The family is getting into the back-to-school grind, which also means sports, clubs, and that ever-present need to get dinner on the table. Luckily, Richmond area restaurants offer meal deal options that make it easy to feed a hungry pack.
Hard Mtn Dew, the new alcoholic beverage from Mountain Dew, is now available in Virginia — one of the few states to carry it.
Virginia is the 9th state to carry the malt beverage, which debuted in February. Other states that carry Hard Mtn Dew include Tennessee, Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Missouri and Nevada.
According to a news release, Mountain Dew was originally created to be a mixer for alcoholic spirits 80 years ago. Now “Mountain Dew is returning to its roots as the first major soft drink brand to introduce an alcoholic version of its namesake,” a release stated.
Hard Mtn Dew is caffeine-free, has zero added sugar and is 100 calories per serving. It comes in four flavors — original Mtn Dew, Baja Blast, Black Cherry and Watermelon. It’s sold in 24 oz. single cans and 12oz. can mix packs. Hard Mtn Dew has a 5% ABV, similar to a can of White Claw.
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Mashable taste-tested the new malt beverage and said that “it just tastes like Mountain Dew, but it’ll get you drunk if you let it.” USA Today wrote that “it tastes almost like the real thing — a little more syrupy, but it’s sweet...Did I say sweet? Hooo boy, is it sweet.”
Hard Mtn Dew hit Virginia shelves on Tuesday and posted to its Instagram, “Virginia is for Hard Mtn Dew lovers.” According to the Hard Mtn Dew locator, it can be found at a few locations in Chester, Colonial Heights and Petersburg: hardmountaindew.com/Locate.
PHOTOS: 9 of our favorite frozen boozy drinks to try around RVA
Soft-serve hard cider at Buskey Cider
The flavor of Buskey’s dairy-free concoction changes every two weeks, so if something sounds good, hurry in to get it. To make the treat that is pulled to order just like soft-service ice cream, Buskey’s hard cider is blended with various flavors — right now it’s kiwi passionfruit. Get yours in a cup or on a cone in the Scott’s Addition tasting room. 2910 W. Leigh St. www.buskeycider.com
Frosé at Blue Bee Cider
Blue Bee Cider, also in Scott’s Addition, offers a cider-based frosé in rotating flavors. Look for fresh flavors like blackberry ginger and Mill Race Bramble frosé made from a cider infused with raspberries and blackberries, and peach frosé as the summer heats up. 1320 Summit Ave. www.bluebeecider.com
Frozen boozie pops at Tang & Biscuit
Choose the Red Pop or the Blue Pop for a grown-up take on a classic at Tang & Biscuit in Scott’s Addition. Both feature Dr. Stoner’s Island Bush Rum that’s infused with smoky Caribbean herbs, giving both pops an earthy undertone. Red pulls in watermelon, watermelon Red Bull and lime juice, and blue features Malibu, Coco-Berry Red Bull and lime juice. Both pops pack a definite liquor punch. 3406 W. Moore. St. https://tangandbiscuit.com
Pandan Painkiller at The Jungle Room
You might think of frozen tiki drinks as sweet, but the Frozen Pandan Pain Killer at The Jungle Room in the Museum District is boozy and balanced. House-made Pandan coconut cream blended with Lemon Hart Original 1804 Rum, pineapple and orange juice goes down dangerously easily. 2727 W. Broad St. www.thejungleroomrva.com
Frozen negroni at Laura Lee's
The selections at Laura Lee’s in Forest Hill change regularly, but you can pretty much assume they’ll be delicious. Whether it’s a frozen sangria featuring tropical fruit and white wine, a Painkiller, or The Undercurrent with rum, burnt apricot honey, pineapple, coconut and citrus, you’re in good hands. 3410 Semmes Ave. https://lauraleesrva.com
Soft-serve margarita at Barrio
The first boozy ice-cream style beverage to take Richmond by storm comes from Barrio in the Fan District. Barrio’s soft-serve margaritas are served swirled high in a coop glass, making them one of the most Instagrammable libations on this list. Choose from lime, a rotating sorbet of the day, or a twist of both. Of course, all flavors are blended with tequila. 2229 W. Main St. https://barriorva.com
The Cantario Conejo at Conejo
The Cantarito is Conejo's spin on the traditional Mexican Cantarito cocktail and features a dangerously drinkable combination of blanco tequila, grapefruit, orange, lime and a tangy guava twist that keeps you going back for one more sip. Another frozen option, The Coco Loco features mezcal, Fernet Branca Menta, coconut, pineapple, lime and cinnamon. 5820 Patterson Ave, Suite 103. https://conejococina.com
Frozen drinks at Saison Market
One of the first spots in Richmond to make serious non-syrupy-sweet takes on frozen drinks, Saison Market in Jackson Ward is famous for its frozen negronis, piña coladas and daiquiris made with high-quality ingredients. See what they’re serving, and snag a patio seat on the next sunny day. 323 N. Adams St. www.saisonrva.com/saison-market
