The Definitive Guide to the Quiet World of Salt Water New England.     Photo by Muffy Aldrich

Monday, May 17, 2021

Reader Question: Favorite Poolside Drink for Guests

 

Hi Muffy,

Yesterday's post begs the most important question of all for readers.  What is your favorite poolside drink to serve to your guests?

 

32 comments:

  1. John E.May 17, 2021 at 4:28 PM

    I don't have my own pool around which to host guests, but I used to enjoy a vodka gimlet with a splash of club soda poolside at my old country club. They made theirs with Rose's sweetened lime juice, perfectly fine for guzzling out of a plastic cup and chatting with the crowd at the pool bar. But I use fresh-squeezed lime juice and homemade simple syrup when I make mine at home, and no soda.

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  2. andrewMay 17, 2021 at 4:28 PM

    The Arnold Palmer. Added bonus: if you have the makings of a good Arnold Palmer, you can satisfy the lemonade or iced tea crowd too.

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  3. AnonymousMay 17, 2021 at 4:29 PM

    Mai tai for Hawaii Pina Colada for Caribbean and Palm Beach.

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  4. Vecchio VespaMay 17, 2021 at 4:34 PM

    Whatever they like. I enjoy bar tending!

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  5. AnonymousMay 17, 2021 at 7:50 PM

    I'll stay with my classic preppy drink, G & T's.

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  6. Heather EusdenMay 17, 2021 at 9:36 PM

    Whatever our guests wish or a Pimm’s cup. Its nice to have a variety of fruity drinks alcoholic or non. The most important thing is to make everyone feel welcome and relaxed. Great quote from Emily Post “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness you have good manners no matter what fork you use.” Or in some cases “Hospitality is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were.Anon

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    1. MaineWaspMay 19, 2021 at 1:50 PM

      I love that quote. I think it's important to be a 'good guest'; don't ask for something outrageous. A good host/hostess will have the basics: bourbon, gin, vodka etc.

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    2. SesquicentMay 19, 2021 at 5:07 PM

      Bully, Bully for Maine Wasp!
      Common decency requires that one should ALWAYS be a 'good guest.' There is always a certain amount of stress in hosting. Good guests should remember that fact. Something else: When one is being taken to dinner, one should remember who is paying and NOT order the most expensive item on the menu...something equivalent to what the host ordered is appropriate. Many years ago, I took my contracts law professor to dinner (along with my parents) to celebrate my first paycheck as a lawyer. He refused 2 bottles of expensive cabernet sauvignon before accepting the third bottle. I never invited him to dinner again.

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  7. RadicalConformistMay 17, 2021 at 9:38 PM

    A light local (or Belgian import) beer.

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  8. anonymousMay 17, 2021 at 10:02 PM

    Pimm's Cup - light and refreshing

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    1. SartreskyMay 18, 2021 at 10:23 AM

      So happy to see several votes for Pimms Cup.

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  9. AnonymousMay 17, 2021 at 11:02 PM

    Mineral water with a squeeze of lemon.

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  10. AnonymousMay 18, 2021 at 8:09 AM

    G & T'S all the way! Thank you so much!

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  11. AnonymousMay 18, 2021 at 8:20 AM

    I have transition from G&T's to Gin Rickey's. It's not as preppy but much less sweet and lower in carbs.

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    1. BitsyMay 18, 2021 at 8:25 PM

      Try Q tonic water with your G&T -- it's barely sweet at all.

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    2. andrewMay 19, 2021 at 5:01 PM

      Fever Tree Light Indian tonic water has less than half the calories of regular-strength tonic, but no artificial sweeteners - less sweet and a milder quinine taste. Worth trying if regular-strength tonic seems too sweet, or if you feel full strength overpowers the gin.

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    3. Big CatMay 22, 2021 at 8:49 AM

      The Q products are outstanding. Their club soda makes the popular brand taste like an old gym sock left in your bag.

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  12. WyndWaterMay 18, 2021 at 8:29 AM

    I second an Arnold Palmer. Also, how about a Dark & Stormy?!?!

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  13. TwistyTreeMay 18, 2021 at 9:11 AM

    If I'm drinking at all, it would have to be a G&T...with no consideration for whether it's "preppy" or not! I've been trying out some lovely Scottish gins, too, since Covid lockdown. My winter tipple would be a wee dram of good single malt.

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  14. AnonymousMay 18, 2021 at 9:19 AM

    Lately I'm enjoying Negronis, but Arnold Palmer's are delightful.

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    1. Vecchio VespaMay 18, 2021 at 10:45 AM

      I have always loved the Negroni, but IME one is insufficient and two is often a mistake. I have learned to shift to a tall and light Campari or Aperol and soda with an orange wheel for any second drink.

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    2. ESSMay 22, 2021 at 8:15 AM

      I too love Negronis and many of the variations on this classic, such as the Americano, which leaves out the gin, but retains the Campari and whatever sort of Vermouth or aperitif you like. One has to be careful with the Negroni, as you say. A friend of mine calls the third Negroni "The Fool's Negroni."

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  15. JamalMay 18, 2021 at 12:54 PM

    Jagermeister and roofies

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  16. AnonymousMay 18, 2021 at 1:07 PM

    Turmeric, ginger and cayenne shot with alkaline water chaser.

    I'm at that age where I tell friends and family that "age is just a number for government records". In reality, I'm doing everything holistically to sustain a healthy lifestyle and looking fit.

    With business associates and clients, it's usually Johnny Black. Neat and unpretentious.

    When I'm Asia, hosts will usually insist on Suntory Yamazaki 12 or Hakushu 12. I wonder if Heavy Tweed Jacket keeps a few bottles of these fine whiskey brands.

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  17. AnonymousMay 18, 2021 at 1:26 PM

    Dark 'n Stormies all 'round.

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  18. Stephanie BellMay 18, 2021 at 5:09 PM

    Dark & Stormies but, if you don't have the necessary ingredients for those, then G&Ts!

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  19. StumWarsMay 18, 2021 at 5:51 PM

    Cape Codder or a Cape Cod Cherry Soda (which I first had at the Lobster Pot in Provincetown).

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  20. MaineWaspMay 19, 2021 at 1:57 PM

    It's always nice to have good booze on hand with the basics but I do a signature cocktail upon arrival to put anyone at ease. I like to do fresh-squeezed lemons and make Gin & Lemonade or fresh squeezed orange juice with a good vodka( I like Twenty2 Vodka, made in Maine) or anything refreshing on a hot New England day.
    I don't know if The Castine Inn in Maine still does fresh-squeezed blood orange and Vodka but they are to die for.

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  21. AnonymousMay 22, 2021 at 4:57 PM

    We just made up a drink (possible not that original) and have found it delicious. We call it the Jean Shaheen. Named, I believe, after a NH politician. It's seltzer water, Massachusetts cranberry juice, crushed ice, and two lemon wedges: one for the bottom of the glass, the other split for the rim. It's an incredibly refreshing mocktail to be enjoyed after mowing the lawn and listening to your favorite losing baseball team. Oh, and it's good for kids too.

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  22. UnknownMay 26, 2021 at 2:45 PM

    Planter's Punch [h/t to The Crab Hole at Chappaquiddick Beach Club...]

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