RESIDENTS at a Poole care home celebrated National Cocktail Day in style by designing and indulging in a menu of vibrant beverages inspired by their happiest places.
Residents were treated to a variety of thirst-quenching cocktails on offer thanks to a fun-filled cocktail party at Upton Manor Care Home.
Residents reminisced memories of holidays, summer and sunshine, shaken and stirred with a cocktail shaker.
Cynthia Buckle, 77 was joined by her husband Peter, who made the ‘Cynthia’s Delight’ cocktail in her honour.
Peter said: “Cynthia and I loved going on cruises, and we’d often travel for three months at a time.
“Every morning of the trip, Cynthia would have a glass of champagne at 10.30am, which was a decadent treat.
“Cynthia’s Delight perfectly captures those happy memories, and Cynthia loved the cocktail so much that she even ate the strawberry I popped on to garnish it.”
For Norma Ayres, aged 89, it was her daughter Mel who was doing the cocktail making as she challenged her to create a tipple just for her.
On tasting ‘Tropical Breeze’, Norma said, “My daughter knows me well, this is a lovely drink.
“I feel like I’m on holiday again, and the flavours of Southern Comfort, lime and coconut take me back to some happy trips around the world.”
Resident Noreen Leonard, aged 89, was also feeling fruity as she tasted her cocktail.
Her drink titled the ‘Pink Passion’ was created by mixing vodka, Prosecco, cranberry juice and strawberries, all the flavours that Noreen associates with luxurious summer parties.
Noreen added: “This is a lovely drink – very summery.”
Wellbeing Coach Amy Morrison said: “The afternoon had been great fun and that residents and their loved ones had thoroughly enjoyed being mixologists for the day.
“It was a joyful afternoon – and not just because of the naughty tipples on the menu.
“What’s lovely is seeing residents sharing their happy memories, favourite places and other stories with their relatives and our homemakers.
“We’re all feeling ready for summer now and plan to put these cocktails on the menu again to celebrate World Cocktail Day on May 13.”
Upton Manor Care home is located on Dorchester Road, Poole.
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