The ideal summer escape for me is heading to the river for a long float and letting the current dictate the pace of the afternoon. My getaway checklist includes sunscreen, snacks, and of course, a quick, delicious cocktail that blends into my adventure. Beating the heat and keeping cool is easy with my tried and true cocktail recipe, Carried Away. This quaffable and evolving summer sipper is guaranteed to keep you satiated from launch to lunch.
Build your drink
You’ll want to start with a 32 oz drink container that has a watertight lid, and ideally has double-wall insulation. I employ my Hydroflask for this task because I know for certain it will keep the cocktail inside, and the river water outside. Once you’ve got your thermos, load it up to the brim with large pieces of your favorite frozen fruits (mango and strawberries for me!). Add 2 oz of New Deal Pear Brandy, 1 oz of New Deal Ginger Liqueur, 1 oz of lime juice, and a whole can of your favorite flavored sparkling water. Put the whole container in the freezer for an hour at least, prior to heading out to the river.
Out on the Water
Once on site and in your tube, let the Hydroflask cruise beside you submersed right in the river water, attached to a raft via a carabiner. This keeps the drink cold and out of direct sunlight. As the day progresses, the frozen fruit will slowly start to thaw, infusing the cocktail and releasing some of the water and sugar from the fruit, which is key for staying hydrated and keeping your blood sugar in check. Once the fruit is about 50% thawed, give the whole Hydroflask a super hard shake for about 5-10 seconds, just as you would a cocktail shaker. This homogenizes the entire contents of the container, creating a near sangria-like cocktail that is now bursting with ice-cold delicious pieces of fruit that meld together harmoniously, highlighting the spice of the Ginger Liqueur and the Pear Brandy. How’s that for a river cocktail?
