If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how to make the most of our gardens. Whether you are sitting alone enjoying some fresh air or enjoying the company of others, our gardens have become a place of relaxation and a social setting we never knew we needed so much.
With the hot weather slowly kicking in, many of us will be heading outside to soak up the sunshine. But are you making these common mistakes when enjoying a drink outdoors?
Below, master mixologist at NIO Cocktails, Patrick Pistolesi shares his top do’s and don’ts for garden day drinking.
Do’s:
Stay hydrated and ‘zebra stripe’ between alcoholic drinks
Following the '1 for 1' rule, also known as 'zebra striping', drinking one glass of water for every cocktail helps to stay hydrated in the heat and reset your taste buds, keeping them fresh and sensitive to flavours.
Use flowers from your garden for garnishing
Enhance the flavour and look of your drinks with fresh fruit, herbs, and flowers. Ingredients like lemon slices and mint, which you probably already have in your kitchen, can add vibrant decoration and flavour to your cocktails.
You can even use flowers or petals from your garden such as roses and violas as a beautiful garnish on the side of your drink, just make sure they are non-poisonous and clean, to add to the rim of the glass and avoid ingesting them directly.
Keep drinks cool with the ‘salt ice hack’ for ultimate flavour
To ensure your drinks stay refreshing and flavourful, try the 'salt ice hack'.
Use a large bucket or ice cooler and fill it with ice. Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt on top, as salt water has a lower freezing point than pure water, so the temperature of the ice inside the cooler will drop.
Stir the salted ice mixture and add your favourite drinks. The colder ice will keep your drinks chilled longer.
Prepare drinks and glasses in advance to save time
To save time and reduce stress during the day, prepare large batches of cocktails in advance. Store these pre-made drinks in a pitcher or jug in the fridge for easy serving. Also, pre-cut any fruit or garnishes you plan to use, so everything is ready for the day.
Dip ready-made cocktails in salt and tajin
Take inspiration from TikTok and add an extra kick to your ready-made cocktails by dipping the rims in salt or Tajín seasoning. Simply rub a lime or lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and then dip it in your chosen seasoning.
This simple tip will add a burst of flavour and make your drinks look even more tempting.
Don’ts:
Leave drinks in direct sunlight
Don’t place your drinks directly under the sun, as when left in direct sunlight, it can quickly warm your drinks, making them less refreshing.
UV light from the sun can also break down compounds in liquors, leading to off-flavours and colour changes. Therefore, find a shaded area to keep drinks cool and fresh.
Avoid sugary substances that can attract wasps and insects
Wasps are naturally attracted to fruit, open juices, honey, and other sweet foods. Their attraction to sugar comes from the behaviour of yellow jacket larvae, which produce a sugary substance that is consumed by worker wasps.
To avoid attracting these insects, don't leave drinks uncovered for long periods, and use covers or lids for pitchers and glasses to keep your drinks bug-free.
Skimp on ice
A drink with too little ice will quickly become diluted as the ice melts, compromising its flavour. To maintain the ideal temperature and quality of the cocktail, fill the glass generously with ice.
Larger ice cubes are particularly effective as they melt more slowly, keeping your drink colder for longer without diluting it too quickly.
Ignore the weather forecast
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast and be prepared for sudden changes, such as a downpour. If the weather is set to rain, ensure you have outdoor covering or an area prepared to move inside.