The start of the summer is upon us and you know what that means: time to bust out the linen shirts and chancletas for daytime debauchery. However you don’t want to be that guy who is wasted before the BBQ or brunch are done. We put together some tips to keep your summer daytime drinking sane yet still fun.
Daytime Drinking at the Baseball Game
Beer is always a good choice while watching pelota, whether you’re behind home plate or parked on your boy’s couch. As long as you’re not pounding ‘em back, you should be able to maintain a nice buzz from start to finish. If you’re at a stadium, you’re pretty much at the mercy of the vendors and their exorbitant prices. However, most stadiums have stepped their game up lately, serving local craft beers to please more demanding palates. If you’re willing your team to victory from your Lay-Z boy, we recommend the following beers to wash down your nachos and brats: Blue Point Toasted Lager, Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale and Troegs Sunshine Pils.
Daytime Drinking at the Beach
Nothing says summer like going to la playa. Bikinis, drinks and sand in unmentionable places are all but guaranteed. When it comes to partaking at the beach it really is best to keep things light. The hot sun and alcohol are like Jay-Z and Solange in an elevator – mortal enemies. With that in mind, take a long, leisurely sip of the classic Gin and Tonic. Light and effervescent, the G & T is a great drink for a summer day. For a fun twist, we recommend Bombay Sapphire East that uses Lemongrass for a refreshing citrus kick.
Daytime Drinking at the Barbecue
Meat, perfectly marinated grilling on the fire? Check? Music blanketing the lazy summer air with jams from back in the day? Check. Family and friends gathered asking every five minutes if the food’s ready? Double check. In those moments of meat-induced bliss, be sure to have a Dark and Stormy on hand. Made with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer, this drink has a sweet and spicy kick that’s satisfying and goes well with smoky meats. We also recommend Samuel Adams Summer Ale, which somehow manages to capture the essence of summer and bottle it.
Daytime Drinking at the Brunch
Ah brunch, the greatest meal of the day – not too heavy, not too light and accentuated by bottomless alcohol. However, just like the baseball stadium you’re at the whim of your chosen establishment which means you’ll be choose between beer, Mimosas, Screwdrivers and Bloody Marys. If you’re looking to be functional the rest of the day, we suggest sticking to mimosas or beer. If you’re trying to shut it down early, go for the vodka-heavy screwdriver. Now if you’re recovering from last night’s shenanigans, try the Bloody Mary. If vodkas’ not your thing, see if the bartender would be so kind to hook you up with a Bloody Maria, heavy on the tequila.
Daytime Drinking at the Domino Game
It’s tempting to whip out the El Presidentes, Negra Modelos or Coronas for those marathon domino sessions. But for a game as intense as bones, you want a drink that can go the distance. For those long summer nights on the stoop, we suggest the John Collins. Cousin of Tom, John swaps out the gin for whiskey or bourbon, creating a drink perfect for listening to Celia Cruz or Tito Puente and playing bones well into the night.
Photo Credits:
Man holding beer- ©istockphoto.com/Layfs Photo
BBQ Grill- ©istockphoto.com/KeenStreet
Glasses of orange juice- ©istockphoto.com/Cibreo Editors