Hey all! I’m here today with some suggestions for warm weather refreshment. We’re soaking up as much poolside time as we can at my house, because I’m already dreading the gray and dreary winter I know is coming, soon enough. I’m doing my very best to live in the moment and enjoy these 85 degree days, but when August rolls around, I start to think “NO! We haven’t even had summer yet!” Even though it’s been three months! I told my friend the other day I wasn’t ready for fall, and I refused to discuss it, because I know in my winter-hating heart it’ll be November before I’m ready. So in the meantime, I’m compiling, tweaking and slurping on some tropical-inspired concoctions that appear on my Pinterest boards while I pretend Coronavirus hasn’t ruined any opportunity we may have had for a vacation.
First, the bevvie my husband calls “The Vacation” – this is nothing new but we like it around here. Mix more coconut rum than you would think with a splash of pineapple juice and shake with ice. Pour in a glass, and top it with some mango nectar. Tastes like…well, vacation. Skip the mango and add a topper of blue curacao for a different, but still beachy taste. Some websites call that Mermaid Water or Mermaid Punch…there are several variations, and I would not turn any one of them down.
Second, we’ve scored some refreshing organic blackberry lemonade from Costco that mixes well with the house vodka (also from Costco). For fizz, add a splash of club or lemon-lime soda. Longtime readers (*snicker*) know that #OleSmokyMoonshine has a starring role in my #drinkofsummer and I’m excited to try their blackberry moonshine with this lemonade, too.
Credit for the third drink goes to my buddy Paul…he mixed light rum, limeade, and moonshine soaked cherries to create a very grownup version of a cherry limeade. Careful with those cherries though…they’ve got a kick!
Hard seltzers have a permanent spot in our beer fridge, and I definitely have my favorite (hint: it’s a lot of people’s favorite) and I’m digging flavor pack 2 this summer. But White Claw Black Cherry will always rule the school for me. And, playing to my love of lemonades, Truly recently introduced some flavored lemonades that I adore.
Finally, and hear me all the way out on this one…did you know that PBR is now making HARD ICED COFFEE? When I heard this, I was skeptical at best, but hubs and I split one last weekend with our at-home fakeout brunch and were very pleasantly surprised. I was certain it was going to need some doctoring with irish cream, or half and half, or something, but no…excellent on its own, out of the can. Ice it down in your favorite tumbler and enjoy the extra buzz.
Here’s hoping you can find something fun and enticing on this list to help you wring every last drop from summer.
-Jaclyn