold, straight from the fridge or over plenty of ice. Carbonation is the main asset in a mixer like this, so open it just before pouring and add it last. Don't shake it with other ingredients, and don't stir hard once it's in the glass. As a mixer, it suits clean, neutral spirits that let the fruit flavor come through. Vodka is the usual partner, at roughly one part spirit to three or four parts mixer. White rum or a light, unaged tequila also work if you add a squeeze of lime to offset the sweetness. Skip heavily oaked or peated spirits, which will clash with a sweet fruit profile. Because the drink is already sweet, don't add syrups or liqueurs unless you taste first. Use a tall highball or Collins glass filled with ice. Its narrow shape keeps the bubbles lively longer than a wide tumbler. Garnish with a citrus wedge, or with fresh fruit that matches the flavor on the label. For food, keep it simple: salty snacks, grilled foods and spicy dishes handle the sweetness and fizz well.