3 Classy Cocktails for your August Dinners

Hattiesburg, MS

Selecting the perfect menu items for your August dinner menu includes the beverages. A classy cocktail can jazz up a meal and compliment the flavors. Whether you’re having a small gathering or a large party, multiple cocktail options can leave your guests in awe. Our friendly staff at Lincoln Rd Package Store shares three classic cocktails for your August dinner menu and invites you to visit our location at 2800 Lincoln Road, Suite A, in Hattiesburg, MS, to stock up on supplies.

1. Boat House Punch

This refreshing gin-based bubbly punch is perfect for any occasion and can serve a crowd. With hints of citrus, effervescent kick, and lively color, it’s sure to be the talk of the dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 Lemons, peeled
• ½ Cup superfine sugar
• 1-liter dry gin
• 750 mL Aperol
• 12 oz St-Germain
• 12 oz Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• 12 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 12 oz Freshly squeezed orange juice
• 750 mL Sparkling rosé
• Orange wheels for garnish

Process

1. Muddle the lemon peels with the sugar in a bowl until slightly moistened.
2. Cover and let sit for one hour or overnight so that the sugar can absorb the lemon oils.
3. Add the gin, Aperol, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and orange juice to a large pitcher or bold. Combine the lemon-sugar mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the lemon peels, add a large ice block, and finally, the sparkling rosé.
5. Garnish individual punch cups and the pitcher with orange wheels.

2. Summer Rye

A whiskey-based cocktail created for the late summer months is the Summer Rye. Boasting floral notes of white flowers, crisp apple, and a bold, spicy rye flavor, your guests will be asking for seconds.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz Sazerac rye whiskey
• ¾ oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• ¼ oz Simple syrup
• ¾ oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 oz Fuji apple juice
• Chilled champagne (about 3/4 oz)
• Apple cubes for garnish

Process

1. Combine the rye whiskey, simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and Fuji apple juice in a shaker with ice and blend until well chilled.
2. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Top with champagne.
4. Garnish with diced apple cubes.

3. Miamian’s Julep

A true bourbon treat to beat the heat is the frozen Miamian’s Julep. The combination of bourbon and mint balanced in a smooth and creamy desert-like consistency will have your visitors thinking a chef made it.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Woodinville bourbon
• 1 oz Coconut cream
• 1 oz Creme de banana
• ½ oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
• 10 Mint sprigs
• Bourbon flambeed banana slices for garnish
• Mint sprig for garnish
• Powdered sugar for garnish

Process

1. Combine the bourbon, coconut cream, creme de banana, lime juice, and mint sprigs into a blender with one cup of ice and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a copper julep mug.
3. Garnish with bourbon flambéed banana slices, a mint sprig, and powdered sugar.

Bourbon flambéed banana slices: Sautee banana slices in a pan, add a little bourbon, then ignite to burn off the alcohol. Alternatively, use a kitchen torch on sugar-coated banana slices for a more caramelized flavor.

Lincoln Road Package Store

The dinner and beverage choice can make or break an event no matter the reason for your celebration. Therefore, we encourage you to visit Lincoln Road Package Store for more beverage ideas and recipes that perfectly complement your food. Feel free to call us at (601) 268-3677 or email jamiefarris@gmail.com with questions about in-store selections and availability.