Florida Sunshine And Nostalgia In A Glass
I typically approach pre-mixed cocktails with a little trepidation. I feel there is a 50/50 chance at best, that they will be good. Fresh is always best in my book, however, it is not always possible or convenient. When the folks from Sunshine Punch told me about their new product a couple of months ago, it peaked my interest. This new pre-made cocktail is Florida sunshine and nostalgia in a glass and today’s Fabulous Find. It was introduced in summer but is good for Southwest Florida’s climate all year long.
It’s nostalgic because it is reminiscent of an orange creamsicle. In fact, the iconic summer ice cream treat served as inspiration for this. The bottled cocktail is made with oranges, cream, rum and vodka. It was not as sweet as I had feared but rather well balanced. I tried it simply over ice. In addition, I cut a piece of fresh orange as a garnish and it was perfect to add a bit of acid. I may even squeeze a little in next time.
Florida Sunshine And Nostalgia In A Glass
Rum cocktails are a must have in tropical climates. They are perfect for beach, boating and poolside. This makes life much easier. Just screw off the cap and pour in a glass, then doctor it up if your feel like it. Or leave as is.
If you want to doctor it up a bit, the drink’s creators have a few suggestions. Try adding some club soda or even equal parts cold brew. If you want a pina colada twist, add pineapple and coconut rum for another idea. They have lots of recipes on their website. This new pre-made cocktail is Florida sunshine and nostalgia in a glass. Enjoy this week’s Fabulous Find. A bottle will cost around $25.
New Ideas For National Cocktail Day
Here are some new ideas for National Cocktail Day. It’s today, March 29th. Isn’t it nice when a day like today falls on Friday. We have National Margarita Day, National Espresso Martini Day, and everything in between. So why not a day for the cocktail in general. If you plan to enjoy an adult beverage when you get off of work today, ask your favorite bartender to make something special in honor of the day. I mean just look at this beautiful creation from Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs. Besides great food, they have a great cocktail program.
![Cocktails](https://b1039.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2023/03/Angelinas-225x300.jpg)
Craft cocktail at Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs
However, if you just want to go home and kick your shoes off, we have some fun ideas for you. Crafting a cocktail at home isn’t all that hard. There are a couple of simple things you can do to compete with the cocktails your find at local bars and restaurants.
Prepping for National Cocktail Day
The first thing you need is quality ingredients. Don’t purchase the bottom shelf tequila or vodka. You will thank me for this in the morning. Spring for the good stuff for your home bar. That includes mixers. Mixers and tonics can make or break a cocktail. When it comes to fruit, fresh is best. Fresh squeezed juices make a difference and they contain less sugar than the processed kind. For those drinks that DO need a little touch of sweetness for balance, simple syrup is super easy to make and good to have in the refrigerator.
To make simple syrup, simply heat equal parts of white sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves. You can get fancy and add other things to infuse flavor too. Think cinnamon sticks, fruit, herbs and such.
Here are a few recipes and some new ideas for National Cocktail Day. I’ve included a mocktail as well.
Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.