by Ben Becker, Newsletter Writer
Summer is finally here. The sun is shining and it is time to party. So dust off those lawn chairs, fire up the grill, and prepare to relax. While you’re soaking up rays, you’ll need something to cool you down and keep you refreshed. There's no end to tasty beverage inventions that could satisfy your need for a cold one. If you’re trying to keep your festivities on the sober side, you may want to consider these creative alternatives. Try a fresh take on imbibing alcohol-free this July with a few of these mocktail and non-alcoholic (NA) options.
Celery Juice Spritzer
Fresh off our cold press juicer, the Co-op’s selection of juices provides many thirst-quenching possibilities. These are perfect for creating a flavorful refreshment for the backyard barbecue. Stock up on celery juice this July as the foundation for your summer beverages. Just combine a bottle of Willy Street Co-op Celery Juice with simple syrup (to taste) and a teaspoon of lemon juice. If you're feeling adventurous, steep this concentrate with some sprigs of dill. Once strained and ready to serve, pour over ice about until half your glass is full and add a splash of apple cider vinegar. Top it off with club soda, tonic, or your favorite carbonated water and you are ready to enjoy.
“Cold” Toddy Switchel
For a cold night in the autumn or winter, a hot toddy is perfect for feeling warm and mellow while harsh winds blow outside. This cold weather classic is set on the shelf, however, when temperatures are on the rise. With the spice of ginger, the zing of lemon, and the sweetness of honey, our hot toddy mix is an easy starter when you need to rehydrate. Just mix it with ice and cold water for a simple take on switchel, with reinvigorating restorative properties. If you’re needing to recover after too much time in the heat, this is the perfect solution. All it needs is some apple cider vinegar and you’ll have a rehydrating tonic with just the right bite.
Lemonade Margarita Punch
There is nothing wrong with keeping it simple this summer. The freshly made lemonades in our cold juice section mean that you can enjoy this all-American classic with all the freshness of homemade without the mess. However, why not try this fruity take on a margarita for something more festive? Mix equal parts Willy Street Co-op Cold-Pressed Lemonade with limeade and your favorite lemon-lime soda. If limeade is not your thing, feel free to grab a lime juice container from our Produce section. Mix this combination with crushed ice, or serve chilled in a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wedge, and you're ready to enjoy. Looking for something a little spicier? Try swapping out the soda with a Jamaican ginger ale for a playful Caribbean-style take on this classic.
Strawberry Margarita
Looking for a different take on this same party drink but looking to add some gastronomic flair? Grab your bottle of lime juice and squeeze out an ounce into your cocktail shaker. Toss in a few basil leaves, a half ounce of agave syrup, a few dashes of orange bitters if you have it, and a half shot of non-alcoholic orange liqueur. Add three-quarter ounces of strawberry simple syrup, and a few cubes of ice, and shake thoroughly. If you are tending to a strictly NA crowd, beware that bitters will add a small bit of alcohol to this drink, but nothing on par with a standard tequila preparation.
Simple Shrub
If you are looking for something simple and refreshing, but also completely tantalizing, you won’t go wrong with a shrub mixer. Your Co-op carries several local brands of shrub, but it is worth looking for the Siren Shrub Co. varieties the next time you make a grocery run. A women-owned, Wisconsin-based company, Siren boasts an assortment of delicious flavors including Tart Cherry, Basil, and Lemongrass. All you need is a highball glass and some tonic or soda water for dilution to enjoy the complex, tangy flavors the shrub contains, along with a satisfying sweetness. Don’t be afraid to experiment with fresh fruit or a simple garnish.
The Old Fashioned
Whether it's enjoyed during a cold winter evening or on a summer afternoon next to the lake, the brandy Old Fashioned has a special place in the heart of Wisconsin’s beverage culture. The name “Old Fashioned” refers to the recipe’s history as one of the simpler cocktail preparations dating back to the 19th century. Plainly prepared with only sugar, whiskey, bitters, and water, the old-fashioned approach to the cocktail stood on its own as more complex combinations of liquor and liqueurs came into prominence. The name has stuck around, although many of us know the beverage best when it contains a muddled cherry, a slice of orange, and the substitution of brandy.
For anyone looking to emulate this long-established tincture with a substantially lower alcohol-by-volume (ABV), try this invigorating tea-based version of the cocktail. To prepare, chill three ounces of black tea (if brewing at home, make sure it is sufficiently steeped for a richer, more flavorful result). Add three-quarter ounces of simple syrup, four dashes of orange bitters, and mix with ice in a glass. Stir rapidly to chill and then pour onto rocks in your highball glass. Add just a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters (Angostura is recommended, but you might also try Peychaud or cherry for a slight variation). Garnish with an orange slice and you’ll have the perfect complement to a summer’s evening with only trace amounts of alcohol.
Tequila Sunrise
While the non-alcoholic version hardly lives up to its name, you can still enjoy this citric delight in all of its chromatic glory before operating heavy machinery. For best results, stock up on cold-pressed orange juice from the Co-op for the freshest flavor. Because our orange juice is not pasteurized, it has superior freshness compared to carton juices, which have been heated, heavily processed, and sometimes adulterated with sugar before you ever open them. However, you’ll want to use the freshly pressed OJ as soon as possible for peak quality. From your cold-press bottle, pour two ounces into a hurricane glass filled with ice. Add three ounces of pineapple juice. Stir well to mix. Finally, add a three-quarter shot of grenadine and allow it to sink to the bottom. As it does you will observe the “Sunset” layering of colors. Drink via sip or straw!
Mai Tai
If you’re trying to beat the heat, nothing would prove quite so seductive as the Mai Tai’s tropical flavors. Even without rum, the tart and sweet tastes combine to tempt you to drink round after round. You’ll need to make sure you have fresh orange juice from our cold-pressed selection. The tart and bitter accents of these fresh-squeezed oranges will give this concoction something you just can’t get from the carton. Pineapple brings that sweet-tart complement. Combine these in a cocktail shaker with ice. What adds something special to the Mai Tai is the orgeat. Add this syrup to the mix to savor the almond, rosewater, and sweetness that will balance out the fruity tang. Cover your mixture and give it a few quick shakes. Pour over ice or into a chilled cocktail glass. Drizzle some grenadine to add some color and pomegranate flavor. Pop in a couple of maraschino cherries, and garnish with a pineapple chunk, or whatever citrus fruit you have around.
Virgin Mary
The namesake of this brunch friendly libation makes it sound more saintly than its alcoholic counterpart. However, this spicy mix carries a devilish kick, even without the vodka. To prepare, start by juicing two limes (or measure out two to three ounces of lime juice to taste). Combine with one and a half ounces of cold-pressed celery juice from your Co-op’s beverage cooler. Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of kosher salt, one teaspoon of garlic salt, and three teaspoons of horseradish for a heavy kick. Dash a generous amount of hot sauce according to your heat tolerance. Once combined, stir in 48 ounces of tomato juice. This concoction isn’t ready to serve until you’ve added a garnish, however. Stick with a celery stalk for safety, spear a pickle, or feel free to get carried away by your creativity.
Co-op NA Beverages
While cocktails and mocktails can bring a delightful harmony of flavors to wet your whistle, they are hardly convenient for packing up the cooler for outdoor festivities. When you’re just looking to pop a top, check out the Co-op’s beer and wine aisle. In addition to spirits and ales, you’ll also find a fine selection of non-alcoholic beverages including NA beer and seltzers. You’ll also find mixers, carbonated water, and specialty sodas that will please everyone on these hot July days!