The rental house has a corkscrew and some plastic cups and the kind of kitchen that makes you realize how much you rely on your own kitchen. The campsite has a cooler and a folding table and exactly the level of glamour you negotiated for. The hotel room has two glasses wrapped in paper and a mini fridge that fits three things.
Summer travel is great. The drink situation at summer travel destinations is often less great.
This is where Dick's Mixes earns its keep.
Shelf-stable, no refrigeration required until opened, and small enough to throw in a bag or checked bag without drama. Three SKUs that between them cover every cocktail occasion you're likely to encounter between now and Labor Day.
Here's how we think about it by destination:
The Rental House You've got a real kitchen, probably a blender, maybe a decent number of cups. This is full margarita territory. Dick's Margarita Mix, whatever tequila you picked up at the local liquor store, a cutting board and some limes, and you're the most popular person in the house. Batch a pitcher before everyone gets back from the beach. Accept the compliments graciously.
The Lake or Campsite Keep it simple. Dick's Margarita Mix or Habanero Margarita Mix over ice in a big insulated cup. Add tequila if you've got it, sparkling water if you don't. Bring one lime per person. That's the whole setup. Light, cold, and tastes like summer.
The Beach Dick's Margarita Mix with club soda and a squeeze of citrus in a can or cup with a lid. Nothing complicated. Nothing that requires a cocktail shaker or a cutting board. The beach is not the place for elaborate preparations.
The Hotel Room This is where the Bloody Mary becomes the hero. Dick's Classic Bloody Mary Mix with ice and whatever vodka is in the minibar. It's savory, it's substantial, and it makes a hotel room morning feel like a thoughtful brunch decision rather than a minibar regret.
The point is that summer drinks should travel as easily as summer itself. You shouldn't need a fully stocked home bar to have a great cocktail on vacation. You just need real ingredients and a little ice.
Dick's Mixes fits in your bag. Good drinks follow wherever you go.
See you out there.