We know Bacchanal is not exactly the time for “classy drinks.” But try to get out of your comfort zone this year and celebrate the festivities with some festive (and safe) drinks! Forget cocktails and mocktails and try your hand at these Bacchtails!
1. Watermelon and Strawberry Cooler
4 cups cubed watermelon1 cup hulled strawberries1/2 peeled lime (or juice from 1/2 lime)2 teaspoons chia seeds6 mint leaves, plus more for garnishIce
For directions: http://www.thekitchn.com/drink-recipe-watermelon-strawb-151271
2. Virgin Grapefruit Mojito
1/4 ruby or pink grapefruit, cut into small chunks and seeds removed2 tbs. agave syrup or honey12 fresh mint leaves, roughly torn1/2 cup pink grapefruit soda or flavored mineral water, plus more as neededmint sprigs, for garnish
Directions: http://www.hgtv.com/entertaining/virgin-grapefruit-mojito/index.html
3. White Peach-Lavender Soda
1 cup water, plus more to fill the bottle3/4 cup sugar1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers (1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers)1 pound very ripe white peaches1 tablespoon lemon juicePinch salt1/4 teaspoon champagne yeast or baker’s yeast
Directions: http://emmaelizabethchristensen.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-recipe-white-peach-lavender-soda.html
And for all you 21 year olds (because GASP!…no one under 21 consumes alcohol):
4. Pineapple Mint Punch
1 cup sugar syrup
2 cups fresh pineapple
5-6 springs of fresh mint
2 cups of club soda
1 cup of white rum
Juice of 1-2 limes
5. Bohemian Cooler
1 ½ oz Elderflower liqueur, St. Germain
1 oz Rye
¾ oz Lemon Juice
2 ds Angostura Bitters
2 oz Ginger Beer
http://www.kindredcocktails.com/cocktail/bohemian-cooler
Ok we know that everyone will end up at Mels or The Heights (fingers crossed that it’s opened by Saturday), but if you feel like spicing things up and experimenting, what better time than Bacchanal?