There’s no other way to celebrate the first day of the new year than to indulge in a little day drinking.
And I’m not talking a weak Bloody Mary or a brunch style Mimosa. No, I mean ‘from-the-time-you-open-your-eyes-and-realise-that-the-only-way-you’re-going-to-get-through-this-day-is-to- level-up type drinking.
So as I lie by the pool with a cocktail in one hand and typing this with the other, allowing the sun to gentle infuse me with vitamin D (sorry Northern Hemisphere) it doesn’t take me long to realise that we live in a golden age for day drinking.
You see at our little makeshift pool-side bar, we have a jug of Fancy Fruit Cup (the Australian version of Pimms), Aperol Spritz (as far as the eye can see) and the makings for some nice Aperitifs (with St Germain, Sparkling Wine and Soda Water taking centre stage).
(And just to take that analogy a little further and point out what weird cocktail nerds we are are, there is also Campari, Dolin Dry, Cynar & Jagermeister in the wings, ready to come on as backup singers when the time is right).
Living in a world of low-ABV cocktails and a growing Aperitif culture has meant that day drinking has never been easier. But day drinking especially all day drinking is a marathon, not a sprint.
So if you take our lead today here are a few things that you should remember to keep your spirits up and drinking long into the night.
Water Everywhere
Staying hydrated is incredibly important. In other words, the water surrounding you shouldn’t just be in the pool. And the jugs of water aren’t just there for decoration. Actually, drink it. It will not only help you through the day but also with the next day as well.
Breakfast Of Champions
No matter how low the ABV, you should never drink on an empty stomach. While you might think Aperol is your bitch, water and food are your BFFs. Lining your stomach before you start drinking not only helps with preventing a hangover but also helps with slowing down alcohol absorption.
Know Your Drinks
While we hate to state the obvious, it’s always worth reiterating that for day drinking straight liquor is not your friend. Try to ensure that you are creating drinks that take the booze down a notch. GQ magazine (https://www.gq.com/story/low-booze-summer-drinks) provide some nice choices that will help you jack up the flavour while keeping the booziness at a minimum
Count Your Drinks
Especially if you are creating pitcher drinks, it’s easy to not keep track of how much you’ve been drinking but it’s important to keep track. While low ABV is helpful, it doesn’t make you bullet-proof and after a few hours the alcohol content will add up.
Keep It Simple
One of the tricks with session cocktails is to be able to create drinks that are both flavoursome but also quick and easy to prepare. This is why three-ingredient cocktails should never be overlooked. After all, the less time you spend making drinks, the more time you have to enjoy good company.
Stay Out Of The Sun
Even if you are relaxing by the pool, do it under an umbrella or at least spend some of your time in the shade. While the sun is fun, it’s not necessarily overly helpful when you are day drinking. If you get too much sun, you’ll sweat and increase your dehydration level.
Pace Yourself
As we said easier, this is not a race. Take your time, after all, day drinking is really more about is as much about the culture and sociability it inspires, than how much you actually consume. Why not make a deal with a friend that you keep each other in check as the imbibing goes on.
