More Than a Drink: A Happy Hour to Remember
There is something really special about walking into my mom Patty’s Senior Community – Serene Gardens and being greeted like you’re walking into Happy Hour.
Every single time I visit, I love chatting with all of the residents. I have had quite a few of them asking me the same thing:
“When are we doing Happy Hour?”
Now… when you run a cocktail blog as I do, you can’t ignore that kind of energy.
So I decided to have a little fun with them and create one.
The Idea: A Pretty Mocktail for a Proper Happy Hour
I wanted something:
Fun
Bright
Easy to sip
And beautiful to look at
Because let’s be honest, presentation matters. Even more when it sparks joy.
The base starts out this tropical green-ish color… but when you add blueberry syrup
~Magic~
If you do it right, It swirls into this layered, Caribbean-looking blue that instantly makes you feel like you’re somewhere sunny. It didn’t look like “facility punch.” It looked like a vacation.
And that was the whole point.
Be careful though, a little too much Blueberry syrup will give the drink too dark of a look. Check out my photo below.
Easy Shot cups
Buy Now → (This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link I may financially benefit at no extra cost to you.)
Naming the Drink (Because Of Course We Had To)
I had a few names ready to go. But once they saw it, I let the residents decide.
After some discussion and a lot of giggling…
They unanimously voted:
BLUE SKY SHOOTERS
Honestly? Perfect.
It felt hopeful. Cheerful. Light. Exactly the vibe of the room.
The Cast of Characters (Because They Are the Best Part)
I won’t name full names, but let me tell you about a few stars of the show.
“R” — our fun, feisty lady — laughed and smiled the entire time. She kept telling everyone she had only had two.
She had more than that. 😂
She’d slide her cup forward for a “tiny top-off,” and then giggle like she was getting away with something.
“K” was hesitant at first. He took his time watching everyone else drink their first one. But once he tried it?
He wanted another.
My favorite moment though, was with “G.”
He was SO excited. He took one sip and immediately asked for another. No hesitation. Just pure joy.
And my sweet mom Patty?
She had at least three.
And every single time she said, “Yum.”
That right there? That’s everything.
“Hold Your Shots!”
Heather, the amazing Entertainment Director, gathered everyone together and said,
“Okay! Hold your shots — we’re all doing them together!”
I had to refill at least three different cups multiple times because they were so excited and drank too fast.
Finally, there we were. Residents. Staff. Families of Residents. Me. My mom.
All holding up our little Blue Sky Shooters.
And we toasted.
And for a moment, it didn’t feel like a Senior Community.
It felt like a beach bar with the happiest crowd you’ve ever seen.
Refills, Refills, Refills
Even the employees joined in (I made sure to bring enough for everyone). It made me overjoyed to include the wonderful people who take such good care of my mom and the other residents.
Because Happy Hour should include everybody.
That’s something I believe deeply, cocktails (even non-alcoholic ones) are about connection. They’re about slowing down. Laughing. Sharing something simple but intentional.
And that’s exactly what this was.
Why This Happy Hour Meant So Much to Me
Running Next Cocktails has always been about more than alcohol.
It’s about:
The culture
The stories
The people around the drinks
The lifestyle of gathering
And this day reminded me why I love it so much.
It wasn’t fancy glassware.
It wasn’t high-end spirits.
It wasn’t about the perfect garnish.
It was about “R” laughing.
“K” warming up.
“G” excitedly asking for another.
My mom saying “Yum.”
And a room full of people feeling included.
That’s Happy Hour.
The Blue Sky Shooters (Non-Alcoholic Recipe)
I created this to be tasty, but I thought about how everyone needs a little extra hydration, so I made sure to include Gatorade.
If you want to recreate this for your own gathering — whether it’s a senior center, a family party, or just a sunny afternoon at home — here’s the simple mix:
Blue Sky Shooters
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 2 Shot Glasses
- 1 1 gallon jug
Ingredients
Mocktail Version
- 2 oz Sprite
- 1 oz Blue Gatorade
- 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1-2 drops Blueberry Syrup
Alcohol Optional
- 1 oz Vodka
Instructions
Mocktail Instruictions
- Mix Sprite Gatorade, and pineapple juice over ice. Shake gently
- Pour into shot glasses
- Add a drop or two of Blueberry Syrup (don't stir)
For Alcoholic Version
- Mix the Vodka with the first ingredients above and shake.
Great Cocktail Shaker Kit
Buy Now → (This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link I may financially benefit at no extra cost to you.)
Optional: Turn the Mocktail into a Cocktail
Want To Make It Low Calorie?
You can also make this Mocktail with less sugar by using Sugar Free Sprite, and Sugar-Free Blueberry Syrup
Here is another one of my Blog Posts called Lighten Up Your Libations that discusses how to compare sugar-free syrups.
Do You Know Someone In A Senior Community?
If you have a family member or friend in a Senior Community, I highly recommend trying a fun Happy Hour. I have a few suggestions on how to get started.
- First, get permission from the Facility.
- Keep it simple.
- Use disposable cups (I like to use Jello shot cups)
- Include the Residents in deciding on the shot name. They may be older, but they like to be helpful and feel included.
For Bonus Points: Bring Doughnuts too. Cut them in quarters or just buy TimBits.
Not All Happy Hours Are Alike
This Happy Hour at Serene Gardens will be one I never forget. It warms my heart to see them having such a great time.
And sometimes the best Happy Hours don’t even need alcohol. 💙
I can’t wait to treat them all to another “Happy Hour” soon.
