Thirsty Thursday: Red Melon

OK! Magazine's Drink of the Week: RED MELON!

 

Thirsty Thursday: Strawberry Thyme Agua Fresca

 

I love strawberries, and I doubt that will ever change.

I love agua frescas too, and I doubt that will change either.

But you add THYME in the mix, and that's just pure foodie genius!

Strawberry Thyme Agua Fresca
(recipe from Matt Bites, picture from Eat Drink Pretty)

Thyme Simple Syrup

1/2 cup loosely packed thyme sprigs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 water

Bring the water and sugar to a boil and then add the thyme. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Strain and remove the thyme.

For the Drink:

4 cups of fresh or frozen strawberries with 2-4 cups of water to blend
8-10 cups of water

Puree the fruit and water in batches and then strain to remove any seeds or pulp. You can use a fine sieve or cheesecloth and you’ll want to get as much solids out of the liquid. Add the simple syrup to the strained liquid and then dilute with 8 to 10 cups of water. At this point you can adjust the sugar and water levels to your liking. Serve over plenty of ice and enjoy immediately.

Thirsty Thursday: Mint Lemon-Limeade

Mint Lemon-Limeade

Remember back when I posted the Mojitos that I said I love mint with my lime....??? Well Stylish Cuisine posted this other drink and I dubbed this my summer drink for 2012! Alex got us a mint plant earlier this month and we have our lime tree (and the neighbor's lemon tree that hangs over into our yard)... so we're SET! (Oh and doesn't that picture just make your mouth water!?)

Recipe adapted from Stylish Cuisine

For one pitcher:

2 large lemons, or enough to make 1/2 cup of lemon juice
2 limes, or enough to make 1/4 cup of lime juice
2 large sprigs of fresh mint leaves
3/4 cup superfine sugar
cold water

Make a simple syrup by putting 3/4 cup of sugar and 3/4 cup of water into a small pot over medium heat. Add the mint sprigs. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat. Leave the mint leaves in the syrup until you are ready to use it.

Squeeze the juice from the lemons and limes over a strainer into a glass measuring cup. You should end up with 3/4 cup of juice. Strain it into a pitcher. Remove the mint from the sugar syrup and add the syrup to the pitcher. Add 7 cups of water to the pitcher and stir. Taste for sweetness. Add additional lemon juice, lime juice or sugar as necessary to suit your taste.

Pour into tall glasses filled with ice and enjoy!

Yes, thoroughly enjoy!

Thirsty Thursday: Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

Recipe from Stylish Cuisine

1 cup of pomegranate juice
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup of ice cubes
honey to taste

Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Say "yumm!" after one sip!

Thirsty Thursday: Watermelon Punch

Watermelon Punch

Recipe from Stylish Cuisine

1 8–10-lb. seedless watermelon

3–5 limes, quartered
1/4–1/2 cup granulated sugar

If you happen to find any rogue seeds in your seedless watermelon, remove them. Purée the pulp in a blender or food processor. Strain into a large wide-mouth pitcher to catch any stray seeds that you might have missed.

Squeeze limes into pitcher, adding the rinds. Add sugar and 6–8 cups water and mix well. Adjust flavor with more sugar or limes, if you like. Add plenty of ice, then pour into tall glasses.

Little Note from Sylish Cuisine:

This recipe makes A LOT of punch, so if you’re not sure you’re going to like it, either halve or quarter the recipe. I had so much punch that I ended up making ice pops out of it because the boys weren’t drinking it fast enough. It will only keep for a day or two in the refrigerator before it starts to get that funny, overripe watermelon taste so only make as much as you think you’ll drink.

Thirsty Thursday: Mojitos!

Mojito

I love a good mojito... especially if I didn't make them, but incase you (or I) need to whip up a batch, this recipe is simple to do! I myself add more mint leaves because I really like the mint with the lime.

Recipe from Stylish Cuisine

6 large fresh spearmint leaves, plus 1 nice sprig for garnish
4 tsp. superfine sugar; more to taste
1 lime
Crushed ice as needed
2 fluid oz. (1/4 cup) light rum
Cold club soda as needed

In a tall, narrow (Collins) glass, mash the mint leaves into the sugar with a muddler or a similar tool (like the handle of a wooden spoon) until the leaves look crushed and the sugar starts to turn light green, about 30 seconds. Cut the lime into quarters. Squeeze the juice from all four quarters into the glass, dropping two of the squeezed quarters into the glass as you go. Stir with a teaspoon until the sugar dissolves into the lime juice. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour the rum over the ice. Top off with club soda, stir well, garnish with the mint sprig, and serve right away.

Thirsty Thursday: Green Leprechaun Smoothie

Now I know most of us do NOT drink something that is green, especially a smoothie. Some of us do take wheat grass shots, or drink spinach out of their juicer... but that's not me.

I caught this recipe from Pinterest (where else right!) and it actually sounds good.... hence why I'm sharing!

Green Leprechaun
Thank you Alkaline Sisters!
Yield: 1 serving approx 10 oz

1 green apple
1/2 pink grapefruit
1/3 bunch fresh spinach
3/4 large English cucumber or one small
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger
1 stalk celery

Method: Run all ingredients through juicer, stir, test for flavor, enjoy. Garnish and make look pretty!

Thirsty Thursday: Adios MotherF*cker

Yup, adios... 'cause it's almost FRIDAY!

You ready Erin?!

Thirsty Thursday - {Riesling} Strawberry Slushy

Riesling Strawberry Slushy

Pin It

Yummy, yummy, yummy, I want {wine-slushies} in my tummy!

Yes, it's not summer (yet), but who say it needs to be summer to have a wine slushy?!?

None of my friends, that's who!

I want to try this out for a yummy after-dinner dessert for the girls. I'm sure it would be great for bridal showers, pool parties, and of course a certain birthday that comes around June 19th (hehehe).

I haven't tried it out yet, but the recipe looks easy, just make sure you have plenty of time before hand to freeze up those ice cubes. Thanks With Style & Grace!!

Ingredients:
2 cups hulled strawberries
1 bottle [750ml] dry Riesling
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:
Reserve 1 cup of the Riesling – cover and place in the fridge to chill.
In a food processor, puree strawberries with the remaining wine, lime juice and sugar. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When you’re ready to serve [or drink], puree the ice cubes with the remaining wine in your blender.

Thirsty Thursday - Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins {Popsicles}

Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins Popsicles

Who doesn't enjoy some strawberries & peaches? Now what over-21-year-old-chick doesn't enjoy a good Vodka Collins? And what inner-child adult doesn't love all of that... in a POPSICLE!

Come summer time, I'm making these for my girlfriends!

{Love}

 

Ingredients:
6 oz pureed strawberry (about 10 strawberries)
2 oz peach syrup (recipe follows)
12 oz tonic water
2 oz plus 3 oz vodka (divided use)

Instructions:
1. Stir strawberry puree with 2 oz. of vodka. Place three teaspoons of strawberry mixture in the bottom of popsicle form; set aside. (As mentioned in last week’s cocktail popsicle, I used cordial glasses, but any form will work.)
2. Stir peach syrup with tonic water stir to combine. Add vodka and stir to combine.
3. Pour peach and vodka mixture over strawberry mixture and stir to combine.
4. Freeze for about 2 hours or until mixture starts to solidify enough to hold a popsicle stick upright. Insert popsicle sticks and finish freezing popsicles overnight. To release popsicles run hot water on the outside of popsicle molds for a 2-3 seconds.

Peach Syrup
(You will have more syrup than you need. Save for other cocktail uses)
½ cup sliced peaches (about 4 medium size peaches)
1 cup water
1 cups sugar

Instructions:
1. Wash, peel, and pit peaches. Place peaches in a blender or food processor and process until peaches are pureed.
2. Place water, sugar and peach puree in a pot and bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes.

Thirsty Thursday: Pink Lemonade

PINK LEMONADE FOR ALL!

Pin It

I'm feeling like having a tall glass of pink lemonade! Nice, cool, crisp PINK lemonade... I sound like it's 90 degrees outside, when it's really 70 degrees HA! And then seeing it in a mason jar like the south does it just makes it soooo much more desirable! Then make it a "Lemon-Up" (as In-N-Out calls it) and add some 7-Up or Sprite and mix it with the lemonade!

Here's a recipe from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (5 to 6 lemons)

1/2 to 3/4 cup superfine sugar, to taste

1 cup crushed ice

4 cups water

2 teaspoons grenadine

6 maraschino cherries

Directions:

Place the lemon juice, sugar, ice, water, and grenadine in a blender and process until completely smooth. Place a cherry in the bottom of 6 glasses and pour the lemon juice mixture in the glass. Serve!

Thirsty Thursday: Pineapple Vanilla Flirtini with Pomegranate Seeds

Came across this lovely cocktail when browsing through Jenny's website! She's AMAZING!

Every great cocktail party needs a festive flirtini cocktail. This not too sweet cocktail will be the hit of your Holiday party!

Pineapple Vanilla Flirtini with Pomegranate Seeds

2 cups of Pineapple Juice

1/2 cup of Vanilla Vodka

2 cups of Champagne or Sparkling Wine

Pomegranate Seeds

Stir together Pineapple juice, vodka and champagne. Shake in ice before serving. Top with Pomegranate seeds.

Doesn't that look tasty!!!

Thirsty Thursday: Caramel Brulée Latte

Caramel Brulée Latte

Espresso and steamed milk flavored with caramel Brulée sauce, topped with sweetened whipped cream and caramel Brulée topping.

Now that the holidays are upon us, I've kept my tradition to drink Peppermint Mochas during this special season. However, I'm very tempted to try this bad boy! So due to the fact that Starbucks has a special:

Buy One, Get One Event!

Celebrate the season together. Buy one holiday drink, get one of equal or lesser value free.

November 17 - 20, 2 -5 p.m. at participating Starbucks locations.

Peppermint Mocha: Peppermint lovers rejoice! Your holiday favorite is back.

Caramel Brulée Latte: Warm up with sweet, caramel goodness.

Gingerbread Latte: Enjoy the flavor of freshly baked gingerbread.

Did you know?!? : Although this drink is new, the flavor is very traditional.

The first mention of crème brûlée dates back to 1691.

 

Thirsty Thursday: Blissinis!

Doesn't that just make your mouth water! I'm sure you would slip right into bliss as you sip on these!

Let's enjoy these while unwinding from holiday madness!

Blissinis
(Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis)

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups Prosecco, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups orange juice, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
- Mint leaves, for garnish

Directions: Combine the Prosecco, orange juice, and pomegranate juice and pour into 4 Champagne glasses. Garnish with mint leaves and serve.

Thirsty-Thursday: Thyme & Lime Lemonade

Thyme & Lime Lemonade

Ingredients:

- 10 fresh thyme sprigs, plus sprigs for serving

- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

- 3 cups store-bought lemonade or Classic Lemonade

- 3/4 cup vodka (optional, but worth it)

Directions: In a pitcher, using a wooden spoon, mash the thyme with the lime juice. Add the lemonade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. Add the vodka, if using. Serve over ice and garnish with the thyme sprigs.

Doesn't that just look delish! Thanks Real Simple!