I’m getting reports that it’s the middle of August. I’d like to spend my remaining free time this month in one of two ways: swimming or sitting outside with a special drink and rotating cast of people I like. I’ve also been in the mood to drink less alcohol. So, we turned to friends, food experts, and CoJ readers for ideas, and here are bodega recs, easy recipes, and childhood classics…
Canned Faves
“Pentire’s Paloma tastes so fresh, I honestly can’t believe it comes out of a can. I serve it over ice, in a rocks glass. To make it extra fancy, my in-house bartender (my husband) will add a spring of whatever herb we have in the fridge.” — Katherine Lewin, Big Night founder
“I am perhaps Athletic Brewing’s best customer. Free Wave is my favorite.” — Chris Cohen, writer/editor
“On nights when we’re not drinking, my fiancé and I split an Olipop (as if it’s some kind of treat!). We pour it into these vintage amber wine glasses we found together in Philly, and it adds a little sparkle to our evening. It’s a small thing but constant. I’m partial to the apple flavor.” — Eric Kim, New York Times food columnist
“Ghia is a female-founded, non-alcoholic aperitivo that will make you feel like you’re on vacation in Italy. It’s bitter but bright, with notes of yuzu, grapefruit, and rosemary. I order the canned spritz, then pour them over ice.” — Diana, CoJ reader
“Trader Joe’s sparkling ciders give me the vibe of a cocktail. They’re very flavorful and slightly sour. Having one is my evening treat.” — Amy, CoJ reader
Easy Homemade
“I have a solution for when a watermelon falls flat when you cut into it — too watery, too mealy, too bland. Happens to the best of us! My solution is to put an immersion blender into the red flesh of the watermelon. Then, I strain out the gunk to make watermelon juice. My favorite way to season it is with salt, lime, and sumac.” — Hayley Yates, private chef
“It is my personal belief that an Arnold Palmer is the perfect beverage. I brew black iced tea in advance, then purchase a good-quality lemonade. For a party, pour iced tea and lemonade into two separate pitchers, set out a bucket of ice, and let everybody make their perfect ratio of tea to lemonade. Mine is 75%/25%.” — Katherine Lewin, Big Night founder
Childhood Classics
“Every summer day is an opportunity to hit the RBF: the glorious root beer float. My one-two punch is grabbing a bodega soda (root beer mostly, but I also dabble in Coke) and a vanilla cone from the Mister Softee truck. Most city parks are flanked by ice cream trucks this time of year, thank god.” — Hayley Yates, private chef
“My favorite summer drink experience is a spontaneous Yoo-hoo in a can. The crack of a cold Yoo-hoo on a hot day is one of the best summer sounds.” — Hannah La Follette Ryan, photographer
“It’s really hard to create a better beverage than an ice-cold Coke, right?” — Chris Cohen, writer/editor
We’d love to hear: What’s your go-to summer drink?
P.S. “Why I decided to give up drinking,” and the best non-alcoholic beer: a taste test.
(Sunset photo from Cornwall, England, where my aunt lives.)
