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Cocktails Outdoors

The famous turn-of-the-century bartender Professor Jerry Thomas first talked about Cocktails and Crustas in 1862 as a popular refreshment to accompany "fishing and other sporting parties…and good in the morning as a tonic". His Bottled Cocktail recipe prescribed filling a bottle with two parts brandy, one part water plus two ounces of bitters, an ounce of simple syrup and a half ounce of Curacao. Thomas understood that bulk recipes that are not shaken with or stirred with ice need water content to mellow the flavor and so he included water in the recipe. The bottled cocktail was chilled "in the field" by simply tossing it in the trout stream.

Now I have nothing against having a swig or two while fishing but anglers beware: Strong spirits in the hot sun are not advisable. After knocking back a couple of those babies and you'd be wetter than the fish! Standard cocktails like martins and daiquiris are not suitable for picnics but there are some cocktails that can be altered to create a punch/cocktail version with less alcohol and there are also some wonderful punches with moderate alcohol content that would be perfect for a picnic or outdoor gathering.

First you need a gallon sized picnic thermos bottle with the push button dispenser. You'll also need some good batch recipes- that "travel" well. And you'll also need to take into account the ice melt factor. When preparing drinks in bulk, agitate them with ice in order to add the necessary water content to mellow the drink, then remove the ice. Right before you leave, add two cups of large ice cubes to the thermos. Just prior to serving, give the thermos a good shake and it will give the drink some life and effervescence.

Here's an idea for a Cosmopolitan Punch: Mix one part fresh lime juice, four parts cranberry juice and two parts simple syrup* together to create a cranberry flavored limeade. Then add a little citrus vodka to give it some zip. Serve it from your large picnic thermos jug. Garnish each individual drink with an orange slice. Follow the instructions above and before leaving the house put two cups of large ice cubes into the jug and the punch will stay nicely chilled for several hours. The slight dilution from the slowly melting cubes will only make it taste better.

There is plenty of fresh mint around this time of year-- perfect for juleps, and I'm not talking about just the traditional Mint Julep. Here's a recipe for a lighter style julep that makes an ideal picnic punch:

GRAPEFRUIT JULEP*

One part vodka
Half a part honey syrup
Half a part simple syrup (equal, parts of sugar and water dissolved together)
Half a part fresh lime juice (for a sweeter drink use a bit less)
One and a half parts fresh Florida Grapefruit juice
One part Pomegranate juice
Fresh mint

Make the punch a few hours in advance of the party. Put the mint leavers in the container that you're preparing the drink in and bruise them with a wooden spoon or muddler then assemble the ingredients and stir well. When leaving for the picnic remove the mint leaves and pour the punch into you picnic thermos. Add two cups of very cold dense large ice cubes, like the kind that a home fridge makes. Screw the top on the thermos and shake vigorously. Serve over ice and garnish with the mint sprigs. (Store the mint in a jar of water with ice cubes in it and it will remain springy and fresh.

Another idea for a summer picnic is a great rum punch. There are spicy rums with such big flavor that they have a real impact on the drink even when used in moderation. Rums mix well together and most rum punches include more than one type rum.

PLANTERS PUNCH* (Serves 12)

8 ounces Dark spicy Rum like Myers's
8 ounces Light Rum
6 ounces Orange Curacao
16 ounces Fresh Orange Juice
16 ounces Pineapple Juice
3 ounces Simple Syrup
6 ounces Taylor's Velvet Falernum (if unavailable use all simple syrup)
6 ounces Fresh Lime Juice
4 ounces of Grenadine
1 tablespoon Angostura Bitters

Mix all ingredients together in a large container. When leaving for the picnic pour the punch into you picnic thermos. Add two cups of very cold dense large ice cubes, like the kind that a home fridge makes and shake the thermos well. Serve over ice and garnish with pineapple orange and lime slices. Always consume spirits in moderation and that holds especially true for outdoor events that involve swimming and other outdoor activities.