The beach is always a great option, but a pool is a haven for those that want an easier solution to cool down. One where there’s no sand to constantly brush off all the parts of your body, no three-hour drive or train ride, and no public bathrooms. It's also an extremely fun place to have an adult beverage, preferably enjoyed with your feet in the water. It’s also a great opportunity to switch up your habitual beer or wine for a refreshing cocktail.
If this sounds right up your alley then stick around because we’re covering the perfect poolside pairings for your next hot summer pool day!
Piña Coladas
Starting off with a classic, the Piña Colada is widely considered a summer poolside staple! Created in 1954 by a bartender at the Caribe Hilton, in San Juan, it mixes rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. The drink was such a crowd-pleaser that a little over 20 years later, in 1978, the piña colada was declared the official beverage of Puerto Rico.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol's origins may be traced back to Padua, Italy. In 1919, the aperitivo, a thirst-quenching beverage served before supper, was invented. It was the ideal choice for pre-dinner sipping because of its bittersweet flavor, fragrant botanicals, and low alcohol concentration (just 11% ABV).
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more delightful and thirst-quenching drink than Aperol with sparkling wine and sparkling water. While it is commonly served before dinner, you can start drinking early and still make it to supper because of its low alcohol content.
This drink is a true fan favorite that has only grown in popularity in the past couple of years. Its orange tinge perfectly emulates and captures a summer sunset in a cocktail, perfect for bringing a bit of a beachy feel to your poolside lounging.
Mai Tais
Hailing from America’s 50th state, the Mai Tai encapsulates the aloha spirit in a drink. It was first served in 1953 at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki. This version went on to win the 2017 Reader’s Choice Award awarded by Hawaii Magazine. This drink combines dark rum, light rum, orange curação, orange juice, lime juice, and orgeat for the perfect refreshing, tropical drink.
Margarita
Another classic, margaritas are a drink you can enjoy during the whole year. That being said, it’s a perfect choice for cooling down on a hot summer’s day. It’s not quite clear who came up with this drink and there are multiple different places that still debate over claiming the ownership of the beverage.
Regardless, it is widely believed that it was developed by Hussong’s Cantina in Ensenada back in 1941. The establishment claims full credit by dubbing itself “Home of the Original Margarita”. While the origin might still be uncertain, we do know that the first frozen margarita machine was created in 1971 by Mariano Martinez, a restaurateur inspired by the 7-eleven Slurpee machines.
If you’re looking to recreate this frozen beverage at home you can do so by crushing ice in a blender or using frozen lemonade that already has the ice ground up.
Rum Runner
Add Ernest Hemingway, Key West's most famous resident, to your summer reading list to turn your pool float into a floating library. However, after a few Rum Runners, staying up long enough to finish A Farewell to Arms may be tough.
Rum Runners, like many other drinks, were created in the 1950s. This holiday favorite is credited to the Holiday Isle Tiki Bar in Islamorada, Florida.
It contains rum, banana liqueur, and grenadine, as do many tropical cocktails. It also incorporates blackberry liqueur, which is far less frequent but provides a depth of taste and even a tannic note
Martini
Highly popularized by 007, Martinis are one of the most popular mixed drinks among non-fictional persons as well. Many variants, however, borrow the term "martini" from the martini serving glass, rather than the traditional mix of 2:1 gin and dry vermouth.
But the Martini is one of the most personal cocktail orders you can have. Almost every drinker has a distinct preference on how it should be prepared. Even if you adhere to the original gin-and-vermouth mix, you may modify the classic cocktail with a variety of gins, garnishes, and even alternative gin-to-vermouth ratios. Then there are the big surprises: substituting different alcohol for the gin or even the vermouth, or adding entirely new tastes.
While it might not be the most obvious choice for a poolside cocktail, if you’re not a fan of the more fruity options that are a more common poolside choice, a chilled martini can prove a great option for you.
Sangria
There is evidence that traces sangria all the way back to Roman times, but the popular modern day version of the fruity wine drink originated in Spain. It only became a more well-known drink in America in 1964 after its debut at the World’s Fair.
If you’re a wine lover then sangria is a great option for you. The classic version of the drink mixes red wine and fruit, typically apple and orange but it is highly versatile. There are plenty of different sangria recipes out there that swap out one style of wine for another or feature other types of fruits, depending on your preference.
Bloody Mary
With plenty of mystery surrounding its origins, the Bloody Mary has multiple contentious claims regarding who first developed the drink and where the name stems from. However, not knowing where it came from doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It is made with a tomato juice base and the original recipe is believed to also take vodka, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, celery salt, Tabasco, and lemon juice.
If you’re looking for a hangover-friendly drink, while the bloody mary does have its reputation in curing drink-induced ailments, you might want to go for a non-alcoholic version for a more effective option. The sober version of the Bloody Mary can provide electrolytes, water, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6, which can all help with a hangover.
For your hangover kit, in case the sun is getting in your way, check out our Slouchy Hooded Sweater Cover-Up Tunic. It features a hood that can protect your head from any unwanted attention and keep you out of the sun.
Mimosa
Normally a brunch staple at any time of the year, the Mimosa is a great option for those that want something fruity but simple. It gets its name from the bright yellow mimosa flower and features champagne and orange juice. This mix makes this cocktail the perfect option for classier situations as well, such as a pool party luncheon or a tea party by the pool. It is said that it first came about in 1925 at the Ritz Hotel in Paris by the hand of bartender Frank Meier.
Picture it: you’re laying by the pool in your La Blanca Isla Del Sol Multi-Strap Cross-Back One Piece and a perfectly matching and refreshing mimosa in your hand. What else could you ask for?
Mojito
The Mojito is arguably one of the most famous rum cocktails out there. The mojito is composed of rum, lime, mint, club soda, and sugar, and is served over ice. This mix creates a fresh and light drink that tastes great while sitting by a pool.
Because it requires muddled mint, the Mojito takes a little longer to make than other drinks, but the end product is well worth the effort. The minty flavor adds an extra dose of refreshments that can be enjoyed at any time of year.
Daiquiri
An American mining engineer named Jennings Cox is said to have created the Daiquiri in 1898 in the namesake mining town of Daiquiri on the southeastern coast of Cuba. A decade later, when a U.S. Navy medical officer carried the recipe from Cuba to Washington, D.C., it was first served in the United States.
Over the years, this three-ingredient present has thrilled millions of palates, including renowned names like Ernest Hemingway and President John F. Kennedy.
The Daiquiri is simple and magnificent in its simplest form, like many of the cocktails we’ve seen, it is a delicate combination of rum's sweetness with the raw freshness of sugar and lime juice. Even if each ingredient is of the best quality, the Daiquiri might throw you a curve.
If you use an extremely sweet rum or too much sugar, the cocktail can quickly taste like straight-up candy; if you are too heavy-handed on the citrus, the cocktail can easily become an overwhelming pool of acidity.
Cheers!
We’re confident any one of these drinks will be an amazing option to help you cool down on a warm summer day by the pool.
Take a look at the styles on the La Blanca website, and shop for your new poolside swimsuit and cover-up. You’ll be poolside looking stylish and sipping on drinks in no time!
Sources:
Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe | Liquor.com