On the first warm evening of the spring this year, my date and I were looking to do something outdoors. We also wanted a drink, but the bars in my neighborhood had yet to put any tables outside. So we decided to make our own drinks and take them on a walk. Obviously, this date could work with any number of libations, but what’s more fun to make when you are thinking ahead to summer than a cold, delicious smoothie? (Alcohol not required, but recommended).
How cheap we talkin’: Approximately $8- $13 pp, depending mostly on the quality and quantity of the alcohol you invest in. A small (6oz. ) bottle of vodka runs $6-15, Sherbert is $2-3, Frozen fruit is $3-4, as is juice.
Why this will impress your date: You knowledge of the romantic park benches in your neighborhood will be much appreciated, especially post-smoothie.
Next date: Anytime!
The Inside Game: Drinking straws are key. If you don’t have any, beg a couple from a local restaurant, like we did!
Score extra points: I picked up the ingredients for the smoothies ahead of time, but laboring together over whether to go with the frozen pineapple or mango could be fun too.
We started with this smoothie recipe, but our final drink was a product of trial and error. But doing the whole – “Here, taste this, what do you think?” “I think it needs more Vodka” was, of course, part of the fun.
1 c. mixed frozen berries
1 c. frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. mango sorbet
1 tray ice cubes
6 shots vodka
Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
After making your drinks (and putting them in non-conspicuous containers), take to the streets. It doesn’t matter too much where you wander. You can take this as an opportunity to show your date your neighborhood, or explore together an area you haven’t walked around in before. On our walk, we headed from Bella Vista toward South Philly on Passyunk Avenue. Passyunk is interesting because it has a lot of history (Giant coins embedded in the sidewalk commemorate that it originally an Indian trail, and George Washington housed many of his soldiers on the 800 and 900 blocks) and it changes character as you walk. Around 6th street, you will pass Pat’s and Geno’s (which may spur discussion on which of the two warring cheesesteak empires you prefer – or, in the other direction, may inspire a discussion about vegetarianism). At 11th and Tasker, check out the Passyunk Fountain, which used to spout music in addition to water. Further down, you and your date can compare your favorite bands at the Beautiful World Syndicate record store, open until 9pm every night.
If you made your smoothies right, you should be feeling pretty good right about now, so you might want to try to find a place to sit down and relax for a minute before heading home. Or you might just want to stumble back the way you came, hopefully hand in hand.
