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summer punches

Summer Punches

Summer is the time when we soak up the sun outdoors and enjoy extra time with loved ones—especially with fun summer celebrations. Whether you’re planning a menu for a birthday party, a retirement celebration, or a housewarming, cocktails always liven up the party. Best of all? You can use different flavors to highlight your theme inspirations. Think tiki drinks for a Hawaiian theme, or bubbly for a slightly more refined affair.

Rather than assigning bartender duties to someone who will miss out on some of the fun, mix up these punches for your festive fete. Keep the sipping fun and responsible!

Breezy “Rum” Punch

Originally consumed by sailors as an alternative to beer, the classic rum punch has been around since the 17th century. In time, it gained popularity in mainland Britain and has been enjoyed by party-goers ever since. While our recipe doesn’t include rum, it still packs a punch. This “Rum” Punch is an easy cocktail to mix up in a batch and enjoy all afternoon.

Ingredients:

  • 2 c vodka 1 750 mL bottle La Marca Prosecco
  • 2 L bottle of lemon lime soda
  • 2 c pineapple juice
  • 2 c orange juice
  • 2 c raspberries
  • 2 c sliced strawberries
  • Fresh mint

Combine all liquid ingredients and stir carefully to fully incorporate. Add fruit to the concoction, and carefully stir again. Gently ladle into cups, then top with mint garnish. Be sure to use a container with a lid, and store on ice. Sip, sip, enjoy!

Tiki Afternoon Punch

Tiki drinks gained popularity in the early 1930s, when the man best known as Donn Beach started mixing up these delightful libations. Many of these cocktails were quite elaborate, created with 10 or more ingredients. Our Tiki Afternoon Punch is a simplified version of those classic drinks.

Ingredients:

  • 1 750 mL bottle Seagrams Vodka
  • 2 c fresh lime juice
  • 3 c pineapple juice
  • Lime wheels
  • Pineapple wheels
  • Mint
  • Maraschino cherries

In a glass beverage dispenser, combine all liquid ingredients. Stir gently to fully incorporate flavors. Add in lime wheels and pineapple wheels, and gently stir. Add ice to the concoction and cover. After dispensing into cups, garnish with mint and a Maraschino cherry.

Bubbly Punch

We love a good fizzy cocktail, especially ones that take advantage of the bright, bold flavors of a classic Prosecco. Prosecco is the Italian counterpart of your classic champagne, but it features flavors that are a bit sweeter and lighter, like honeydew and pear. The bubbles are also less aggressive—instead of being in the nose, they are light and soft. We think Prosecco is the perfect complement to a fun summer punch.

Ingredients:

  • 1 750 mL bottle Ruffino Prosecco
  • 1 c Svedka Vanilla vodka
  • 3 c pineapple juice
  • 3 c seltzer water
  • 2 c pineapple wedges
  • 2 peaches, sliced thinly
  • Ice
  • Extra pineapple wedges
  • Mint

Combine all the liquid ingredients in a large, screw top jar. Stir gently to fully incorporate. Add 2 c pineapple wedges, sliced peaches and ice, and gently stir these ingredients into the liquid mixture. Close the lid. After dispensing, top the beverage with a pineapple wedge and mint. Enjoy.

Payless Liquors has everything you need to make these fantastic summer punches. Stop in and concoct your favorite!

barrel aged rum

High-End Bourbon Barrel Aged Rums — A Summer Challenge for Whiskey Purists

Whiskey, or whisky, comes with a lot of opinions. Spirit lovers know that whiskey is a mighty beast, frequently enjoyed in the late evenings sitting around a fireplace in the dead of winter. While this may not be true for all whiskey purists, what is true is that whiskey doesn’t usually conjure up images of summer. Whiskey enthusiasts can rejoice because Bourbon Barrel Aged Rums are perfect for summer sipping.

Hear us out, everything associated with summer extravaganzas — pools, peaceful beachside homes, heaping barbecues of flavorful meat and seafood, freshly shucked corn — works better with rum. There is also no room for error. Any method you choose is acceptable, including rum on the rocks, rum punch, a fun cocktail, or even a large pour consumed neat.

Let’s look at some of the best rum out there for whiskey drinkers:

Zacapa XO

Because Zacapa rum is matured in two distinct bourbon barrels, first in bourbon barrels that had previously been uncharred, then in barrels that had been charred, it is often suggested to bourbon lovers. The whiskey tastes it formerly carried come back to life when the char level is set to #4. The flavors and fragrances of vanilla, cherry, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon all come through and increase the rum’s richness. It continues into sherry casks, which are used to mature a lot of scotch.

Diplomatico Mantuano

The Diplomatico Mantuano Extra Anejo features lots of oak and vanilla notes, as well as lovely dried fruit characteristics. Serve it straight up to convert any bourbon drinker to a rum enthusiast.

The Real McCoy 12

The Real McCoy 12-Year Aged Rum is one of the best rums you’ll ever have. The finest of both the rum and whiskey worlds are combined in this rum from Barbados without any additional sugar or coloring. The fact that it was matured for 10 years in charred American oak bourbon barrels gives it the wood and spice aromas that some of the greatest bourbons are known for. It has just enough sweetness to remind you that you’re drinking rum.

It’s perfect for bourbon drinkers who prefer a little sweetness without the syrupy mouthfeel of a mass-produced beverage.

Rhum Barbancourt 8

For fans of bourbon, Rhum Barbancourt 8 Year is a fantastic rum. It has a lot of depth and funk since it is a Rhum Agricole, and the French oak barrel aging brings out the vanilla and baking

spices that bourbon lovers like from the rickhouse. Barbancourt also finishes with a pleasant, grassy taste and has enough fire to flare up the back of your palate like good rye.

Rhum Clément 10

Rhum Clément 10 Year is the ideal rum for bourbon lovers since it tastes similar to a 10-year bourbon. To replicate bourbon, it also contains a little vanilla flavor and a rich barrel aroma.

Santa Teresa 1796

This rum has flavors of bitter chocolate, almonds, and buttery biscuits in addition to being dry, smooth, and well-balanced. Santa Teresa 1796 is rich with wood and cherry aromas, making it a good choice for whiskey drinkers.

Flor de Cana Centenario 12

This top-shelf aged rum was aged in American oak barrels for 12 years. The result is a very sophisticated, oaky rum with flavors of caramel, vanilla, and honey. It’s a rum fit for a whiskey enthusiast who enjoys patient drinking.

Find Your Favorite at Payless Liquors

Whiskey drinkers needn’t throw out their brew, but rum gives them the option of a complex flavor that’s more suited for summer, especially with the higher-end Bourbon Barrel Aged Rums. Check out our full catalog of rum, and find your new favorite today

summer music festivals

Best Drinks for Enjoying Your Favorite Summer Music Festival

Summer is synonymous with music festivals. Whether you’re attending something more bluegrass-focused or a genre with more kick, sprucing up your festival experience with libations is an important decision that you want to get right. From beer to liquor and wine, here are some pairings for your festival experience to suit the vibe.

Lightning Bug Music Festival

The Lightning Bug Music Festival brings beauty, nature, and music together in a weekend-long bluegrass extravaganza. If you’re interested in suiting the ambiance of the venue, there are a few different options you can explore:

● Whiskey. With some of bluegrass’s origins in the Appalachian Mountains, moonshine can be a great addition to your festival journey. While authentic moonshine can’t be found legally, whiskey can certainly do the trick. Maker’s Mark is an excellent option for Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky. For an earthier and more complex flavor, look for our Rittenhouse Whiskey or Bulleit Rye.

● Beer. Beer is a versatile option that can be enjoyed at any time, and the right variety can complement the atmosphere of a bluegrass festival. Abita’s Andygator features a light and crisp mouthfeel and grassy tasting notes. Saison’s are great seasonal choices for your festival needs. Snag a Saison Dupont to really capture those end-of-summer vibes.

● Cider. If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, give the cider a try. Ace Apple Cider features a clean finish and dark honey notes, while Crispin’s The Saint shows off a sweeter finish with just a touch of tartness.

Riot Fest

Riot Fest is another area favorite with a nostalgic lineup as well as up-and-comers. This year’s lineup promises to be a riot, so you want the drinks to go with the fun. Try these options for your Riot Fest experience:

● Vodka. Vodka is a great choice due to its versatility and fairly neutral flavor. You can mix it with just about anything to your taste, whether that’s juice or something with carbonation, and you can enjoy it responsibly all day long. Try our Indiana Vodka Honey Lemon for an interesting twist or stick with your favorite brand.

● Tequila. Nothing amps up a shindig like tequila. From a traditional Margarita to the bright flavors of a Paloma, nothing screams fun quite like tequila. Whether you’re a reposado lover or prefer the more aged Anejo tequilas, Payless Liquors has something for everyone. Try the Cazadores reposado or stick to Patron in a variety of ages and flavors.

● Ready-to-drink cocktails. Cocktails are excellent, but a cocktail that’s already prepared is even better. With perfect serving sizes, and perfect pours every time, ready-made cocktails are the perfect endnote to any music festival. Bols Ready to Enjoy Cocktail Tubes are not only tasty but also conveniently shaped for transport. They maximize flavor while minimizing space. On the Rocks Premium Cocktails are another great option. Carefully curated cocktails made by mixologists, On the Rocks are ready for your glass.

Get Ready for Summer Festivals

While many festivals don’t allow outside food or beverages, nothing stops you from a little pregame happy hour. If you’re camping out, you’ll want to keep your cooler ice cold and ready for your cocktails, and your body well hydrated. That means don’t forget the water and other N/A options too.

Keep your music festival experience as fun as it can be and shop Payless Liquors for all your beverage needs. We have over 20 locations around and outside of Indianapolis, and we’re ready to help you pick the perfect treats for your festival. Don’t forget our weekly ad if you need help picking out your perfect libation. Visit us today!

cocktail

What’s in Your Cooler for Summer 2022?

To pack for a picnic, put some club sandwiches, a seasonal fruit salad, and a delectable beverage in a cooler. There are a variety of delicious picnic drink recipes to suit every taste. Whether you’re a devoted Pimm’s Cup drinker or prefer a Kaliber NA beer, a good beverage might quickly transform your picnic from average to ideal. Try an excellent bottled cocktail or pack the basic ingredients and top them off with soda water once you’re seated and ready for a drink.

Cucumber G and T

You’ll never drink another traditional gin and tonic after trying our light spin on it. Four simple ingredients are all you need to make our beautiful elderflower and cucumber G&T. First, combine Thatcher’s Elderflower Liqueur, your favorite gin, and cucumber slices in a sealable container. When you’re ready to enjoy, top off the mixture with tonic water and enjoy this summery concoction.

Whether you prefer the heavy juniper flavors of a classic gin like Beefeaters or opt for something more citrusy like Whitley Neill, gin and summer go hand in hand.

Pimm’s Cup

Pimm’s Cup is an old standard from the 1840s. With the ageless combination of citrus flavors and a bite of ginger, a Pimm’s Cup is sure to please and will complement whatever goodies are packed in your picnic basket. The classic recipe requires just 2 ounces of Pimm’s and half an ounce of fresh lemon juice and is topped off with ginger ale. We recommend packing your glass with strawberries, mint, and a slice of orange and lemon to really amp up the essence of the cocktail.

Looking to mix up a twist on a classic? Add a splash of bourbon along with the rest of the recommended ingredients for a Southern twist on this bright recipe.

Simple Sangria

The best place to enjoy a bottle of pre-mixed sangria is on a tablecloth with a hotdog. This classic summer drink is easy to prepare and wonderful to share. Enjoy a cup of red wine, Spanish brandy, and diced fruit, topped with sparkling water, to celebrate the warm evenings.

Make sure to pick the correct wine, know which mixers to use, and choose some delectable optional additions for your sangria recipe. You could consider a lighter choice for a base like the Umberto Moscato, or even opt for a bubbly such as Chandon Brut for an effervescent spin. From there, pick out a variety of fruits like peaches and apples for a more exciting mix.

Aperol Spritz

For a picnic, there is no better drink than the Aperol Spritz. The Aperol Spritz is a traditional summer beverage that is bubbly, lemony, herbaceous, mildly bitter, and gently sweet. This beverage is well-known around the world and attained its peak popularity in the 2000s. This drink has its origins in the 1950s. For years, people have been captivated by this Italian drink,

and the buzz is justified. For a less bitter taste, opt for a little less Aperol and a little more prosecco. If you’re looking for the drink to be lighter and less boozy, up the amount of club soda, and cut back a little on the prosecco and Aperol. The best thing about the Aperol Spritz is it can be customized to your taste.

Shop for Your Picnic Cocktails Today

With summertime in full swing, your picnic basket is begging for you to bring along any of these beverages. From bright citrus notes to rich and mineral tastes, each concoction will highlight different palettes. We have a wide variety of liquors for you to choose from to make your favorite picnic cocktails. Shop Payless Liquors today!

summer of rum

Summer of Rum

It’s summertime, so everyone’s indulging a bit, even those who don’t usually drink much booze. For us, it’s the summer of rum! The warm months are the ideal time to experiment with lighter cocktails that give something sweet and colorful to sip, even if you typically have a more spirit-forward drink in hand or something just on the rocks. Rum, easier to consume than other liquor, is a staple of mixed drinks and punch-like cocktails in tiki-style glasses. Here are some suggestions for varying your summer drinks:

Blue Hawaii

Many famous drinks’ beginnings have been lost to time, yet certain libations’ legends have persisted. A few originated at hotel bars — the Singapore Sling, for instance, was created at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. A tiny bit closer to home, bartender Harry Yee made the first pour of rum, Blue Curaçao liqueur (to produce the characteristic hue), and pineapple juice (as a reference to the Hawaiian form of pineapple — sweet and golden, with minimal acidity) in 1957 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The ideal celebratory beverage for a trip.

Sex on the Beach

This fruity cocktail may be the first alcoholic beverage many Gen Xers had in college (along with their introduction to the delights of schnapps). It was so well received that it has become a classic and is recognized as an IBA Cocktail. Sex on the Beach is traditionally made with peach schnapps, vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice. If you are short of orange juice, the now three-component drink is known as Woo Woo. Fitness enthusiasts could compare Sex on the Beach to their favorite smoothie sans the blender.

Piña Colada

In addition to white rum and coconut cream, which give the drink its dessert-like flavor, pineapple juice also makes a cameo in this sweet classic poolside cocktail. The Piña Colada is the national cocktail of Puerto Rico, whether blended or served on the rocks, even if its beginnings on the island are still up for debate. Most people credit the Caribe Hilton Hotel — the company’s first establishment outside the continental U.S. The classic Piña Colada is perfect for poolside, summer barbeques, or even an after-dinner sip.

Mai Tai

The Mai Tai, Tahitian for “good,” was created during World War II at Trader Vic’s in Oakland, California, when soldiers returned to the United States with fascinating tales from the South Pacific. The initial inspiration for this timeless cocktail may even have started in the 1930s by Donn Beach. It has since become the signature cocktail of every tiki bar worldwide. The Mai Tai, which is still served at hotels and pool parties and is made with light and

dark rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, symbolizes the mid-century obsession with exoticism. Adding a little pineapple juice can sweeten the deal if you’re looking to cut down on the boozy taste.

Create Your Own Summery Rum Cocktails

Summer is a great time to break out of your comfort zone and try these classic rum drinks. With more access to exciting flavors, and a desire to experiment, you could create your spin on any of these traditional rum drinks and end up with a delightful signature cocktail all your own. Payless Liquors is here to facilitate your tasting journey, whether you’re looking to try something new or stick with an old favorite. With a wide selection of rums, you can’t go wrong with your choice of light or dark rum. Check out our impressive summer inventory of rum in-store. Happy sipping!