Pride is right around the corner, but with these colorful drinks you can celebrate all summer long! And for those who choose to avoid alcohol, we also have a zero-proof version so that you can still enjoy these pride day drinks.
STRAWBERRY SMASH
Luscious, red strawberries are at their peak in June – just in time for pride and we love their flavor as much as we love their health benefits. Good for the heart, full of vitamin C and antioxidants, they’re great in desserts and cocktails. Herbs like basil and mint add an extra anti-oxidant punch. Plus, this colorful layered cocktail is just fabulous!
Strawberry Smash
A floral or fruit forward gin like Hendricks Midsummer Solstice or Farmer’s pair well with the strawberries and mint.
Muddle 4 large strawberries with 5 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, 2 ounces of gin, and 1 ounce simple syrup. Shake well and pour everything into a highball or pint glass. Add ice and top with Perrier Strawberry or Plain Sparkling Water. Place sprig of fresh mint in the palm of one hand, cup your hands slightly, and clap to gently bruise the mint and release the essential oils. Add to glass as garnish
Zero-Proof Strawberry Smash
This drink isn’t just for the kids! Substituting the basil for mint adds a more savory quality to the drink, and aside from adding a rich depth of flavor and sweetness the balsamic vinegar contains probiotic bacteria and can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure.
Muddle 4 large strawberries with 5 basil leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and a splash of water. Shake well and pour everything into a highball or pint glass. Add ice and top with Perrier Strawberry or Plain Sparkling Water. Place sprig of fresh basil in the palm of one hand, cup your hands slightly, and clap to gently bruise the mint and release the essential oils. Add to glass as garnish.
ORANGE CRUSH
Ripe, juicy oranges are elevated in this refreshing summer cocktail. They’re full of vitamin C and if you keep the pulp, it’s an added shot of fiber. If you love mimosas on your weekend brunch then you’ll love this citrusy pride punch.
Orange Crush
Fill a highball with crushed ice. Add 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 ounces vodka, and 1 ounce Grand Marnier. Stir to mix, then top with Perrier L’Orange Sparkling Water. Garnish with an orange wedge.
Zero Proof Orange Crush
Fill a highball with crushed ice. Add 5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 ounce lime juice and 1 ounce lemon juice and top with Perrier L’Orange Sparkling Water. Garnish with an orange wedge.
ROSEMARY MEYER LEMON SPLASH
Meyer lemons have a delightfully floral scent, have a softer flavor, and are less acidic than their counterpart. This pride beverage also has Rosemary that adds a savory note to the cocktail, in addition to being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Prepare Rosemary Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 6 sprigs rosemary in a small pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, cover and allow to cool. Strain into clean container.
Rosemary Meyer Lemon Splash
Combine 3 ounces Meyer lemon juice, 2 ounces gin, and 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup in a highball or pint glass. Add ice and top with Perrier Sparkling Water. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Zero Proof Rosemary Meyer Lemon Splash
Combine 3 ounces Meyer lemon juice and 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup in a highball or pint glass. Add ice and top with Perrier Sparkling Water. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
SPICY KIWI MARGARITA
Kiwis are a powerhouse of nutrients including vitamins C, K, E, folate and potassium. Sweet and tart, they make a power couple with spicy jalapeños which are full of vitamins A, B, C and K, carotene, folate and potassium. Taste the jalapeños before you add them to your cocktail so you can control the heat. This one pride cocktail with a kick!
Spicy Kiwi Margarita
Mezcal and tequila play equally well in this cocktail, so pick whichever suits your mood.
Muddle 3 mint leaves and several slices jalapeño peppers in a shaker. Add 3 ounces kiwi puree, 1 1/2 ounces tequila or mezcal, 1/2 ounce Cointreau, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Add ice and shake. Strain into rocks glass rimmed with salt and filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
Zero Proof Spicy Kiwi Kicker
Brew and chill some strong green tea. The tannins in the green tea add a zero proof punch along with additional antioxidants and it may lower cholesterol.
Muddle 3 mint leaves and several slices jalapeño peppers in a shaker. Add 3 ounces kiwi puree, 2 ounces chilled green tea, 1/2 ounce lime juice, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Add ice and shake. Strain into rocks glass rimmed with salt and filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lime wedge.
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
Sweet, plump blueberries are rich in antioxidants, phytoflavonoids, potassium and vitamin C. Lemon (vitamin C) and thyme (antioxidants) really make the blueberries sing. This violet drink that tastes like skittles because of the berries is perfectly refreshing for your pride celebration!
Violets Are Blue
Be careful with the crème de violette; although it adds a lovely purple hue, it has a strong floral flavor. You can omit it entirely. We prefer Magellan gin, which has a lovely blue tint, for its floral and slightly peppery notes.
Add 1/4 cup blueberries to a pint glass. Muddle 1/3 cup blueberries, lemon zest and 1 sprig thyme in shaker. Add ice, 2 ounces Magellan gin, 1/4 ounce crème de violette, 1/2 ounce lemon juice, and 1/4 ounce simple syrup. Shake and pour into prepared pint glass. Add ice if needed and top with Perrier Sparkling Water. Garnish with sprig of thyme
Zero Proof Violets Are Blue
Try adding frozen blueberries to help keep this drink chilled and flavorful!
Add 1/4 cup blueberries to a pint glass. Muddle 1/3 cup blueberries, lemon zest and 1 sprig thyme in shaker. Add ice, 2 ounces lemon juice, and 1 ounce simple syrup. Shake and pour into prepared pint glass. Add ice if needed and top with Perrier Sparkling Water. Garnish with sprig of thyme.
OVER THE HEDGE
Shrubs are refreshing drinks made from fruit, sugar and vinegar. Sweet and tangy, it’s full of probiotic bacteria and makes a deliciously refreshing, unusual pride day cocktail for the summer. For this shrub, we used beets, which are high in vitamin C and folate and can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Real maple syrup is rich in antioxidants and nutrients including riboflavin, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Prepare the beet shrub: Peel and slice 4 medium beets and 1 1-inch piece ginger. Place in 4 quart jar. In a small sauce pan, combine 1/2 tsp mustard seeds, 1 bay leaf, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup maple syrup, and 1 tsp Kosher salt. Bring to a boil and pour into jar over solids. Cover lightly then cool. Once cool, tighten lid and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 2 weeks.
Over The Hedge
Combine 2 ounces beet shrub with 2 ounces rye whiskey in a rocks glass. Add ice and top with sparkling water.
Zero Proof Over The Hedge
Combine 4 ounces beet shrub with 2 ounces sparkling water in a rocks glass. Add ice.
