Cool Flavoured Waters

Here's a great idea that I'm going to try this coming weekend.  I'm taking this weekend to just relax and socialize for a while, something I don't get to do much anymore and this seem like a cool idea to help beat the heat and humidity we've been having lately.

Cupcakes & Cashmere

Palm Springs Mohito

Another great drink to try this summer is the Palm Springs Mojito. 

Image source - JL Designs

Palm Springs Mojito - (in case you can't read it on the card)

• Muddled mint and cucumber
• Vodka
• grapefruit juice
• soda water
• simple syrup

Happy Fourth of July America!

Peach Margaritas

I survived on these this past long weekend.  Thank you Camille.   Try it I promise you you'll love them.

Image - Camille Styles

Peach Margaritas

• 1/2 cup silver tequila
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 1/2 oz peach schnapps
• 3 ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
• agave nectar

Place 2 peaches and a little agave nectar in a blender. Blend until smooth. Slice the 3rd peach and set aside.

Fill the blender 3/4 of the way with ice. Add all of the ingredients except 4 slices of peach. Blend together and garnish with slice of peach.

Margarita Time

I need one of these...

Image William Sonoma

Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• 6 fluid ounces tequila
• 2 fluid ounces triple sec

Directions

1. Fill blender with crushed ice. Pour in limeade concentrate, tequila and triple sec. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

How About a Soothing Cup of Tea

I'm becoming a bit of a tea granny since discovering DavidsTea.  It's sort of like specialty coffees but with tea.  The names a long sound inviting but the aroma's get me every time. 

Image - Martha Stewart

Hot Toboggan - think caramel apples
(avoid if you have nut allergies)

Read my Lips - chocolate and candy kisses

(avoid if you have soy or dairy allergies)

Alpine Punch - Amaretto with apple cinnamon

(avoid if you have nut allergies)

Mom's Apple Pie - speaks for itself

Check out their many flavours - there is bound to be one that will keep you warm this winter.

Christmas Hot Chocolate

I'm looking for some really great Christmas drinks this year.  Alcohol and non-alcohol so if anyone has any suggested links, let me know.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 quart milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
• 7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
• pinch of salt

Directions

1. Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.

Serves 4

Martini Time

Some days you just need a little something and I found this – don’t try and stop me...

Per serving:
3 ounces chilled Chocolate vodka
a splash or 2 of cherry juice
Pour the chocolate vodka in 8 ounce chilled martini glasses, or mix desired servings in a pitcher.
Add a splash or 2 of chilled cherry juice, more or less according to taste.
Put in a chocolate stick as a stirrer.

There’s a great story behind this one as well.  Check it out.

Keeping it Cool

I’m looking of a new ice bucket for a girls night I’m hosting...

Ralph Lauren

Campari Americano for Those Who Are Interested

In the movie "The Tourist" the waiter asks Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp if they would like another drink.  Because of his Italian accent, I couldn't make out what he was offering them.  However after much searching it turns out it's a Campari Americano.  You're welcome. 

The Americano is a drink invented to offset the slightly bitter taste of Campari. It was first served in the 1860's at Garspare Campari's bar in Milan, Italy and called the Milano-Torino because of the origins of its ingredients, but was later renamed because of its popularity amongst American tourists during Prohibition.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• club soda
• lemon twist or orange slice for garnish

Preparation:

1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
2. Build with the Campari and vermouth.
3. Top off with club soda.
4. Garnish with the lemon twist or orange slice.

Enjoy.

Whole Living Challenge - Day 34

Antioxidant smoothies...

My family enjoy these smoothies for breakfast now.  But Pomegranate juice is so expensive.

Recipe - Whole Living

Afternoon Cocktail

Refreshing, just what I needed…

Lavender cocktail

Image from Barefoot in Boston

Beat the Heat

This is a refreshing drink to replenish fluids on these hot summer days...

Image source – unknown – I think it’s William Sonoma but can’t be sure

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

·         1 cup sugar

·         1 cup water

·         1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

·         3 to 4 cups of cold water

Refrigerate 30 minutes and serve with ice and lemon slices.

Serves 6.