As bars in cities, counties and states across the country close early in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus, White Castle has a solution for creating memorable moments another way: Enjoy “Cocktails and Craves” at home.

“Cocktails and Craves” are White Castle’s suggested food and drink pairings, each one featuring a delightful custom drink and a mouth-watering White Castle Slider.

White Castle just released its third Cocktails and Craves” pairing – “Midnight Merlot Punch” and a hot and tasty Cheese Slider. The custom punch recipe features Merlot wine and Sprite raspberry topped with a garnish of mint and fruit. Earlier this summer, White Castle introduced its “Orange Afterglow” to accompany the Original Slider and its “Castillo Rosado Margarita,” an ideal complement to a Jalapeno Cheese Slider.

“We’re making it easy for people to mix it up at home with our Cocktails and Craves pairings,” says Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle. “We created these to help people enjoy the short nights and long days of summer, but now these pairings will be even more appreciated as people spend more late nights at home.”

White Castle enlisted Mr. Gandy, a one-of-a-kind Craver, to introduce its “Cocktails and Craves” pairings – and the original cocktail recipes – in a series of video posts that have appeared on White Castle’s Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as on its website. He encourages Cravers everywhere to enjoy the pairings on hot summer nights or whenever the Crave hits.

The Original, Cheese and Jalapeno Cheese Sliders can be picked up at any White Castle drive-through and in freezer aisles at grocery stores across the country. And while White Castle doesn’t provide the alcohol, it can provide the cocktail mixer, thanks to its Coca-Cola Freestyle® machines, which are found in virtually every White Castle restaurant. Cravers can also purchase Coca-Cola brands and flavors from their favorite retail store and experiment with recipes at home.

“We’re all about good food and good fun,” Richardson says. “The long days and short nights won’t last long, so we want to help make every moment count.”

White Castle social media posts are featuring a coupon for a complimentary 30-ounce medium drink from one of its Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. No purchase is necessary. The offer expires August 31.

Here are the recipes for the custom cocktails. Cravers are encouraged to share their own original cocktail recipes using the hashtag #CocktailsAndCraves. Please drink responsibly.

 

Orange Afterglow (perfect complement to the Original Slider)

• 12 oz. lager beer
• 4 oz. Seagram’s Ginger Ale orange
• 1 orange slice, for garnish

 

Pour the beer into a chilled pint glass. Gently add the Seagram’s Ginger Ale orange. Garnish with a fresh orange slice. Serve.

Castillo Rosado Margarita (perfect complement to a Jalapeno Cheese Slider)

• 1 lemon wedge, for rimming glasses
• 2 c. ice
• ¼ c. fresh lemon juice
• ½ c. triple sec
• 1 c. tequila
• 2 ¼ c. Minute Maid pink lemonade
• 4 lemon slices, for garnish

 

Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of four glasses, then dip rims into salt. To each glass, add ice, lemon juice, triple sec, tequila and pink lemonade. Stir to combine. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice. Serves 4.

Midnight Merlot Punch (perfect complement to a Cheese Slider)

• 5 oz. Merlot red wine
• 6 oz. Sprite raspberry
• Ice
• 1 orange slice, for garnish
• 1 pineapple chunk, for garnish
• 1 strawberry slice, for garnish
• 1 lemon wedge, for garnish
• 1 mint sprig, for garnish

 

Fill a tall glass with ice and top with the Merlot. Gently add the Sprite Raspberry. Garnish with the orange slice, pineapple chunk, strawberry slice, lemon wedge, and mint before serving.