Recipes for mild alcohol?

[Pacific]

Anyone have any good recipes for mild alcohol drinks for teenagers?

I usually make them a wine and fruit punch, a bit like sangria but now they want WKD or Breezers which I refuse to buy them as they are too strong.

So, any ideas?

TIA

[wellwisher]

How about Pimms, made very weak, with lots of fruit? Though I would be more inclined to give them "real" alcoholic drinks in very limited quantities... sets up better habits for later, I think.

[AnnieLobeseder]

I hope we're talking about over 18 teenagers.....

Weak vodka diluted with Shloer or similar? Should be like a WKD.

[AuntieMonica]

I'd stay away from vodka with youngsters.

I thought it was really popular as it's one of the most easily absorbed alcoholic drinks.

But, surely alcoholic drink is alcoholic whatever the strength they might have to drink twice as much but they'll still be drunk.

It's a bit like saying smoking Silk Cut fags isn't real smoking

[SecretSquirrels]

I think WKD and the like are the teenage equivalent of fruit shoots . Sadly they seem to like the sweetness.
I agree with wellwisher, I would try to steer them towards beer or wine spritzers. I suppose if they are girls they might like fancily named cocktails which can be as weak as you like?

I presume they are under 18 as I doubt you'd have much say in the matter if they were over 18. In my experience most 15/16 parties involve some alcohol and hopefully parents around to supervise/moderate.

[Pacific]

Yep, under 18s. Strictly controlled but realistic.

Like the idea of pimms. How do you make it, wellwisher?

Also the named cocktails Secretsquirrels. Can you give me some good recipes and how to decorate them?

[coccyx]

try www.cocktailmaking.co.uk.

[Pacific]

thank you coccyx. that site looks great!

[AnnieLobeseder]

OMFG. Parents seriously give alcohol to under 18s at parties. Wow. Note to self to not let the DDs go to any parties when they're older.

I accept that under 18s will try to experiment with alcohol, I did at 17. But 15/16? With parents around? Seriously?!?!?!?! What kind of message is that giving them?

Please someone tell me I'm not alone is being shocked by this.....

[Pacific]

Oh Get real Annie.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Sorry, call me naive, but I'm seriously shocked!

[wellwisher]

Pimms, lemonade, icecubes, fresh mint, chopped fruit/veg (oranges, strawberries, cucumbers) - there are variations though - Google it!

[SecretSquirrels]

Sorry but I think you are naive and I presume your children are very young?
As parents of teenagers we have to be realistic and pragmatic. The occasional beer under careful adult supervision demystifies it and reduces the chances of them going wild at 18 if alcohol has been utterly forbidden and taboo.

Pacific - I'm no great cocktail expert but I was thinking you could make up some colourful drinks and be inventive with naming them? How about Pacific Punch ?

[Pacific]

Thanks all! Got lots of ideas now. I am going to investigate the sweet and colourful cocktails........for me too!

I am going to town with the fancy umbrellas and straws and stuff.

How do you do that thing with the frosting around the top of the glass?

[AuntieMonica]

egg white, in a bowl

dip the glass in (rim 1st) then into bowl of sugar

have fun

[Pacific]

Good point cat, but I am in control and in the past I have served only a maximum of two glasses each of my wine/fruit concoction.

[Pacific]

Thanks Auntie M

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I have a 16 year old dd who sometimes has a stubbie of lower alcohol lager at home with us, or one of those made into a couple of shandies. She also likes v weak Pimms and lemonade or a spritzer made with about a third wine to two parts lemonade. I wouldn't offer her friends an alcoholic drink though, unless I'd okayed it with their parents first.

But I think you're being v naive in your extreme shock tbh, Annie.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Perhaps I am Remus; as Squirrels guessed, my DC are nowhere near teens yet. But this is a totally different mindset to parenting when I was a teen. And yes, I am completely shocked that parents these days serve alcohol to under-18s at parties.

I can see the logic in giving your own child an occasional weak drink at home. But to other people's children in a party situation? No.

No doubt I'll read back and laugh at my naivety when my girls are older....

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Okay - I think we actually agree more than we disagree! This thread has made me really fancy a Pimms now too. :)

[PastGrace]

Cosmopolitans: Cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, vodka and cointreau. You can just leave out the vodka and use lemon instead of lime and it becomes a (much nicer) cointreaupolitan. Try and mix a few up to get the strength right. I'd leave out the vodka, because you can't really taste it. I think the key thing is it has to be weak enough to not get them drunk, but there should be a taste of alcohol or they might drink it too quickly. Glass of cranberry + shot of cointreau would be a good amount to start from, and then water down. They should be served short, and are a lovely pink colour.

Another nice drink (not really a cocktail) is southern comfort with lemonade and fresh lime. It tastes a bit like lovehearts!

[SecretSquirrels]

Yes, I think back and laugh at my refusal to allow them to eat burgers or to wear character pyjamas . If only the parenting choices were always so daft.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Burgers and character PJs are not a problem. Though BC I was determined not to let my children watch TV until they were at least 2. ROFL!

[HeathersMummy]

When I was younger my Dad made punch for myself and my brother - it was cider, fresh orange and lemonade and tastes absolutely lovely. They encouraged a really open view of alcohol and allowed us a taste of something weak for special occasions throughout our High School years. The result - no drinking on street corners or going crazy at teenage parties.
Off to find some cider now, I think...

[PastGrace]

Would they drink cider and black? Just add some blackcurrant cordial (ribena doesn't work as well as cheaper stuff) to a watery cider.

Is it all girls? Or all boys? Or a mix?