Whether you’re throwing a party, or just looking for something to tickle your tastebuds, you can’t go wrong with a classic. These classic drinks can all be great choices. A great classic drink doesn’t need to be loaded with alcohol. There are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that can amaze you, your friends or your family. If you’re struggling with some drink ideas, try some of the ones that will be listed below. Each can be made individually, or in a pitcher to be enjoyed by large groups. Also, a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available. There’s always a way to turn any alcoholic drink into a non-alcoholic form. You just need to find the right similar flavor in a non alcoholic drink. Now it’s time to mix up your liquid intake and try some of these wonderful classic drinks.
1 – Sangria
Sangria is a delicious beverage perfect for parties. The alcohol content means that it’s not one that should be enjoyed by children or people under the legal drinking age. Sangria starts with the wine. You want to make sure you choose a light or medium bodied red wine so it won’t overpower the drink. For one bottle of wine, you want to add 1 orange thinly sliced, a half pint of blackberries, 1 cup of club soda, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. If you want you can add other types of fruit. Just beware if you choose tart fruits that you may want to increase the sugar content slightly. You can also add a touch of brandy if that’s something you enjoy. Basically, add sugar to the wine until it’s dissolved. Then add the fruit and club soda. From there, put it in the fridge and let it mix together for an hour or so. From there, serve it over ice and you’re good to go!
2 – Shirley Temple
The shirley temple is truly one of the classic drinks. The original shirley temple was a pretty simple recipe that featured ginger ale, a dash of the sweet mix grenadine and a maraschino cherry or two. The origins of this drink are full of misinformation, but Shirley Temple herself admitted she didn’t like the drink. Modern version of the Shirley Temple II can include orange juice, lemonade, or sodas like Sprite and 7 Up. Shirley temples are often a perfect option when children are alongside adults at a cocktail party. They get something a bit fancier than their normal fare, but it still tickles their sweet tooth.
3 – Mojito
The mojito is another drink that is perfect for summer, but can be enjoyed anytime. A mojito starts with white rum. Try to find a good quality white rum that you enjoy. Simply add 1 ½ oz of White rum to 1 oz of lime juice. Freshly squeezed is better, but use what you have. You’ll also need 2 teaspoons of sugar, 6 mint leaves and soda water to taste. The key is you want to muddle the mint before adding the liquids. This will allow the mint oil to seep into the drink. If you’re using lime wedges instead of lime juice, muddle that as well. A lime wedge is the perfect garnish as well. If you’re making a large batch, be sure to taste as you go. Add extra sugar to bring the sweetness up to the right level. It’s better to start small and then increase sugar so that you don’t create something that’s far too sweet!
4 – Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer is a simple two ingredient drink that you can serve to one and all. If you’re serving it in its most basic form, you just need to mix iced tea and lemonade in about a 50/50 mix. It’s simple, and it’s delightful on a summer’s day. If you’re hosting a patio, a pitcher or two of arnold palmers are fantastic. You can elevate this simple drink by making your own lemonade, or choosing different tea flavors. Make sure to try out your experiments in small batches beforehand to find the perfect blend. Typically, make sure you use an unsweetened tea when making an Arnold Palmer. This ensures the drink doesn’t become cloying when added to sweet lemonade.
