# What are your favorite summertime libations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876 "2011-07-05T04:31:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/21 "2011-07-05T12:15:39Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Beer. Crappy, American, sex in a canoe lager. The only good thing about Global Warming is that others might learn that, as tasty as a warm version of something tastier can be, when you’ve mown the lawn in temperatures that would break Mom’s thermometer, you aren’t looking for a room-temperature bitter. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Stroh’s, Labbatt’s (not American, but still effective), High Life, Old Style, Pabst. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/22 "2011-07-05T12:49:39Z")
Two-buck Chuck shiraz or cab mixed about 50-50% with fruit-flavored calorie-free sparkling water over ice. I’ll occasionally throw in a bit of fruit if we have some. Paleo sangria. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/23 "2011-07-05T13:00:36Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > A Caesar. And I ain’t talking salad. > > Learn it, America. All this time, your bloody maries were missing clam juice! 😃 > > Nice spicy, savoury Caesar. Chased with a beer. Great patio drinking! +1 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/24 "2011-07-05T13:12:57Z")
Before noon, Bloodies (mary or caesar). From noon to 3 pm, beer. After 3 pm, vodka on the rocks or with a splash of something bitter. In the evening, maybe a pitcher of Beer-Ritas. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/25 "2011-07-05T13:23:22Z")
We too have been enjoying a lot more Bloody Marys this summer for some reason. ZingZang and Titos has been workin’ well for us. I’ve switched to New Amsterdam for G&Ts. Lighter on the botanicals than Tanqueray. That and a handy lime tree make it the refresher of choice. Margarita’s of course. Switched from Anejos to Silvers so as to get away from the oakiness. That and a less sweet mix has done us right. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/26 "2011-07-05T14:00:08Z")
Sangria. Made some yesterday to go with the 4th of July BBQ ribs. 2 Mags of decent red wine, 3/4 cup o’ triple sec, juice of 3 oranges and 4 lemons, cut up a couple more lemons and oranges and toss em in. Frozen pint glass full of ice. Perfect. Or the good old G&T. Or Firefly sweet tea vodka, club soda and lemonade. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/27 "2011-07-05T14:11:41Z")
The obvious answer would be a Mint Julep, but I’m not going to say that. I almost always go for a Gimlet when it’s super hot, and at others, I go for what may very well be my favorite cocktail of all time, the Old Fashioned. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/28 "2011-07-05T15:02:12Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Sangria. That reminds me, I had some fantastic white sangria the other day. Yummy! ---
**Author:** ![apollonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@apollonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/apollonia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/29 "2011-07-05T15:18:36Z")
Sangria, baby. With an orchard floating in it. Or a Rickard’s White if I’m in the mood for beer. For cocktails, sweet tea vodka and lemonade with plenty of ice, maybe a twist of lime. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/30 "2011-07-05T15:58:05Z")
> [@Charley](#): > > Pimm’s. Huge great jug of Pimm’s made the proper way, with half a produce stand floating in it. Begin to serve the second the sun appears in late spring, and continue till Autumn. (Followed by a brief pause, until Winter Pimm’s time in December). Slight touch of alcohol to make it grown-up, but tastes more like a soft drink than most ‘proper’ drinks. > > This year, having timed my pregnancy so badly, I’m yet to experience the first Pimm’s of the year, but I’ve discovered the Virgin Mojito, which has been a beautiful substitute. I’ve been reading a lot about Pimm’s lately, always wanted to give it a try. Can you describe the taste? Is it sweet or fruity? I like gin and tonic, a glass of pinot grigio, or beer. I don’t drink much any more, but those would be my three top choices. ---
**Author:** ![Charley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charley)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/31 "2011-07-05T17:07:53Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I’ve been reading a lot about Pimm’s lately, always wanted to give it a try. Can you describe the taste? Is it sweet or fruity? Reasonably both, I’d say, but not in the class of something like an alcopop (do you have those in the US?). There’s a bit of a complexity from the herbs, touch of orangey, bit of non-specific fruit - it’s not completely unlike something like martini/cinzano rosso, if you ever came across either of them in the 70s/80s. The Pimm’s that’s available in the summer is No. 1 Cup (there were others, but most not available any more) which is gin-based, but you can’t really taste the gin itself. I wouldn’t consider drinking it unless diluted with lemonade - the clear, fizzy stuff, more like Sprite or 7-UP - and the aforementioned fruit/veg bits. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/32 "2011-07-05T17:20:41Z")
Margarita, frozen, no salt. One of my sisters got me started on them when I spent the first week of August with her and her husband; they kept a margarita bucket in their freezer. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/33 "2011-07-05T17:51:59Z")
before noon: mimosas (good orange juice, middling champaign) noon to five: leinenkugel summer shandy five onward: tanqueray or tanqueray 10 gin, schwepps tonic water, extra lime. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/34 "2011-07-05T19:21:45Z")
Caipirinha - the national drink of Brazil. I don’t know why this hasn’t caught on, at least as a trendy drink. After a hot day on the beach you can’t beat one. (Except with another one.) > **[Caipirinha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caipirinha)** > > Caipirinha (Portuguese pronunciation: \[kajpiˈɾĩɲɐ\]) is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça (sugarcane hard liquor), sugar, and lime. The drink is prepared by mixing the fruit and the sugar together, then adding the liquor. This can be made in a single large glass to be shared among people, or in a larger jar, from which it is served in individual glasses. > Although the origin of the drink is unknown, it is a consensus in the academic community that Caipirinha was invented in the interio... ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/35 "2011-07-05T19:35:38Z")
I know there have to be people out there who like me only want a little alcohol in their drinks, so: Sangria Ingredients: One orange one lemon one lime 1-2 cups of your preferred red wine Club soda 1 cup sugar 1 cup water Slice the fruit up and place in a bowl. Boil sugar and water then pour over the fruit. Refrigerate for 4-24 hours. Pour fruit + 1 cup of the sugar water into a pitcher. Add 1-2 cups of wine, it’s up to you how much you want. I usually use one cup only because I like it very mild. Add 1 or 2 bottles of seltzer. Stir, chill, and you have a very refreshing summer drink with just a hint of alcohol in it. I, who barely have a drink a month, find myself drinking a glass of this stuff a day. Lovely. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/36 "2011-07-05T22:00:44Z")
MMMM…Sangria! I loves me some sangria, but I gotta be careful with it. Last time I got blotto on sangria, I woke up some days later, in Costa Rica, married to a donkey. The local priest kindly annuled the marriage. I’m fond of Budweiser American Ale for an everyday beer. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/37 "2011-07-05T22:06:09Z")
Newcastle Samuel Adams Summer Ale ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/38 "2011-07-05T23:20:06Z")
Gin and tonic or vodka and tonic in a tall glass with plenty of ice and a slice of lime. Or, if I’ve done something like mow the lawn, a cold “sex in a canoe” lager (thanks to the above poster who called it that) with some lime cordial in the bottom of the glass. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/39 "2011-07-05T23:52:05Z")
Gin and Tonic with a good ten drops of bitters. For anyone who answered G&T, next time try one with a little bitters, it adds a refreshing spicy taste. I can’t get enough of it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876/40 "2011-07-06T00:00:09Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, that’s basically what’s called a “Radler” and is very similar to the English “Shandy.” In fact, I’m not really sure there’s any difference between the two. Isn’t a Radler made with beer and lemonade, not beer and carbonated, lemon flavored soft drink? I had my first Radler in Bavaria, and they are wonderful. Real German beer made into real Radlers. For me, I go with Sauv Blanc for wine, and if I want an actual alcoholic drink, a Mojito. Muddled, not shaken or stirred! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-summertime-libations/587876.md?page=3)