Raise a Glass for Dad!
It’s the middle of a Saturday afternoon and Dad has enlisted you into a project of some sort, usually one involving holding a flashlight, and thus ensues a host of memories. Fathers and the father figures in our lives are the pinnacle of innovation, humor, and love. Dads always find a way to get a job done and done well while providing guidance and support. And great stories.
Father’s Day, on the third Sunday of June, is a day with its own history, and we can thank Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington for this nationally known, annual holiday.
Sonora was influenced by her father's steadfast dedication to their family. Her father, William Smart, a widowed war veteran, was a stronghold for their family, raising six children on his own. Inspired by Mother’s Day, Sonora thought fathers and father figures deserved recognition, too, so she created a Father's Day celebration in 1910. It became so popular within her community that it spread far and wide. Still going strong decades later, it became a national holiday in 1972, under President Nixon.
One big question we often ponder as Father’s Day nears: what on Earth to get for dear ol’ Dad?
Dads are so eclectic in their interests. Some are avid lawn enthusiasts while others enjoy the fine art of tinkering, also known as puttering. Others are technologically savvy in the pursuits of gadgetry and electronics. Still, one universal trait that all father figures possess: they all appreciate a good hearty beverage.
So, this Father’s Day, spend some time together with Pop and impress him with a homemade mocktail. Here at Upton Tea Imports, we have taken the liberty of helping you plan the perfect afternoon mocktail refreshments for Dad. Enjoy!
Dad’s Old Fashioned Whiskey Barrel Mocktail
With a robust smokiness, notes of tart cherry, and a maple sweetness, this mocktail is sure to please those fathers who love the outdoors.
Ingredients (makes an 8 oz glass)
- 3 grams of TJ102: Whisky Barrel Smoked Japanese Black Tea – Oak or TJ103: Whisky Barrel Smoked Japanese Black Tea – Cherry Wood
- 1 tsp bitters (best to buy premade at your local store)
- 1 tbsp muddled cherries (save a cherry for garnish)
- 1 tbsp muddled orange (save your orange peel for garnish)
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 2 oz cherry club soda
- 1-3 cubes of ice
- 1 cocktail pick (for garnish)
Directions
- Steep the Whisky Barrel Smoked tea of your choosing and set it aside to cool.
- Add the bitters to a cocktail glass.
- With a mortar and pestle or wooden spoon, muddle your cherries and orange slices. Place those in the bottom of the glass.
- Add ice cubes.
- Add tea and stir.
- Add maple syrup.
- Top with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with a cherry on a cocktail pick and an orange peel. You can stick these in the drink or rest across the top of the glass.
- Enjoy!
The Green Gladiator Mocktail
Ideal for active fathers on the go, this light, refreshing beverage is loaded with antioxidants and electrolytes. It combines the flavors of tart citrus and cooling coconut with the strength of Gunpowder green tea. This will have Dad feeling like a gladiator.
Ingredients (makes an 8 oz glass)
- 3 grams (1 rounded tsp) of ZG26: Gunpowder Green Tea Organic
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
- 3 oz lemon seltzer water
- 1 tsp lime juice (save a lime wedge for garnish)
- 2 oz coconut water
- 1-3 ice cubes
Directions
- Steep the Gunpowder green tea. After steeping, dissolve the agave in the hot tea and then set aside to cool.
- After the tea has cooled, add it to a cocktail shaker along with the ice cubes, coconut water, and lime juice. Shake vigorously.
- Pour into a tall glass and add the lemon seltzer.
- Add a lime wedge to the rim of the glass for garnish.
- Enjoy!
Dad & Stormy Mocktail
This combines the power of ginger with a hearty black tea from Java. A juicy burst of lime adds another dimension of flavor. This drink is perfect for family movie nights, especially those involving pirates!
Ingredients (makes an 8 oz glass)
- 3 grams (1 rounded tsp) of TB15: Java BOP Blend
- 1 tbsp tupelo honey
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1-3 ice cubes
Directions
- Steep the Java BOP tea and dissolve the honey in the hot tea. Set aside to cool.
- After cooling the tea to room temperature, add the ice, lime juice, and ginger beer.
- Gently stir so the fizz is not compromised.
- Enjoy!
The Arnold Papa (our mocktail version of an Arnold Palmer)
For the Decaf Cool Daddios, this is a classic. Lemon and decaf Assam black tea join forces to bring nostalgia to Dad’s glass, and maybe a joke or two. Perfect for those who don’t do caffeine, or are just classy.
Ingredients (makes an 8 oz glass)
- 3 grams (1 rounded tsp) TBX9: CO2 Decaffeinated Irish Breakfast Blend BOP
- 4 oz lemonade
- Ice cubes
Directions
- Steep the Decaf Irish Breakfast Blend and let cool.
- Add lemonade and ice.
- Stir and enjoy!
So, let's lift a toast to all the Dads and those who have fulfilled the role of Dad in our lives, whether they’re here with us now or forever in our memories. Cheers to Dad!
Happy Father’s Day from Upton Tea Imports!