Pride Month is in full swing — celebrate with colorful, refreshing cocktails that are perfect for a Pride party or any festive occasion. These bright, layered ingredients create drinks that look as good as they taste. For best results, prepare the rainbow ice cubes the night before so they have time to freeze solid.
The Rainbow Rumba
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces tequila, vodka, or gin
0.5 ounce coconut rum or liqueur
0.75 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce lime juice
3 ounces filtered water
2 dashes cardamom bitters
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker or small carafe. Pour over rainbow ice cubes (see recipe below) and garnish with a lemon wheel or twist.
Rainbow Ice Cubes
Red
2 bags hibiscus tea
1 L filtered water
Steep the tea bags in room-temperature water for about five minutes. Remove the bags, pour the liquid into silicone ice cube trays, and freeze overnight.
Violet
1/4 cup dried butterfly pea flowers
1 L filtered water
Steep the flowers in room-temperature water for five minutes, strain out the solids, pour the liquid into ice cube trays, and freeze.
Yellow
0.5 L orange juice
0.5 L filtered water
Mix the juice and water until fully combined, pour into ice cube trays, and freeze until solid.
Green
4 large cucumbers, cubed (peels on)
1 L filtered water
Blend cucumbers with water until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove pulp, pour the liquid into ice cube trays, and freeze.
Courtesy of Essentia Water
The Harvey Milkshake
Ingredients:
- 5 ounces vodka
- 5 ounces Crème de Cacao or Kahlúa
- 5 ounces simple syrup
- 2 ounces cold brew coffee
- 1 ounce almond milk
- 5–7 ice cubes
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with rainbow sprinkles and a cherry for a playful finish.
Homemade Almond Milk
1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight
3 cups filtered water
Drain and rinse the soaked almonds. Blend the almonds with water on high until very smooth, then strain through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine mesh sieve to remove any solids. Use the milk immediately or store chilled for up to 3 days.
Cold Brew Coffee
Use a cold brew concentrate of your choice and dilute before mixing. A simple ratio is one part concentrate to two parts water. Adjust strength to taste.
Notes: For nonalcoholic versions of these drinks, substitute the spirits with extra water, additional flavored syrups, or alcohol-free spirits. Prepare ice cubes in separate trays for each color to keep hues vibrant, and allow sufficient freezing time to avoid dilution. Enjoy responsibly and celebrate inclusively.