Summertime!
Sand, sun…and ice-cold, pretty-in-a glass beach drinks!
You know what I’m talking about: tiny umbrellas, a wedge of pineapple, a maraschino cherry on a plastic sword—whatever floats your boat (drink)! I like to call them “vacation libations,” the perfect drinks to mix up when you’re on vacation or when you WISH you were on vacation.
We Buffetts love fun summertime beverages, which is why they’re all over the menu of LuLu’s and my two cookbooks. In these my wiser years, I find a mocktail is sometimes preferable to the fully loaded version, so below I’ve included spiked and unspiked recipes for a creation that tastes just like vacation. And don’t forget to have fun with the garnishes! The presentation is half the fun.
Cheers and Gumbo Love!
Rum Punch
1 ounce high-quality spiced rum
1/2 ounce Jamaican dark rum
1/2 ounce coconut rum
2 ounces sour mix
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce cranberry juice
Splash of grenadine (optional)
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Orange, lemon, or lime slices for garnish
Pineapple wedge, for garnish
1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour all three rums and sour mix over the ice.
2. Add the pineapple and cranberry juice. Add a splash of grenadine, if using.
3. Stir well and garnish with the cherry, citrus slice, and pineapple wedge.
Rumless Punch
1 ounce coconut milk
1½ ounces cranberry juice
1½ ounces pineapple juice
1 ounce fresh orange juice
1 ounce sour mix
Splash of grenadine
Maraschino cherry for garnish
Orange, lemon, or lime slices for garnish
Pineapple wedge for garnish
1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the coconut milk, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and sour mix over the ice.
2. Add the grenadine.
3. Stir well and garnish with the fruit.
Recipes from Gumbo Love
