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 concoctions to call their own.
“Now that the heat is here, cooler drinks are flying off the shelves,” said Hayley Jackson, manager at Gill Dawg Tiki Bar & Grill in New Port Richey. Jackson shares a delish recipe for a Pineapple Pina Colada, easy to create at home or order up at Gill Dawgs, where they feature giant yard games for the whole family.
Another family friendly restaurant is The Blind Goat, in South Tampa. Founder George Tsambis has a scrumptious recipe for a Blackberry Mule Mocktail.
“A fun looking drink that takes just a couple of seconds to make,” said Tsambis.
His Virgin Spicy Margarita has a bit of a kick. “I like to use the portion of jalapeño with the tail for aesthetics and minimal waste.”
In the mood for a refreshing lemonade? “The number one seller I have is called a Berry Lemonade,” said Director of Food and Beverage at Clearwater’s Watercouler Grillhouse, Michael Martino. “It’s refreshing and perfect to drink by the pool.”
Here’s to a summer of making memories as the whole family sips on some unforgettable libations. Cheers!
Recipes:
Pineapple Pina Colada
Recipe provided by Gill Dawg Tiki Bar & Grill
- Build and Blend
- 1 ounce of coconut liqueur
- 16 ounces of ice
- Fill to 16 ounces with Oasis Pina Colada Mix
- Garnish with Whipped Cream, Orange, Cherry, Pineapple Wedge, two Pineapple Leaves, Toasted Coconut
- Served in a frozen Pineapple
Virgin Spicy Margarita
Recipe provided by The Blind Goat
- 1/2-ounce agave
- 3/4-ounce lime juice
- 1/2-ounce orange juice
- 2 jalapeño slices 樂威壯 — /wp:list-item –>
- Rim an old-fashioned rocks glass with salt or tajin
- Muddle jalapeno in a glass or shaker
- Shake ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice
- Top with soda water
- Garnish with jalapeño slice
Blackberry Mule Mocktail
Recipe provided by The Blind Goat
- 1/2-ounce blackberry puree or use 3–6 blackberries
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 4 ounces of ginger beer
- Fill a Tom Collins glass or mason jar with ingredients and top with ice
- Quickly stir and garnish with a lime wheel
Berry Lemonade
Recipe provided by Watercouler Grillhouse
- 2 ounces of Sierra Mist
- 4 ounces of fresh raspberries, blueberries and strawberries
- 2 ounces of fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1-½ ounces simple syrup
- Procedure (Build in tin)
- Muddle 4 ounces of fresh berries
- Squeeze lemon juice (around 2 ounces)
- Add 2 ounces of Sierra Mist
- Add 1-½ ounces of simple syrup
- Add ice and shake
- Dump contents in 12-ounce plastic cup
- Garnish with blueberries and strawberries
