OUR FAVORITE SUMMER DRINK
It’s a big weekend! Father’s day and the first day of Summer all in one! Summer officially begins on June 20th around 11pm in the Northern Hemisphere. This marks the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. After June 20th, the amount of daylight slowly begins to decrease until we reach the shortest day of the year on December 21st. So, enjoy the long days while you can!
In honor of the first day of Summer, we are sharing our favorite Summer inspired drink. The crisp, natural flavors remind us of the outdoors, and it “hits the spot” when temperatures begin to soar. It is a modern twist to a classic American beverage. It is simple, yet totally overlooked.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 glass of fresh squeezed lemonade
- 1/2 glass of home-brewed iced tea
- 1 dram of Irish Whiskey or Kentucky Bourbon
PREPARATION:
For 1 Pitcher of Fresh Squeezed Lemonade:
- Make a simple syrup. Add sugar and 2 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Juice about 6 lemons.
- Combine syrup and lemon juice. Add more water, to taste, until you reach your desired lemonade sweetness.
- Chill.
For 1 Pitcher of Home-brewed Iced Tea:
- In a small saucepan, bring ]2-1/4 cups water to a gentle boil. Add 6 bags of plain black tea, remove the saucepan from the heat, and cover. Steep for 15 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags without squeezing them (which would add bitterness) and pour the steeped tea into a 2-1/2-quart heatproof container (like a large Pyrex liquid measure). Add the 6 cups cold water and mix. Let cool at room temperature and then refrigerate until cold.
Grab a glass. Fill it half full with lemonade, then fill the rest with iced tea. Lastly, top it off with a dram of Irish Whiskey or Kentucky Bourbon.
Without the whiskey, these ingredients make what is commonly referred to as an Arnold Palmer, or Arnie Palmer, named after the great American golfer who would regularly request this combination, and is credited with the creation of lemonade and iced tea. An Arnold Palmer with vodka is referred to as a John Daly, named after another golfer known for his love of libations. Arnold Palmers and John Dalys are well known drinks among bartenders, but for some reason, whiskey in an Arnold Palmer is not a common menu item. We feel strongly that it should be. Whiskey adds a smokiness that perfectly compliments the other flavors. Unlike vodka, which is added less for its flavor and more for its intoxicating qualities. The sweet lemonade, the earthy tea and the smoky whiskey are a delightful combination any outdoor enthusiast can appreciate.
We call it, “The Happy Camper”. It can also be referred to as a Whiskey Palmer, Bourbon Palmer, Happy Palmer, Dirty Palmer, or a Dirty Nerty. Let us know if you have any other good names for it.
We hope you enjoy responsibly.
