Great Summer Ideas

          Memorial Day has now passed and that really means the kick off to summer, weather that means boating and spending time at the cabin, taking some well needed time at the beach or even watching kids playing sports. In everyone's lives we need some sort of convenience and sometimes wish things could be a little less complicated. There are always more products coming out to make lives easy and alcohol is no different. In the last few years I have noticed an increase in Pre mixed drinks. There are so many options and this year is no exception when it comes to it. I will let you know of a few new items and some of the popular expanding items that have come out lately.

          Malibu rum has come out with a new pre mixed pouch line. They are ideal for outdoor get togethers and occasions where ready to drink cocktails are an easier way to go. The packaging is made from a soft plastic that allows for quicker chilling and the product keeps the product fresh longer. There are three pouches available right now; Malibu rum punch, Caribbean cosmopolitan, tropical mojito. The Malibu rum punch is made with Malibu coconut rum and pineapple, banana, passion fruit, and mango flavors. The Malibu cosmopolitan is a blend of Malibu coconut, lime, orange, and cranberry flavors. The Malibu tropical mojito blends the Malibu coconut with mango, mint and kifflir lime flavors.

          There is also a fun product called cream. It is actually an alcohol infused whip cream. It is actually 30 proof and can be used in everything from a topping in coffee to using it on top of your favorite martini. There are actually many uses besides those. Try adding it to the top of your favorite dessert. It comes in a mixture of flavors; it comes in raspberry, cherry, orange, caramel, chocolate, and vanilla. Each can make approximately 26 1oz shots. When using this product be sure to shake the can very well and hold the can completely downward when using. It should also stay room temperature.

          One of my favorite fun and summery ready to drinks are defiantly the Daily's frozen pouches. These pouches go straight from the store if warm to the freezer. At many of our Westside Liquors we already have these frozen in the freezer for you. You get the consistency and refreshment of a frozen blender drink without any of the headache. You just rip open the top and pour the slushy cocktail into your glass or right into your mouth. There are seven wonderful flavors to try. There are frozen lemonade, frozen mojito, margarita, strawberry daiquiri, pina colada, peach daiquiri, and pomegranate margarita. So there really is a flavor for anyone. They are great going from the freezer to the cooler. If you are not a fan of frozen drinks I would recommend the Daily's cocktails in the box. These are just meant to cool and drink instead of freezing the product. It comes in a convenient box and had a spout you can pour the drinks out of. These boxes come in margarita, cosmopolitan, appletini, mojito, mangotini, bloody mary and pomegranate margarita.

          One thing I have noticed this summer is the trend of low calorie margaritas. We now have the new low calorie Jose Cuervo Light lime margarita, Chi Chis came out with a new 'skinny' margarita, Margaritaville has a 'skinny' margarita and probably one of the most popular low calorie margarita would be Skinny Girl margarita by Bethenny Frankel. This particular pre mixed margarita is popular because it has been highly televised. Bethenny Frankel is a star of the reality show Real Housewives of New York City. It differs from other prepared cocktails which uses high fructose corn syrup and many different preservatives. The Skinny Girl margarita uses silver tequila, juice from real lime wedges and a tiny splash of triple sec.

          Last but not least I just want to mention is Party Star gel shots. These come in a package of 10 gel shots in a jar. It is a very convenient fun party idea for maybe a boat or on a camping trip where you don't have the convenience of home. The gel shots are 24 proof and all you need to do is peel the top, squeeze the contents and either chew or swallow. The wonderful thing about these is there is no chilling required. They come in grape, cherry, blueberry, strawberry, green apple, and orange.

          So as you are all getting ready for camping, boating, the beach, or even maybe just having a block party this summer remember there are endless options when it comes down to ready to drink cocktails. If you get a chance next time your in Westside Liquor, just check out the pre mixed aisle. You may find something that grabs your attention....