Lyric Libations: CAROUSEL

Get into the Carousel spirit—pun intended!—with these delightful cocktails inspired by your favorite characters and songs from the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. These are the perfect drinks to have when the children are asleep. And no matter what Dr. Seldon says, it probably would be best to walk alone (and not drive alone) after having a few of these.

This summery drink will have you singing along with Nettie in no time. Fresh and alive and gay and young, this drink ​is a love song, sweetly sung. Perfect for your next clambake!

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz honey
• 9 oz gin
• 9 oz dry riesling
• 4.5 oz pineapple juice
• 6 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 12 oz soda water
• 1 lemon, cut into slices
• 20 mint leaves

In a bowl, mix honey with 1.5 oz water until fully incorporated to make honey syrup. In a pitcher stir honey syrup and remaining ingredients until combined. Serve over ice. (Recipe courtesy Self.com)

You can sail away on the high seas like Jigger Craigin and his whaling friends with this rum-based cocktail. The apple juice makes you think it's not that dangerous, but like Mrs. Mullin says, watch out for Mr. Craigin. All of his friends seem to end up in jail...or worse.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz ginger beer
• 3/4 oz apple juice
• Ice

Fill a rocks glass with ice. In a shaker, add ice, Makers Mark, ginger beer and apple juice. Shake and strain into the glass. (Recipe courtesy sailingworld.com)

What does an out-of-work carousel barker drink after staying out all night with his no-good buddies? Another drink, of course! This beer-based cocktail wakes you up with lime and spice, with just enough of hair of the dog to cure any hangover.

Ingredients

• 7oz beer
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 4 oz Clamato juice
• 2-3 key limes, juiced and wedges for garnish
• 1-2 dashes of hot sauce
• 1 sliver of fresh jalapeno to float in the drink
• Dash of Worchestershire
• Dash of soy sauce
• Phillips seafood seasoning to rim glass

Rim a tall drink glass with lime and seafood seasoning, fill with ice and slowly pour some beer (little or no foam), add some of the Clamato juice and other ingredients + an additional pinch of seafood seasoning. Stir and top off with more beer and juice. (Recipe courtesy Food52.com)

Enoch Snow and Carrie Pipperidge are an ideal couple with big dreams. You can just imagine them sipping on this fragrant floral cocktail as they relax on the porch, admiring their beautiful geraniums while the (many, many) children are asleep.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 oz rose geranium sugar syrup (recipe below)
• 5 large, freshly picked rose-scented geranium leaves

Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker. Add ice cubes, shake well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a tiny rose geranium leaf. (Recipe courtesy Gardendesign.com)

Rose Geranium Simple Syrup

In a small saucepan, bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil, constantly stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove pan from heat; add 5 large, freshly picked rose geranium leaves, and stir until they wilt. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Remove the leaves.

This drink is sweet with a hint of tang, just like Julie and Billy's romance. Now that Carousel's star-crossed couple has a baby on the way, this "mocktail" is the perfect thing for the new Mrs. Bigelow. (It can also​ easily be made boozy by adding your desired amount of gin or vodka—you know Billy's going to add a shot or two!)

Ingredients

• 1 can of pink lemonade
• 1 lb of strawberries, washed, hulled, and halved
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 small handful of basil
• Ice as needed

Prepare lemonade according to instructions on the can. Blend strawberries in a blender or food processor. Finely chop basil and add it to the mix. Stir strawberry mixture and lemon slices into the lemonade. Add lots of ice and enjoy! (Recipe courtesy Natashaskitchen.com)

Mrs. Mullin runs a carousel all day and dances in dream ballets all night. Sometimes she just needs to relax. This drink is the perfect way to finish a long day. Just don't think about what dear, departed Mr. Mullin would say if he saw you drinking this!

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 1/4 oz ginger liqueur
• 2 orange slices, about 1/8″ thick each
• 1 lemon slice, about 1/8″ thick
• 2 dashes bitters

In a shaker glass muddle the orange and lemon slices. Add 5-6 ice cubes and the remaining ingredients. Stir thoroughly to chill and mix. Strain into a large cocktail glass (I used my 6 oz glasses) and garnish with a flamed orange peel. (Recipe courtesy Twilightlounge.wordpress.com)

Header image: Todd Rosenberg