There’s no need to be on the ropes while you wait for Sunday morning’s 5am start-time for the highly-anticipated Mayweather vs. McGregor fight.
Yesterday we covered the perfect recipes to try if you’re entertaining at home on Saturday night or Sunday morning. We’ve also rounded up where to watch the big fight in Cape Town if you’re planning to go out. Now, try these refreshments to keep your guests in the ring.
Round one – fight!
NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Ginger Beer
Irish McGregor was born with red hair – some may say ginger. Therefore, you won’t want to miss any of the build up to this iconic showdown, which makes good ol’ ginger beer, with it’s zesty and refreshing kick, the ideal drink to keep you energised in the wee hours of the morning.
However, if you’re a part of the Mayweather fandom, you may be glad to know that one of the world’s most popular ginger ale brands, Vernon’s Ginger Ale, originated from the fighter’s home-town of Michigan. Try this recipe for the beverage if you want to pay hommage to your fav contender.
Ingredients
200g white sugar
8 cups water
2 -3 tsp ground sugar
75g fresh ginger, grated
¼ tsp tartaric acid
½ tsp cream of tartar
2 fresh pineapples, diced
½ lemon
Method
Heat the sugar 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan, stirring continually until the sugar has dissolved without coming to the boil. Add the ginger tartaric acid and cream of tarter and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 – 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and is slightly golden in colour.
Mix the syrup with the remaining water and transfer to a two litre plastic bottle and add the pineapple. Place in a place, opening every few hours to allow the gas to escape.
Strain, chill and add lemon juice. Served with fresh pineapple and crushed ice.
Mint Chip Ice-Cream Soda Float (like a butterfly)
If the phrase ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’ was to ever be personified into a beverage, we’re sure it would take the form of this recipe. This classic float with it’s smooth creamy texture and sharp soda taste makes for an indulgent minty treat that’ll keep you energised for hours – don’t forget the whipped cream!
In a tall glass, add 3 – 4 tablespoons of peppermint syrup. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking. Next, add a heaped scoop (or two) of your referred mint chip ice cream, and then fill the glass with chilled sparkling water or soda. Mix well and finish off the deal with some shavings of mint chocolate on top.
Red Lemonade
Red lemonade is a national delicacy and somewhat iconic in McGregor’s birth place of Ireland, so we thought this drink would make a great addition to amp up the dual in a household of opposing sides.
Ingredients
2 tbsp Strawberries, cut
2 cups Soda water
1 tbsp Lemon juice
½ tspn Ginger
Pinch Sea salt
Method
In a blender, add the strawberries, soda water, sea salt, lemon and ginger. Blend the mixture until smooth and all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Irish Coffee
Coffee, whipped cream and a smooth Irish whiskey – perfect for team McGregor. Could there be better combination? Let us show you how to make it the traditional way so you can serve it up to your guests during the build-up to the fight.
Ingredients
2 tbsp brown sugar
150 ml filter coffee, hot
3 tbsp whiskey
125 ml cream
Method
Add sugar to the filter coffee and mix well to dissolve.
Add the whiskey and divide the mixture between two Irish coffee glasses.
Whip the cream until soft peaks form.
Spoon on top of the coffee and serve immediately.
Watermelon and Ginger Punch
Punch – perhaps the most fitting drink for a boxing fight! A crowd favourite, it’s easy, sociable – and you guessed it – packs a punch.
Ingredients
2 tbsp caster sugar
3 cm ginger, roughly chopped
4 cups roughly chopped watermelon
1½ cups rum
¼ cup lemon juice
2 cups ice
Method
To make the ginger syrup, mix the sugar and 2 tbsp boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Add the ginger and leave to infuse and cool, then strain out the ginger.
Blend the watermelon, rum, lemon juice and ginger syrup until liquefied. Add the ice and blend again for about 5 seconds to crush.
Divide between 6 glasses and serve.
Photography Courtesy