Festivals are a great time to try new nonalcoholic drinks. There are many festival drinks options, from refreshing cocktails to nonalcoholic beers and wine-free wines.
Buckfast
In the quaint English countryside is Buckfast Abbey, home to a group of monks who have been producing a syrupy caffeinated tonic wine since the 1890s. This alcoholic drink has become extremely popular with Scottish young people, hooligans and “neds” (affectionately referred to as “neds”) at parties and festival. They drink the drink in large quantities and are responsible for a variety of antisocial behavior issues such as littering and stabbings using broken bottles.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that only a very small minority of Buckfast drinkers display this type of behaviour, and the blame should not be placed on the drinks themselves. This is particularly true given the high caffeine and alcohol content of the beverage, and it would be unfair to tarnish all Buckfast consumers with this brush.
While some locals have reacted to this transformation with skepticism, others have welcomed it with open arms. Moreover, many have found a certain charm in the way that Buckfast is being incorporated into cocktail culture, which is an excellent idea as it provides a unique tongue-in-cheek twist on this classic drink.
A trendy bar in Glasgow, for example, serves a Negroni using Buckfast instead red vermouth. It works surprisingly well, and adds a sweet contrast to the Campari and gin. It is also worth noting that the Abbey itself produces a range of other alcoholic beverages, including some soft drinks and herbal teas.
Jager Bomb
The Jager Bomb, a popular drink among thrill-seekers and party-goers, is a potent mixture of energy drinks and herb shots. The Jager Bomb is the perfect drink for getting the party started, or to boost your excitement before an event or to get an adrenaline rush.
The cocktail is a combination of two ingredients: Jagermeister, a German herbal liqueur invented in 1934 and made with 56 different herbs, spices and botanicals and Red Bull energy drink. The drink is syrupy and sweet with notes of black licorice, ginseng and anise. It contains 35% by volume of alcohol, which is a little less than a spirit such as vodka or whiskey.
While the drink is popular for its high energy, it also contains medicinal herbs and spices. The drink is marketed as being a health tonic. However, it should only be consumed in small amounts. Some of the ingredients such as star anise and cinnamon bark have been shown to help with digestion, while cloves can reduce coughing and are anti-viral.
The drink is best served chilled and can be enjoyed straight or mixed with a variety of mixers to create cocktails such as the Vegas Bomb or the Jaggermeister Mule. It can be paired with condiments like ketchup and mustard for a unique flavor.
Jelly Shots
Jello shots will be a big hit at any event. They are delicious and fun. These drinks are typically made with a mixture of flavored vodka and gelatin mix, but they can be spiked to your liking. These easy-to-make recipes can be customized to include a variety flavors and other ingredients.
Jelly shots are easy to mold using silicone molds or shot glasses in different sizes. You can use cookie cutters to shape your shots into cute animal shapes or other designs for a festive, fun look. Once your shots are set, you can serve them on a platter or tray for everyone to enjoy.
Use a high-quality, non-overpowering vodka when making a jello drink. Vodka is a popular choice for making jello shots. Rum and tequila may also be used. It’s also important to allow the jello shots enough time to set properly. It may take as little as one hour for a thin layer of jello to set, but it will take several hours for larger shots to set.
Try serving jello shots in syringes for a fun twist. To make these, simply fill a syringe with the mixture of flavored gelatin and alcohol. Use a turkey baster and dispense each shot into a cup. This is a great idea for serving cocktails at a party, and reducing the amount of alcohol per person.
