A Cool Drink

A lot of events in New Orleans revolve around drinking and revelry. But when the summer months hit, besides a cold beer, sometimes certain alcohols just aren’t what you want to reach for while celebrating. It’s also nice, when planning a wedding or party, to have an option for those who chose not to imbibe on a regular basis.

We wanted to highlight a few beverage options that are fun and festive without the alcohol component – but, if we’re being honest, you could put your alcohol of choice in any of the following beverages. Recipes from Delish.com

First, who doesn’t love a good lemonade? Well, maybe some, so we suggest if strawberries are perfectly in season, grabbing some Pontchatoula strawberries and making strawberry lemonade. It’s a gorgeous color that could work wonderfully with your theme, it’s something guests of all ages will like and it’s an elevated take on a rather ho-hum drink. Delish.com suggests adding some mint leaves to really bring it all together.

(Kelly here: Add your vodka of choice to make this an adults-only refreshment.)

INGREDIENTS (for 6 servings)

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cup water, divided
• 1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from about 10 lemons
• Ice
• Mint leaves (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer and stir until dissolved. Let cool.
2. In a blender, combine strawberries and 1 cup water. Blend until pureed. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain puree and discard solids.
3. In a large pitcher, combine simple syrup, strawberry puree, lemon juice, and remaining 4 cups of water. Adjust with more water or lemon juice to taste.
4. Serve over ice with mint, if desired.

Another fan favorite of all ages is a Shirley Temple. A Shirley Temple is a classic drink that includes lemon-lime soda, lime juice, grenadine and Marachino cherries – obviously. Unlike the strawberry lemonade, the Shirley Temple adds a little bit of a fizz that can take the place of champagne while toasting a new marriage or clinking glasses at a bridal shower.

INGREDIENTS (for 4 servings)

• Ice
• 3 cup lemon-lime soda
• Juice of 1 lime
• 4 teaspoon grenadine
• Maraschino cherries, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Fill 4 glasses with ice. Divide soda and lime juice between glasses and top off with grenadine.
2. Serve with a maraschino cherry.

We unknowingly chose to highlight a couple of recipes that all sport a red hue, but when you see the ingredients of this Blackberry Virgin Mojito, you won’t even notice the color it’s so delicious. The mojito is more of an adult drink – which this recipe can also be updated to reflect that – but the same taste can come from the non-alcoholic version that includes blackberries, lime and fresh mint.

INGREDIENTS (for 4 servings)

FOR MINT SYRUP

• 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water

FOR MOJITO

• 1 cup blackberries
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• Ice
• 2 (12-oz.) cans seltzer
• Fresh mint, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small pot using a wooden spoon or using a mortar and pestle, crush mint leaves. Add sugar and water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let boil 3 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, then strain out mint leaves, pressing with a wooden spoon to help release all liquid.
2. In a small bowl, add blackberries and sugar, and using a wooden spoon, crush blackberries until broken down.
3. Divide blackberries between 4 glasses and add 2 tablespoons simple syrup and 2 tablespoons lime juice to each glass. Fill glasses with ice and top off with seltzer, then garnish with mint.