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If you want to amp up the fun at your next summer hangout, try this Mermaid Water Mocktail. It's got tropical vibes and eye-catching colors that make sitting on the porch or hanging out with friends way more exciting.
This drink's always on my family's barbecue list. I came up with it when I had leftover Gatorade one evening. Now it's the number one poolside favorite for us.
Vivid Ingredients
- Optional straw: Slides in for easier sipping and less mess. I like reusable ones to help keep things green.
- Tall glass: Grab a clear, tall glass to really show off the colored layers.
- Ice cubes: Toss in some clear big cubes—they keep things frosty and help the colors layer up right.
- Gatorade Frost Glacier Freeze: Gives you that cool blue look and super refreshing splash. Pick Glacier Freeze for the best layers.
- Gatorade Zero Sugar Berry Flavored: Use this for that bright pink layer. Make sure it's cold so it floats where you want it to.
- Pineapple juice: Sweetens things naturally and gives your base those tropical notes. Go for 100% juice for max flavor.
Clear Steps
- Add the Glacier Freeze:
- Finish by streaming the blue Glacier Freeze slowly right on top of the berry stuff. It'll blend a bit with the pink and sit mostly above the pineapple, giving you that beachy ombre look.
- Pour the Berry Gatorade:
- Take a spoon, turn it upside down, and slowly pour your berry Gatorade right above the pineapple part till your glass is around three quarters full. Go slow so the pink chills on its own layer.
- Add Your Pineapple Juice:
- Pour your pineapple juice gently over the ice till your glass is just over a third full. Now you’ve got your yellow base ready to go.
- Get the Glass Ready:
- Pack in the ice cubes till the glass is full. If you want to use a straw, pop it in before pouring the drinks so the layers aren’t disturbed later.
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The best part for me is that pineapple juice. When you use fresh, it’s got an amazing smell and taste. I remember whipping up a big batch for my niece’s birthday—she loved the bright colors and feeling fancy with her cool drink.
Keeping It Fresh
Want to prep this ahead? You can mix the liquids, but stack them up right before you’re ready to hand out the drinks. It’s tastiest and prettiest when the ice is crisp and you can see the colors stay clear. If there’s any left, pour it in the fridge without ice to keep it from getting watered down.
Ingredient Swaps
No Glacier Freeze? Any similar blue sports drink should work if it’s got a bold color. If you want to swap out pineapple juice, mango or orange are solid choices. Try coconut water and pineapple juice together if you’re after a sweeter kick for the bottom layer.
Fun Ways to Serve
This is perfect for brunches, pool hangs, or kid birthday bashes. Level up fun by popping in star or heart shaped ice. Top it off with a cherry or a slice of pineapple and everyone will think it’s extra special.
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Quick Backstory
Drinks piled up by color like this come from classic resort mocktails, where the bright line-up is all part of the good vibes. It works because each juice or drink has a different thickness, so they don’t just blend together and you get those cool stripes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why so much ice in the cup?
Packing the cup with ice helps you see the colors and slows down the layers from mixing together too fast.
- → How do you keep the layers from blending?
Pour each juice or drink really gently, letting it run over a spoon. This slows things down and keeps the layers clear and separated.
- → Is there a good glass for this?
If you use a tall and see-through glass, you’ll really get to show off all the pretty ombre layers.
- → Can I prep this ahead of time?
You should really put it together just before drinking. Chilling the parts before helps though if you're short on time.
- → Can you swap in other fruit juice?
Give it a try, but pineapple's what makes it sweet and tropical. New juices can totally change the flavor and color though.
- → Does this pack caffeine or extra sugar?
Nah, all the drinks here are caffeine-free, and using Gatorade Zero outdoors the sugar too.