Jun 18, 2010
Better than Mike’s Hard Lemonade: Summer drinks for grown-ups
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John McIntyre, a language columnist I enjoy reading, extends the range of his subject matter and gives his suggestions for simple summer drinks that are a tall step up from simply twisting open a malt beverage or wine cooler.
His recommendations:
- Gin and Tonic
- Shandy
- Mangorita
- Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
- Prosecco
- Maker’s Mark or better, on ice
What are your favorite summer drinks?
(No brownie points for saying water…)
* * * * *
Mojito.
hooray for gin and tonic \o/
Ice cold sweet tea certainly quenches when our Texas temps hit near 100. I can drink gallons of it and still safely supervise my babies. Now, if I wasn’t on baby duty 24/7? A piña colada with toasted coconut & whipped cream on top. Yum!
Nothing — and I mean nothing — beats sweet tea. It’s what everyone will be drinking in Heaven.
Brewed sweet tea is the best!
A few years back, we had a visit from a social worker, who asked my kids all kinds of questions they didn’t understand, one of which was, “Do any adults here drink alcohol?” My 4 year old answered, kind of disgustedly, “They just drink water” (because that’s pretty much all the kids drink). But then, two weeks later, she looks at me, pouring my daily dose of sweet tea (which I sometimes called my drug of choice) and asks, “Mom, is tea alcohol?”
That visit was rather traumatic, but the is-tea-alcohol question has never ceased to bring a laugh when we remember that infamous DCF visit.
My fave hot weather drink is a mojito. For non-alcoholic, I love an horchata.
Diet coke….. and more diet coke.
Classic, traditional margarita. I don’t think any of the innovations on this beats the lime original. (I feel the same way about all those trendy variations on the martini.)
Non-alcoholic drink of choice: iced tea. Sometimes sweetened and with mint, but usually unsweetened.
Amen to that. A nice simple margarita on the rocks – just lime juice, good tequila, and triple sec. With salt.
Leinenkugel Summer Shandy!
Mojito…that’s how we used to roll in NOLA.
While there are quite a few cocktails that come immediately to mind, summer is for simple drinks. These won’t require you to buy 45 different ingredients or spend any prep time.
La Paloma –
- 2 oz Tequilla
- 2 oz Lime Juice
- Ice
- 8 oz Jarritos Toronja (grapefruit) Soda
Amazing little drink.
Moscow Mule
- Muddle half a lime in a glass
- 2 oz Vodka
- 6 oz Ginger Beer (stronger the better)
- Ice.
These are so refreshing and easy to drink they are dangerous.
Hefeweizen
I’m a gin and tonic lover.
Pimms for a summery alcoholic drink – a clear winner really for a seasonal drink.
G&T is good too, but isn’t really a summer special.
A reasonably decent lager – preferably from France, Spain or Italy goes down well as well.
Slightly different question:
I enjoy the occasional drink, especially if I’m out at a restaurant, but it’s just so expensive.
What’s the most affordable, good mixed drink?
happy hour is the way to go if you want affordable. there are often two happy “hour” times. like, 4-6 and 9-close.
i sound like an alcoholic. so, for my own conscience i have to tell you i’ve been to five happy hours in the 12 years i’ve been of drinking age. (and probably three before i was 21…) but, if i didn’t have kids, i’d go to happy hour all the time for the cheap food alone.
sangria is yummy!
3 cheers for Sangria.
And Cuba Libre’s (Rum and Coke with a lime)
Gotta go with an ice cold Pacifico with a healthy twist of lime.
Definitely Sangria.
1. Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider
2. New Castle Ale!!
Home made Vodka Lemonade from concentrate – 2 cans water, one can vodka (or 2 1/2 water, 1 1/2 vodka if it calls for four cans.
And Jack and Coke is pretty much year round delicious.
i’ve been making my own limoncello for a couple years now. limoncello (it’s an italian liqueur) by itself on the rocks is perfect for warm minnesota evenings on the patio. it’s also terrific mixed with iced tea, lemonade, or squirt (my favorite). easy to make, much cheaper than store brands, and the taste can’t be beat!
1. Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA
2. Iced sweet tea with mint and bourbon
3. Dr. Pepper, kept in the freezer just long enough to begin to slush
4. Franconia Brewery (McKinney, TX) Hefeweizen
I drink homemade martinis all year.
I’ve had Caipirinha sometimes, which is very tasty, especially after mowing the lawn. Made from cachaca. It’s all very Brazillian.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caipirinha
Primo
word
Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower (Kolsch)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2301259950_6551b0279d.jpg
Real Ale Fireman’s #4 (Blonde)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/3828127447_f5468a9baa.jpg
Dogfish Head 60 & 90 min IPA
http://www.brainardbrewing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/60_min_2shot.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3747095243_b68eb118fb.jpg
The first two are Texas only treats. If I ever come to Minneapolis, I’ll make sure to bring some!
…and sweet tea.
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemondade.
http://www.fireflyvodka.com/
At home: Rum and Coke. Out: Mojito
G&T is the best summer drink ever.
Limoncello on the rocks, sangria (preferably by the pitcherful), and gin and tonics. Mmmm … summer.
PBR
my friend nancy makes AMAZING cocktails, so mostly anything she makes. she’s just started up a blog where she posts recipes she’s concocted – she likes to use stuff she grew on her back patio.
http://backyardbartender.blogspot.com/
Make mine iced green tea from ALDI, the German store…..sadly, a father in law, brother in law and grandson, in that order….once took their very first drink of an alcoholic beverage and the rest is a very, very sad story. My heart is heavy when I hear the above friends treat this trick of the Devil so light heartedly.
Sweet Tea Martini:
2 parts firefly vodka (sweet tea vodka)
1 part sour mix
1 part unsweet tea
sugar rim and lemon wedge
awesome, refreshing drink.
I like the fruity concoctions, so I apologize for this first one, but my two faves are:
1. sex on the beach
2. vacation (had this one for the first time last summer and had to remind myself to SLOW DOWN AND EAT SOMETHING!)
I also LOVE a cold Blue Moon with burgers, pizza, or quesadillas….mmmmm…..
I vote for Hi-C Orange Lavaburst… the kids drink… 100% of daily vitamin c in one juice box.
Prosecco or rose (either wine or beer, either way it’s good!)
Being a good Babdist and signing off I would not partake during my seminary enrollment, I bes’ not say.
Hilarious to me: 1- the Christians who put non-alcoholic beverages down when it’s clear that this post is about our favorite summer cocktails or beers. 2- the Christians who feel the need to explain and or apologize as if they are doing something wrong!
I have been on a Mimosa kick- oj and champange very fresh and summery!
When it’s really hot out and i’m just done mowing the yard or something, I enjoy an ice cold Corona with a lime. That’s the only time I’ll drink such a light beer. I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks with a group of guys on my deck on Sunday nights drinking Guiness, smoking cigars and pipes and discussing CJ Mahaney’s “Sex Romance and the Glory of God”.
Caribou Lou – 151 Rum 1 part
idk what happened the last bit… anyways Caribou Lou – 151 Rum – Half Bottle Malibu Rum- One Cup … or as much as you want and Pineapple Juice- about six cups worth… this will make approximately 3/4 gallons worth tops….but believe me… one jug will have six people smashed… and its potent… it goes down like Hi-C