Summer has arrived, and that means one thing—thirst quenching, refreshing drinks.
By T. Michele Walker
While the grownups enjoy sipping on their favorite mojito or margarita poolside or at the beach, the kids can enjoy their own fun summer refreshments, too.
Mocktails are all the rage, and converting a favorite cocktail into something kid-friendly and festive for the whole family is easy. Summer drinks can be a healthy way for kids to beat the heat and they make a terrific cooking activity, too. These recipes are easy-breezy and may even inspire some creativity, as mini mixologists create the perfect concoction to call their own.
Summer drinks are not just refreshing, they can be nutritious. Marshal Patrick, the bartender at Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville, crafted two fruit-based drinks –– a jazzed-up Strawberry Lemonade and a blueberry drink with a twist called Maiden Voyage. Fancy a demonstration? Patrick said Loosey’s is a kid-friendly restaurant, “I like to refer to Loosey’s as downtown Gainesville’s Cheers.”
Looking for a bit of drama? The Food and Beverage Manager and Mixologist for Covey Kitchen + Cocktails at Hotel ELEO in Greater Gainesville, Tyler Dern said it is easy to add a bit of smoke and theatricality that will dazzle the kiddies.
“We do ours with an actual smoking gun,” said Dern. “Truth be told, you could pick up a smoked Scotch and do a floater on top of an old-fashioned for a similar effect.”
Here is to a summer of making memories as the whole family sips on some unforgettable libations. Cheers!
Recipes
Strawberry Lemonade
Provided by Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville
- Pour ice into a mixing shaker
- Add one ounce of strawberry purée
- One ounce of lemon juice
- ½-ounce of simple syrup
- Shake vigorously and strain over a pint glass filled with ice
- Top off with soda water (or Sprite to make it sweeter)
- Garnish with a lemon wedge
Maiden Voyage
Provided by Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville
Pour ice into a mixing shaker
- Add one ounce of blueberry purée
- ½-ounce of lime juice
- ½-ounce of grapefruit juice
- ½-ounce of simple syrup
- Shake vigorously and strain over a pint glass filled with ice
- Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime
Sunset at Covey
Provided by Covey Kitchen + Cocktails
Muddle one ounce of simple syrup and seven to eight mint leaves
- Add one ounce of guava purée
- Add ¾-ounce of pineapple juice
- Shake no ice
- Fill glass with ice
- Pour over ice
- Top with soda water
