Thirst Trap: What To Drink Over Memorial Day Weekend
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- May 24, 2024
Sip, Salute and Celebrate…
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kick-off of summer, so whether your plans involve grillin’, chillin’ or wilin’ out, a good drink is one the the best accessories one can sport over the long weekend. From creative cocktails to refreshing canned sippers, check out out some thirst-worthy MDW drinks below. There are even some delicious alcohol-free options.
Salute To Summer
Indulge in the perfect beachside drink for MDW, sparkling with the sweetness of fresh pineapple juice and showcasing a distinctive rum cask finish of Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey
- 2 oz. Soda Water
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
Method: Mix all ingredients over fresh ice and pour into a collins glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
BeatBox Beverages
Party in the USA! Known as “the world’s tastiest and original party punch,” BeatBox Beverages, an alum of Shark Tank, is the perfect ready-to-drink offering this MDW. The boxed beverage comes in a variety of flavors like Hard Tea, Peach Punch, Pink Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Green Apple, Fresh Watermelon and more. An easy and delicious option for entertaining, the drinks are low in sugar, low in carbs, and low in calories, served in eco-friendly resealable packaging. And for the holiday weekend, BeatBox has launched its limited edition party box featuring our classic favs Fruit Punch & Blue Razz + its newest flavor: Cherry Limeade. Perfect for BBQs or pool parties, these cool sippers are available all over the country at convenience stores, grocery and specialty chains.
Buy it HERE.
Stars & Stripes Strawberry Basil Smash
ABERFELDY’s festive Strawberry Basil Smash provides fruity and floral notes paired with honeyed sweetness and an earthy finish with fresh basil.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. ABERFELDY 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- 3-5 Strawberries
- 3 Basil Leaves
- ¾ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup
Method: Shake all ingredients, pour over fresh ice and rock glass. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.
Santa Monica Brew Works Beers
Santa Monica Brew Works is Santa Monica’s first and only local and independent craft brewery. Even if you can’t make it to their bustling Tasting Room and beloved beer garden this holiday weekend, you can still indulge in their eclectic collection of brewskis. Some of our favs are the mega popular Head In The Clouds Double IPA, the golden-hued brew, cocoa-infused PCH Porter and the summer favorite 310 Stomped Lemonade Shandy, which is a a bright blend of the brand’s Blonde Ale and zesty lemonade from Hot Dog on a Stick.
Buy HERE
Freedom & Tonic
Juniper Grove’s Freedom & Tonic is a summer spin on a classic, incorporating fresh fruits with a traditional tonic bite.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Juniper Grove American Dry Gin
- ½ oz. Grenadine
- Tonic Water
- Fresh Blueberries
- Fresh White Peach
- Chamomile Flower Garnish
Method: Line the bottom of your glass with ½ oz of grenadine and then fill with ice. Take 1⁄4 of the white peach and drop it into a shaker tin with the gin and muddle. Gently strain over your ice filled goblet and top with tonic water and fresh blueberries.
TÖST Beverages
With TÖST Beverages, you can still pop the bubbly and stay sober. The sparkling, alcohol-free refresher features all natural ingredients and is perfect for celebrating any occasion. TÖST and TÖST ROSÉ have unique flavors with hints of citrus, a subtle effervescence and are refreshingly dry, but not too sweet.
Find where to buy HERE.
Watermelon Mint Sol Fresca
This summer cocktail is a boozy, fruity twist on the classic Agua Fresca, flavored with fresh watermelon and mint and features Eva Longoria‘s Casa Del Sol’s ultra-premium blanco tequila.
Ingredients: (4 Servings)
- 8 oz Casa Del Sol Blanco
- 12 C Watermelon
- ¼ C Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 Lime cut into wedges
- ¼ C packed mint leaves
- 1 TB Agave Nectar
- Mint Leaves and Watermelon Slices for garnish
Method: In a mixing glass, muddle all ingredients. Strain into a glass over ice. Top with sparkling water or soda water. Garnish with mint leaves and watermelon wedge.
Free AF Beverages
“Sober curious” Free AF Beverages are an award winning non alcoholic pre-made cocktail beverage that are also tasty AF. The drinks are enhanced with Afterglow, which is a 100% natural botanical heat extract mimicking the warmth of alcohol and rosy glow, without the booze or hangover. They are low in sugar, low in calories and gluten free. This is the perfect drink for those who are sober curious, a designated driver or those wanting a break from liquor. Free AF Beverages recently introduced their latest flavor addition, Cucumber G&T, truly perfect for entertaining either on its own or in combination with their full flavor portfolio, Paloma, Apero Spritz, Cuba Libre, and Vod%a Spritz.
Buy it HERE.
Mango Margarita
For the three day weekend, Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino created the summer-ready Mango Margarita which features Cristalino tequila, mango agave and is complete with a tajin rim.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Gran Coramino Cristalino
- 1 oz Lime
- 1 oz Mango agave
- 2 dashes Bitter Truth Smoked Chili Bitters
- Chamoy & Tajin for rim
- 2 dashes 80/20 Saline*
*To make a 20 percent saline solution, mix 80 grams of water with 20 grams of kosher salt, stir until the salt is dissolved
Method: Chill rocks glass by placing in the freezer 20 minutes. 4 oz mango nectar, 2 oz water, 2 oz agave with a whisk (or spoon) until mixed. Combine all ingredients in a shaker, then add ice and shake for 6-8 seconds. Remove rocks glass from freezer and dip in a rim with chamoy, then coat with tajin. Double strain into rocks glass, served up or on a large rock
Red, White & Boom Punch
SVEDKA’s patriotic punch is a bonafide crowd pleaser. The crisp, clean vodka mixed with refreshing lemonade is what summers should taste like.
- 1¾ Parts SVEDKA Vodka
- ¾ Parts Lemonade
- ½ Parts Triple Sec
- 1 Part Cranberry Juice
- 1 Part Fresh Lime Juice
Method: Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher. Add 5-6 cups of ice, stir, and garnish with blueberries and strawberries. As the party continues, add more ice and fruit as needed.
Loverboy
Loverboy, is the beloved RTD beverage company co-founded by Bravo’s “Summer House” stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula. Their sparkling hard teas, spritz and premium canned cocktails have 0 added sugar, 90-100 calories and are gluten free. Variations include the Limoncello, Mango Peach, Blueberry Lemon, Passionfruit Guava, Pear Kiwi, Espresso Martini, Cosmopolitan, Lemon Ice Tea, Strawberry Lemonade and more. New for 2024, the company introduced non-alcoholic versions of two of its original, top-rated sparking tea flavors, Non-Alcoholic White Tea Peach and Non-Alcoholic Lemon Iced Tea. Both are made with organic brewed tea and weigh in at a skimpy 10 calories per can.
Royal Blue Slush
Your favorite childhood slushie gets an adult makeover with this Crown Royal concoction. The rock candy extra keeps with the playful summertime vibe.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Whisky
- 2 oz. Blue Curaçao
- 2 oz. Hpnotiq Liqueur
- Cracked Ice
- Rock Candy
Method: Add Crown Royal, Blue Curaçao, Simple Sugar and Ice to a blender and blend until slushy. Pour into a glass and add a sugar stick for garnish.
Nomadica Rosé
Ok we get it. Boxed wine doesn’t historically have the best reputation, but trust us. Nomadica’s Rosé straight up tastes like summer. The coastal varietals found in this wine savor of peak-of-season strawberries and have undertones of freshly picked sage, rose petals, and violets. All in all, it’s like a trip to a Sunday farmers market on a sunny day. Plus there are zero grams of sugar per serving.
Buy It HERE.
Salty Dog
NOLET’s take on the Salty Dog, classic cocktail made with grapefruit juice and a salted rim, is perfect for a warm, sunny day.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
- 4 oz. Grapefruit Juice
- Salt (Kosher, Sea, Himalayan, or flavored with Smoke or Basil)
- Dash of Bitters
- Herbal Muddle (basil, mint, rosemary, arugula or cucumber)
- Splash of Soda, Tonic or Ginger Beer
Garnish Options: Cucumber, Fresh Herbs, Grapefruit Slices or Wheels, Edible Flowers, Jalepeño, Peppercorns
Method: Rim a lowball glass with salt, muddle herbs, add ice. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour over ice and garnish.
Sprinter
Just in time for summer, Kylie Jenner has entered the alcohol space. The Kardashians star recently launched her vodka soda in a can brand Sprinter made with simple, high-quality ingredients – premium vodka, sparkling water and real fruit juice. Created in four true-to-fruit flavors (Peach, Grapefruit, Lime and Black Cherry), Sprinter is a bold and refreshing new entry into the RTD space. Sorry, Kylie’s bikini body not included.
Find Where To Buy HERE.
The Rum Punch
The Rum Punch blends the bold flavors of BACARDI Superior rum with tropical fruits like pineapple, orange, and grenadine, resulting in a vibrant and refreshing drink, ideal for Memorial Day weekend and all summer long.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Bacardi Superior Rum
- ½ oz. Bacardi Black Rum
- ¼ oz. Grenadine
- 1 oz. Orange Juice
- 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
- ½ oz. Cranberry Juice
Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
