We all have those beloved children’s television shows that transported us to different worlds and made our childhoods magical. These timeless classics not only entertained us but also taught us valuable life lessons. But who says the trip down memory lane has to end there? As grown-ups, we can now experience these shows in a whole new light – through the lens of craft cocktails. So, let’s shake things up a bit and dive into the world of nostalgia with five cocktails inspired by your favorite childhood television shows.
The Page Turner
Inspired by Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
We begin our journey with “The Page Turner,” a cocktail inspired by Reading Rainbow, a show that introduced young viewers to illustrated readings of children’s literature and explored their related subject. The Page Turner is a refreshing cocktail that encapsulates the essence of this educational series, featuring a blend of apple brandy, lemon juice, maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon.
Enjoy this sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy cocktail that takes you on a flavor journey, much like the adventures Reading Rainbow embarked on with each new book.
The Page Turner
Ingredients
- 2 oz Laird's Apple Brandy
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz maple syrup
- 1 dash cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine apple brandy, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with an apple slice
Elwood City Fizz
Inspired by Arthur (1996–2022)
Next, we’re off to Elwood City with the “Elwood City Fizz,” inspired by Arthur. This animated series followed the adventures of Arthur, an 8-year-old aardvark, and his family and friends as they learned how to be good neighbors to one another. The Elwood City Fizz is a bubbly and bright cocktail, just like the show itself, featuring gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of club soda.
This effervescent cocktail is as delightful and refreshing as the life lessons Arthur taught us.
Elwood City Fizz
Ingredients
- 2 oz Beefeater Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- club soda
Instructions
- Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into an ice filled highball glass.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Townsville Tonic
Inspired by The Powerpuff Girls (1998–2004)
Our next stop is Townsville, home of The Powerpuff Girls, three super-powered little girls who constantly saved their city from monsters and would-be conquerors. The “Townsville Tonic” captures the vibrant colors and the punchy personality of the show with a blend of vodka, Midori, Blue Curaçao, lemonade, and a splash of grenadine.
This colorful cocktail is as fun and energetic as our favorite superhero trio.
Townsville Tonic
Ingredients
- 1 oz Absolut Vodka
- 1 oz Midori
- 0.5 oz Blue Caraçao
- 2 oz lemonade
Instructions
- Combine vodka, midori, blue caraçao, and lemonade in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Slowly pour 0.5 oz of grenadine to create a layered effect.
Pikachu Punch
Inspired by Pokémon (1997–2023)
Onward to the world of Pokémon, with the “Pikachu Punch,” a cocktail as electrifying as its namesake, Pikachu. Pokémon followed the adventures of Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends as they explored a world of powerful creatures. This cocktail features a blend of rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and a dash of grenadine, embodying the tropical energy of Pikachu’s electrifying personality.
This fruity cocktail is perfect for those who want to feel the electric energy of the Pokémon universe.
Pikachu Punch
Ingredients
- 2 oz Mount Gay Rum
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 0.5 oz grenadine
Instructions
- Add rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice to ice filled shaker.
- Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Drizzle 0.5 oz of grenadine over the top
Brooklyn Boarding House
Inspired by Hey Arnold! (1996–2004)
Finally, we land in the heart of a nameless city that greatly resembles Brooklyn, New York, the setting of Hey Arnold! The show chronicled the everyday life of Arnold, a fourth-grader living in a multi-racial boarding house with his grandparents and a motley assortment of friends and neighbors1. The “Brooklyn Boarding House” cocktail, much like the show, is a delightful mix of diverse flavors, featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a cherry for garnish, mirroring the variety of characters that made up Arnold’s world.
Brooklyn Boarding House
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rittenhouse Rye
- 1 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
Instructions
- Pour rye and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cherry.
As we raise our glasses to these craft cocktails inspired by our favorite childhood shows, we find that the magic of these series is not just in the past but is very much alive in our present. So, whether you’re a fan of Reading Rainbow, Arthur, The Powerpuff Girls, Pokémon, or Hey Arnold!, there’s a nostalgic cocktail waiting for you to enjoy. These beverages encapsulate the essence of each show, providing a unique way to reconnect with our childhood favorites.
Drinking responsibly doesn’t mean you can’t have fun revisiting your childhood. Remember, these shows taught us about friendship, adventure, and the importance of being good to one another. So, as you sip these cocktails, let’s raise a toast to the shows that shaped our formative years and continue to inspire us today. Cheers to nostalgia, and here’s to many more trips down memory lane!
As we come to the end of our nostalgic journey, we hope these cocktails will add a sprinkle of magic to your next gathering or even a quiet evening at home. After all, who says cocktails can’t tell a story? Here’s to reliving the magic of our favorite childhood TV shows, one sip at a time!”