Painting the town purple

Here at Alzheimer’s Research UK we love the colour purple. It’s our primary colour, it’s eye-catching and some spiritualists believe that surrounding yourself in the colour purple brings peace of mind. So, what better reason to hold a purple party? Get your friends, family and colleagues to dress purple, eat purple and drink purple to support dementia research.

If you’re hosting a Purple People Day to raise much needed funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK, then you might want to go that extra mile with purple themed drinks. Here are some brilliant ideas, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic that will really grab the attention of friends and colleagues and quench their thirst with delicious recipes.

Purple Smoothie Ideas

Purple Monster Smoothie

This is an ideal early-morning smoothie to keep you energised for the day ahead. Honey and vanilla extract are optional for those without a sweet tooth!

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas, skins removed and cut into chunks
• ½ cup of frozen blueberries
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place bananas, blueberries and juice in a blender and puree. Add honey and/or vanilla to taste. Use more or less liquid depending on the thickness you want for your smoothie. Serves 4-6.

Purple Mango Smoothie

Keep it simple with this easy and fast smoothie idea. All you need is:

• 1 cup of pineapple juice
• ½ cup of orange juice
• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1 cup of cubed frozen mango

Blend all ingredients together to serve two.

Purple Power Smoothie

The ultimate in purple smoothies. It’s high in anthocyanin, a very powerful antioxidant, super sweet, delicious, and healthy!

Ingredients

• • ½ a frozen banana
• • ½ cup of blueberries
• • 3 tablespoons of grape juice concentrate
• • 1/3 cup of water
• • 1 cup of pitted cherries
• • ½ cup of chopped red cabbage
• • 1 cup spinach
• • Ice

Add all the ingredients to a blender, start on a low speed slowly increasing to high and blend until smooth for about a minute. Serves 2.

Purple Cocktail Ideas

Here are some fun cocktails – feel free to enjoy them and drink responsibly.

Purple Hooter Cocktail

This popular cocktail is great and a delicious addition to any party.

Ingredients

• Lemon
• Extra Dry Vermouth
• Raspberry Liqueur
• Vodka
• Ice

Fill a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and three parts vodka. Add a splash of raspberry liquor and a little Extra Dry Vermouth, before adding a squeeze of lemon to taste.

Purple Haze Cocktail

For something a little calmer, try this easy-to-make cocktail for a relaxing drink that your guests will really enjoy.

Ingredients

• 25ml Blue Curacao
• 25ml Vodka
• Grenadine
• Sprite

Pour the Blue Curacao and vodka into a cocktail glass, fill with sprite and add a touch of grenadine.

Purple Passion

The addition of coconut rum in this popular recipe gives the cocktail a tropical twist that will transport you straight to sunnier climes and sandy beaches- well, almost.

Ingredients

• 25ml Raspberry Vodka
• 25ml Coconut Rum
• 15ml Raspberry Liqueur
• Pineapple Juice

Pour the raspberry vodka, coconut rum and raspberry liqueur into a glass with ice. Fill it with pineapple juice.

For more information about how to host your own Purple People Day, please email Corporate@alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 0300 111 5555 and ask for the corporate fundraising team.