It's Sippin’ Season Y'all

Patio Sitting, Front Porch Swinging, Deck Lounging, Lanai Weather

It is finally summer break around here and I am ready for it! I still get that anticipation, and excitement about summertime just like when I was a kid. Do you remember the end of the school year when the sun was coming out and you could wear shorts and sandals to school, staring longingly out the classroom window just waiting for that last school bell to ring? I still feel that especially being an instructor and getting to live that summer break life. I highly recommend it as an adult.

Summertime is when I fully recharge from the year. I figured out years ago that I am not someone who can go, go, go all the time. I will hit a wall and lose my mind if I do not give myself battery charging time. During the year I give myself permission to take one day a week that I don’t have to do anything. If I stay in jammies all day on the couch so be it. I also need a little me time first thing in the morning. This can be as simple as being up before everyone and enjoying some coffee in the quiet. Just don’t talk to me right as I get out of bed. I’m an introvert/extrovert, homebody, that loves nothing more than being in my home doing little projects or just reading most of the day, and then having my loved ones join me in the evening. But, I live a mostly extroverted lifestyle during the school year, and my batteries run really low by June. I am forever grateful to have the privilege of having an adult summer break.

What is it about summer that makes me so happy? It’s long days, warm weather, relaxation, hiking, backpacking, grilling, flowers, gardening, and fresh herbs, it’s the sun y’all! I don’t know if it was because I was born and lived in a hot climate for the first 4 years of my life, but my body was not cut out to be cold. I can barely get through the grocery store without losing feeling in my fingers and toes from being cold, I also have poor circulation and Reynaud’s, but that’s beside the point! As I sit here writing, I had to go put socks on and my fingertips are losing feeling because I’m freezing, my house is currently 70 and I am wearing a sweater and leggings. I live for warm weather 75-80 degrees is my ideal. 

But back to what makes me happy about summer, right after the warm sun that melts all the cold from my veins, is sitting outside in the sunshine on the deck, the back patio, but mostly it’s evenings out on our front patio with my hubby listening to music that fills our souls and sippin’ on something delicious!

What you sip does not have to be some booze-forward concoction, although there is a place for that kind of drink. Especially if you are sippin’ in the afternoon and want to make it to a normal bedtime…sometimes all you need is a special glass, some fun ice, a nice garnish and it makes whatever you decide to sip a fun time. You can go completely NA, there are great herbal replications out there for Campari, amaro, and all the liquors, some are better than others so play around. They are often the same price as alcohol so they won’t save you money, but will give you the feeling without the buzz. Another thing I do is little tricks that lower the alcohol content. For an Aperol spritz you can sub NA sparkling wine, the non-alcoholic sparkling and white wines are pretty decent, and in a spritz, you won’t notice the difference at all. Whatever you sip, have fun, enjoy your people, get some much-needed vitamin D responsibly, and give yourself some you time!

Here’s a little playlist I put together for inspiration, and some of my favorite sun-drenched sippin’ drinks:

What I’m listening to….

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoBIf_qqexoTRBoyF1o9gzf51TtuwO9nX&si=HwuqTO4FgIXj8o7z

What I’m sippin’...

G & T (gin and tonic) - this variation on a classic was introduced to me by my friend Kären…the addition of the bergamot gives it a lovely floral and citrus pairing.

1 ½ ounce gin, my favorites: Botanist, Hendricks, Uncle Val’s, I like something botanical and juniper forward

½ ounce Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto

2 ounces tonic water, I prefer Betty Buzz or Fever Tree

Combine over ice, and garnish with lime, green olives and/or martini onion

Aperol Spritz

2 ounces Aperol (or Wilfred’s NA Aperitif)

2 ounces Sparkling Wine (or NA Sparkling Wine for an NA or low-alcohol spritz)

2 ounces soda water

Combine over ice and garnish with orange

Vermouth Spritz (sub white wine, rosé or other liqueur for vermouth)

1 ounce sweet Vermouth

1 ounce soda water

Serve over ice and garnish with green olives

Last but not least, you cannot go wrong with a simple glass of rosé, white wine on ice, or a simple soda water and tonic with a slice of lemon.