Heading out onto the open water with the breeze blowing through your hair is an experience like no other. There is a sense of peace and freedom that comes over you and washes your cares and worries away with the tide. A few cocktails couldn’t hurt either! Whether you are gathering family and friends for a social event on the water, celebrating a milestone, or even playing host to a corporate event, the perfect selection of cocktails can help set the mood.
That’s why, at Anita Dee Yacht Charters, we have gathered a selection of some of the most popular and yacht-worthy cocktails you may want to serve during your private yacht charter. Mix in a few alcohol-selection tips, and you’ve got the right recipe for making sure that you and your guests can make the most of your special event.
Yachting Cocktails
We would be amiss if we didn’t start with some of the most commonly thought of drinks when it comes to yachting. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Chicago or the Florida Keys, if you are on a boat, you are going to expect to see some of these signature cocktails.
- Pina Colada – Yes, this may be the king of classic boating drinks and long walks on the beach. The pina colada is a blended drink mixed with rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. This sweet concoction is almost synonymous with spending time out on the water.
- Margarita – If you’ve got a margarita in your hand, it must be 5 o’clock somewhere. This cocktail goes hand and hand with relaxation and balmy getaways. The traditional margarita is a mix of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice and can be either blended or served on the rocks. Salt lining the rim gives this yachting cocktail the perfect finish. The margarita is a versatile cocktail, as well. In addition to the traditional lime cocktail, try making variations for your guests with strawberry, mango, or even watermelon.
- Mai Tai – Another tropical drink that reminds people of the water is the Mai Tai. The perfect yacht party drink, the Mai Tai is a mixture of rum, orange curacao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. There are other versions of the drink that include pineapple and sometimes grenadine. No matter which recipe you follow, the Mai Tai is a popular cocktail in yachting circles.
- Rum Punch – You may also know this drink by another name, Planter’s Punch. This cocktail comes in a variety of different forms, but the most popular combination is rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. The colors mimic a perfect evening sunset.
- Mojito – What could be more perfect than sipping something light and refreshing while enjoying the wind off the lake. The classic version of this drink includes a mixture of light rum, club soda, simple syrup, and mint leaves. Top it all off with a twist of lime.
Chicago Cocktails
We’ve done our duty and covered some of the most popular yachting cocktails people expect to see on board a fabulous ship, but let’s face it, we’re not in the Caribbean, we’re in the Midwest. While these may not be considered your “typical” yacht fair, they are uniquely Chicago and would be the perfect accompaniment on your next Anita Dee Yacht Charters yacht trip.
- Chicago Fizz -This cocktail is sure to warm you up if you are feeling a bit of a chill coming off of the water. The Chicago Fizz is a mixture of rum, port wine, powdered sugar, egg whites, and carbonated water.
- The Chicago – Inspired by the Windy City itself, this creative cocktail is a mix of vanilla, orange cognac, Cointreau, sparkling wine, and amontillado sherry. It blends into a deep amber hue and would make the perfect cocktail for a wedding or social gathering aboard a yacht.
- Water Taxi – The Water Taxi, we like Water Yacht better! This cocktail was created by a riverfront restaurant and is a sensational mix of Pisco, rum, Suze, passionfruit, and pineapple-jalapeno kombucha.
Beverage Options
Let’s not forget that not everyone is a fan of mixed drinks. The ultimate king of the yachting community has to be Champagne. Bubbly has always reigned supreme and is the perfect drink for any special occasion or party. In addition to mixed drinks and Champagne, it is a good idea to provide a reasonable mix of both red and white wines in both a sweet and dry variety. This will ensure that no matter who is in attendance, there is a flavor that will suit all taste buds.
Beverage Quantity
Now that you have some ideas on what to serve, here comes the big question, how much do you serve? As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to plan on two beverages per guest, per hour of your event. If you are serving wine, it is recommended that one bottle will serve two guests at a two-hour event. A bottle of Champagne is typically 750 ml to a bottle. That means it can fill about six champagne flutes.
The amount of Champagne you need to keep on hand also depends on the type of event you are having. Will the Champagne be used only for a toast? Will it be served all evening? Determining how you plan to use Champagne will be how you determine how much you need. As for spirts for the mixed drinks, a 750 ml bottle can typically make about 17 drinks. You’ll want to plan on at least three drinks per-person for a two-hour event. Find the drink recipe and multiply the volume of the mixer ingredients by three. Don’t forget, make sure you have plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks to offer your guests as well.
Your Yachting Adventure
There you have it, the perfect drink guide for your next yachting trip! These ideas are sure to spark your thirst for adventure and need to get out on the water. While we have given you a great guide to picking drinks, here’s another tip for you, you can let us do all the work. Our charter service works with some of the finest Chicago catering and entertainment companies. We can help take the guesswork out of how many bottles of liquor you need to have on hand for your special event.
At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, our number one priority from start to finish is making sure that you and your guests get the VIP treatment. If you’re dreaming of a yacht getaway, call us at (312) 379-3191 for more information about how we can make your dream a reality.