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Want to know how to make summer for country club members more exciting? With poolside cocktails, of course! Who doesn’t want to enjoy nice summer drinks near the pool with friends, family, or co-workers? It’s the perfect combination for a relaxing and enjoyable time.
Country clubs are places mostly centered around golfing, but this doesn’t mean that you, as a country club manager, should neglect the importance of refreshing your beverage program regularly. With summer coming up fast, it’s time for you to think about the great cocktails you can add to your seasonal menu.
The country club culture may dictate which summer drinks to add to the menu. Another thing to keep in mind is what are the current adult beverage trends, popular non-alcoholic drinks, and the value of signature cocktails.
To give you some ideas on what you can include in your summer menu (see also: average drink prices at bars), we’ve compiled a list of popular, super yummy cocktails that are worth a try.
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10 Summer Drinks to Have at a Country Club
Although there are many great, refreshing drinks to choose from, we’ve listed ten popular cocktails that will definitely impact the customer experience in a positive way. You can try to recreate them or just get inspired by them. You know your customers best, and you should not forget to stick to the concept of your country club. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaway: You can’t go wrong with any of these refreshing summer drinks. Add them to your country club’s summer menu to keep your members happy!
1. Paloma
A great refreshing cocktail to try is Paloma with its base of grapefruit juice. The juice is mixed well with reposado tequila, some lime, and a lot of ice. Then everything is topped off with splashes of lemon-lime and club soda. The result is a refreshing but not super sweet drink that anyone can enjoy!
2. Tom Collins
This is an easy drink to make that will keep the consumer refreshed. The Tom Collins cocktail is made of freshly squeezed lemon juice, gin, some sugar, and carbonated water. It’s thirst-quenching, which makes it an even better choice for the warm summer months.
3. Watermelon Daiquiri
Using freshly made watermelon juice will bring this drink to the next level. However, you can also use high-quality store-bought juice. It’s a great rum drink for all Margarita lovers who enjoy a nicely salted rim. The salt balances the tart lime juice with agave syrup. (see also: best rum for Daiquiris)
4. Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz has become a true summer staple drink in the latest years. Typically served in a stemmed wine glass filled with ice, garnished with an orange slice, it’s best to use brut prosecco for this cocktail (see also: prosecco cocktails). This beverage already provides a lot of sweetness from its eponymous ingredient. Play around with the ratios if you want to have a more bitter flavor and add more Aperol. For a less boozy drink, add more soda water.
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5. Strawberry-Rum Coolers
For this great refreshing drink, you will need ripe strawberries cooked with ginger, lime, and agave. They should become fragrant and tender. Then blend them with dark and white rum and top the drink off with a float of ginger beer. Super cool drink for the hot summer days!
6. Piña Coladas
People love a nice Piña Colada in the summertime. Just make sure you shake well the can of coconut milk before you open it and use it to make a nice cocktail. This way the coconut liquid will mix with the coconut cream well and you will make a delicious cocktail.
7. Mai Tai
One of the best-known tiki drinks, Mai Tia, is a great cocktail for all rum lovers. Even if you are not the biggest rum fan, you can enjoy this yellow cocktail topped with citrus flavors and the right amount of sweetness. It has a rich nutty flavor thanks to the orgeat, which is a syrup crafted from blanched, ground almonds, which are boiled and sweetened.
8. Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a combination of white rum, vodka, silver tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, cola and in some instances - lemon juice. It’s a cocktail very rich in flavors, quite refreshing, and also a true classic many people can enjoy near the golf course or the pool.
9. Banana-Rum Old-Fashioned
This is a strong and bold cocktail with light rum and high-proof bourbon. It’s one of those bourbon cocktails that you would want to have under the bright, summer sun. The fresh and sweet flavor of banana makes it even better for the warm weather.
10. Cucumber-Rose Gin Spritz
One of the greatest summer drinks is a combination of gin, club soda, and lemon. For an even fresher twist, cucumber, basil, and cardamon-infused syrup are added. If you add some dried rose petals, there will be a subtle floral flavor but the petals will also act as a beautiful garnish.
Beverage Storage for Summer Drinks
Needless to say, having proper beverage storage during the hot summer months is crucial. Warm weather can lead to faster spoiling of food and drinks, so using temperature-control storage is one way to do spoilage prevention.
From storing wine at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, beer between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and whiskey at 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit - you need to put the time and effort into proper planning and inventory organization. You should even consider getting private label wine and spirits.
Having summer drinks by the pool that are cooled the right way will surely increase customer satisfaction in your country club!
Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Drinks in Country Clubs
For even more helpful information regarding great poolside cocktails in country clubs, read the following questions and answers.
Should a Country Club Have a Summer Cocktail Menu?
Yes, it’s better to have a summer cocktail menu full of fun and refreshing drinks. Following seasonality when you create your beverage menus is recommended. This way, even the members of your country club that come often will be nicely surprised.
A fresh new menu full of summer drinks, will give a sense of exclusivity and will provide your guests with more options to try. This can quickly boost the profitability of your country club’s bar and restaurants.
Can I Come Up with My Own Summer Drinks?
Yes, anyone can come up with their own summer drinks and that’s a great idea when running a bar, restaurant or a country club. However, to achieve the best possible results, meaning creating a tasty cocktail that matches the concept of your business and the food that’s being served, you should work with a cocktail expert.
Working with someone truly experienced to create a unique combination that will entice your customers. If people truly enjoy it, you can keep the cocktail in your year-round menu or bring it back every summer as a special offer for the warmer months.
Is It OK to Add Mocktails to the Summer Menu?
Mocktails are gaining more and more popularity, so it’s definitely a good idea to add them to your country club’s summer menu!
Not everyone enjoys alcohol, especially when it’s very hot outside. However, most people like fancy drinks by the pool, so having various non-alcoholic drink options will be a value proposition for restaurant brands. You can again work with an expert, such as a mixologist, to create unique drinks that will fit the concept of your business and will be perfect for the warmer months!
What Are Popular Summer Drinks Served at Country Clubs?
Popular summer drinks at country clubs often include:
Classic Cocktails: Mojitos, Margaritas, Pina Coladas, and Daiquiris.
Signature Cocktails: Unique drinks created by the club’s mixologists.
Spritzers: Light and refreshing wine-based drinks like Aperol Spritz.
Non-Alcoholic Options: Mocktails, iced teas, lemonades, and infused waters.
Craft Beers and Ciders: Local and seasonal selections.
Wines and Rosés: Chilled whites, rosés, and sparkling wines.
How Do I Choose the Right Glassware for Different Summer Drinks?
Choosing the right glassware enhances the drinking experience:
Highball glass: Ideal for cocktails with lots of mixers like Mojitos and Gin & Tonics.
Lowball glass (Rocks glass): Perfect for drinks served on the rocks like Margaritas or Old Fashioneds.
Martini glass: Used for chilled, up cocktails like Martinis and Manhattans.
Hurricane glass: Great for tropical and blended drinks like Pina Coladas.
Wine glass: Best for Sangria, wine-based cocktails, and frosé.
Champagne flute: Used for sparkling wines and cocktails like Mimosas.
How Can We Accommodate Members with Dietary Restrictions in Our Summer Drink Menu?
Offer gluten-free, sugar-free, and low-calorie options, and clearly label ingredients. Provide a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to cater to all preferences.