Classic cocktails are a summer staple, but why not celebrate sunny days with highly-slurpable slushies, jiggly jelly boats or boozy ice lollies. Creative drink alternatives are the epitome of fun and make for an easy party starter.
Chill Out
Ready to meet your new summer drink? Boozy slushies are refreshing, delicious and the perfect excuse to breakout your blender. The formula is fluid and often only calls for spirits, fresh fruit, sweetener and loads of ice.
Nothing could be closer to summer in a glass than a frozen margarita. Recreate this poolside sipper by whizzing the beloved combo of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice with loads of ice in your blender. Garnish with salt on the rim and a lime slice.
The pina colada is spectacular, but trust me, the Mango Castaway (a twist on the traditional pina colada) is totally worth the brain freeze. If you’re entertaining a small group, chuck two cups of frozen mango, 180 ml aged rum, 125 ml coconut rum and 60 ml condensed milk into a blender with three to four cups of ice and then pulse until smooth. Pour into a hurricane or poco grande glass and be instantly transported to a beach-side cabana.
I Don’t Think You’re Ready For This Jelly
Jelly in little orange boats were the playful treat at every kiddie party I attended. These grew up, rebelled and became the spiked jelly shots at our varsity parties. Now, our backyard braais are incomplete without colourful spiked jelly boats. You could use hulled strawberries or limes for smaller portions and grapefruits and oranges if you prefer something more substantial.
The easy-peasy screwdriver cocktail can be jellified in orange boats by combining two cups boiling water with two packs of 80 g orange flavoured jelly, 1¼ cup good quality vodka and ¾ cups cold water. Once your oranges are hollowed clean, place them in a muffin tin to stop them from wobbling about. Pour your mixture into the orange halves and allow to chill. Allow your jelly boats to set completely; you’re looking for a wiggly, wobbly consistency.
Alternatively, create a gimlet by swapping out the vodka for gin, the oranges for limes and using lime-flavoured jelly. A tequila sunrise jelly boat would be yum, but requires some patience as you want each layer to set before adding the next. You’d swap out the vodka for tequila, but use one pack of cherry flavoured jelly and one pack of orange flavoured jelly.
Anything Is Ice Lolly!
Store-bought or home-made, boozy ice lollies are a practical solution to super sunny days. Frost Popsicles online store has everything from classic G & T to a Passion Fruit & Peach Margarita; they even stock Pierre Jourdan Tranquille ice lollies, which are vegan-friendly, dairy-free and also made with 100% natural ingredients. Yes please!
Wanting to get experimental and create your own boozy lollies? No problemo. Just remember the four to one ratio of juice to liquor to ensure that your ice lollies fully freeze. Four cups of lemonade and one cup of vodka with a few lemon slices in an ice-lolly mould can be enjoyed alongside whatever’s on the braai. Use your favourite frosé recipe and pour into a Zuko Flamingo Pop mould for Insta-worthy ice lollies.
Cool for the Summer
Hot days are all about big flavours and fresh summer fruit; finding new twists on how to enjoy them adds to the fun. This weekend, I’ll be making a mango margarita ice lolly and dunking it in my peach and pineapple frosecco. My partner says I’m chaotic, I say I am efficient. The best of both worlds!
ALSO SEE: Cocktail spots to visit in Gqeberha
Written by Carmen van Wyk for Food&Home November 2021.
Feature image: Unsplash
