If you have been out drinking anywhere in Maryland in the last 20 years you’ll have probably tried an Orange Crush.
The drink originated at the Harborside Bar & Grill in Ocean City in the mid-1990s, and has since made its way around the state and beyond. Now it’s nearly ubiquitous at outdoor events and summer concerts in the state, and for good reason. It’s a simple drink—orange vodka, triple sec, the juice of one crushed orange and a splash of Sierra Mist—which might be exactly why it’s so popular, it’s simple, fresh and delicious.
Which is exactly what we want in a summer cocktail! Herewith, are four recipes for great summer cocktails that will make even your most socially distant evening memorable. We’ve even added a few non-alcoholic beverages for the non-partaker, or, you know, the kids.
Cocktails
The Original Harborside Orange Crush
Like we said, it’s a simple one.
2 ounces orange vodka
2 ounces triple sec
The juice of one crushed orange
Splash of Sierra Mist
Slice of orange for garnish
Fill a glass with crushed ice, pour in vodka, triple sec and orange juice, give a quick stir and top with lemon/lime soda. Finish with orange slice garnish. Enjoy.
Watermelon Mojito
For those of you who love the minty refreshing mojito, consider mixing it up with summer’s favorite fruit, watermelon!
According to this simple Food Network recipe, for a single drink:
Muddle together:
2 watermelon chunks
The juice of 1 lime
2 teaspoons sugar in each glass
Stir in a handful of mint leaves,
then add 2 ounces white rum and ice.
Top with ginger ale; garnish with more mint.
Mocktails
The best thing about a mocktail, especially for kids, is that it’s a refreshing, simple, and delicious. You don’t have to model it as an adult beverage made for kids, just a delicious drink they’ll enjoy, with or without a party.
Red, White & Blue Sangria Mocktail
It’s July, keep it colorful with this refreshing non-alcoholic sangria
Recipe by Melissa Russo; thefarmgirlgabs.com
Ingredients
64 ounces White Grape Juice
1 can lemon lime soda
1 pint Blueberries
1 quart Strawberries sliced
Instructions
Fill a large pitcher with ice
Add blueberries and sliced strawberries to the pitcher.
Carefully pour in white grape juice and lemon-lime soda.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Blue Mermaid Lemonade
Recipe by Squirrels of a Feather https://www.squirrelsofafeather.com/non-alcoholic-mermaid-lemonade/
This drink uses science and density of ingredients to make a beautiful lemonade for kids to enjoy.
Lemonade ingredients:
9 lemons
A lemon juicer
1 cup of sugar
2 cups boiling water
5 cups cold water
Simple syrup ingredients:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
Blue gel food coloring
Directions
Simple Syrup:
Bring one cup of water to a boil and add the sugar, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved in the water.
Add the food coloring as desired to make the syrup blue and stir until the food coloring is completely mixed in. Cool completely.
Lemonade:
Bring 2 cups of water to boil and add 1 cup of sugar, stirring constantly until it is dissolved. Cool completely.
Juice all of the (9) lemons; remove seeds and pulp if desired, and add all the juice to the water in a pitcher.
Once the 2 cups water + 1 cup of sugar is cooled completely, add it into the water-lemon mixture.
Make the blue lemonade:
Fill a glass ¾ full of lemonade, then slowly pour the blue syrup along the side of the glass and watch as it sinks to the bottom, creating a beautiful drink.
—Ann Levelle
