Though it’s one of the hottest months of the year, stay cool and hydrated. Sip and savor simply splendid summertime beverages.
Whatever your reasons for substituting alcoholic sippables, options are limitless. If your goal is to cut back on alcohol or cut it out entirely, head into the kitchen or bar and get creative with these cool concoctions.
COLORFULLY LAYERED MOCK + COCKTAILS:
Goal? Separate each liquid, without blending the colors. Key to color separation control? Pour both slowly and gently.
When layering liquids creating a color gradient, start with heavier ingredients on the bottom and add lighter ones on top. Gravity wins with this general physics rule of weight in mind. Layering different densities is a process that takes both practice and patience.
You’ll also benefit from a steady hand and tools to gain more control separating colors of liquid ingredients. A bar spoon is ideal, but a regular tablespoon will do the trick.
To build color layers and “float” each new ingredient on top of the one below, touch the tip of the spoon to the side of the glass just above the previous ingredient, angle downwards, and slowly pour the next ingredient over the spoon and down the side of the glass. Take it up a notch using a food-grade syringe, which may be more precise.
GET GORGEOUS GARNISHES with fruit, flowers, and herbs. Try the kabob effect, skewering a toothpick with the garnishes and add a mini decorative parasol umbrella. You can also insert a colorful or bamboo straw. Rim your glasses (wet first for sticking power) with salt or sugar. Pretty in pink is Himalayan pink salt, or blend white sea salt with any colorful spices like paprika, cayenne, turmeric, spirulina, or matcha tea. And coconut flakes are always a nice tropical touch.
- Fruit Garnishes: K.I.S.S (Keep it simple sweetie) with a slice of fruit or piece of zest, or combine a fruitacopia approach. For citrus, try a round, wedge, or spiral of zest. Berries can be dropped in or added to a toothpick. Pineapple, kiwi, mango slices, and maraschino cherries pair well for tropical drinks.
- Flower Garnishes: Beautiful blooms utilized as garnishes can beautify your beverages and also add to complement other dishes. Try these beautiful blooms, whether fresh or dried: roses, lavender, hibiscus, violas, pansies, marigolds, nasturtium, and chamomile.
- Herb Garnishes: Head to your local farmers market, or better yet, grow a collection of herbs in your garden or indoor pots by your kitchen window. Some easy-to-grow favorite herb garnishes include: mint, basil, lavender, thyme, and rosemary.
SERVE STYLISH SIPPABLES in a classic cocktail glass such as highball or margarita glass, or try a hurricane glass or mason jar (also personalizable and decoratable). Or, for a multitude of guests, serve in garnishable pitchers.
Cool off this hot summer and stay hydrated. Whether you’re at work or on vacation, treat and transport your senses, as you savor these summer sippables!
TROPICAL ISLAND SUNRISE/SUNSET
Ingredients:
Grenadine and pineapple juice – plus any optional combination of orange juice, mango nectar, coconut water, passionfruit, guava juice, hibiscus tea, and/or pomegranate juice.
SEA FOAM MIST
Ingredients: mint, matcha tea, coconut milk, blue algae/spirulina for color (and health benefits).
BLUE OCEAN LAGOON
Ingredients: Sparkling or tonic water/fruit seltzer/ginger beer, coconut water, blue curacao, non-alcoholic silver rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and aloe vera juice.
PEACHY KEEN DAIQUIRI
Ingredients: frozen bananas, frozen peaches, peach nectar, vanilla, peach or praline ice cream ice cream, vanilla extract, stevia, honey or maple syrup, coconut milk/half and half/whole milk (optional).
CITRUS GINGER MINT MIMOSA
Ingredients: Ginger tea, peppermint, orange and lemon zest, herbal tea with ginger beer/ tonic water/Prosecco/champagne, and orange juice.
STRAWBERRY ROSE HIBISCUS SANGRIA
Ingredients: Sparkling beverage of choice (e.g., sparkling non-alcoholic rose or white wine and/or strawberry sparkling cider or juice), muddled or sliced strawberries, hibiscus tea, Rosewater, and grenadine or strawberry simple syrup.
Happy summer and happy sipping!!
