Peach and Strawberry Soda

I watched this episode the other day and this sounded so good. I made it using just the Strawberries, as I was making it from memory. Oops. Either way, this was really good! A fun treat for my daughter. I plan on making this all summer long for the kids, as I believe it's a great substitute for "real soda". You can cut back on the sugar, and use fresh berries/fruit when available. I did and it was great (and pretty too!)

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup (6 ounces) frozen and thawed peaches (preferably with no sugar added) or 2 fresh peaches, peeled and pitted - Didn't use
1 cup (6 ounces) frozen (preferably with no sugar added) and thawed or fresh strawberries - I used fresh
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
1 teaspoon lemon zest (from1/2 large lemon) - I forgot! didnt use
1 cup sparkling water
Ice

Directions:
In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes.
In a blender, combine the cooled syrup, peaches, strawberries, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth. Add the sparkling water and pour into an ice-filled pitcher.
Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis

Mojito

Since moving to California.. I have found a very swanky little place that is very popular to go to for dinner and drinks. Its FABULOUS. I was there last night celebrating my 4th anniversary.. and I ordered my favorite drink.. a Mojito. Luckily I was at the bar and I got to watch her every move.. so now I know exactly how to make it at home. Of course I have to share! These are the best Mojito's I have ever tasted. Very refreshing, not too sweet. Yum yummy!!

You'll need;
a tall glass
ice
1 tsp sugar per drink
mint leaves- about 4 per drink
2 red grapes per drink
4 lime wedges per drink
Rum.. 2 shots per glass
club soda
a muddle if you have it.. or something to do the job
a shaker or another glass

In tall glass add rum, 1 ts. sugar, 2 red grapes, mint leaves and 2 lime wedges. Muddle until nice and smashed. Add ice and dump into a shaker and shake until chill. Dump back into your tall glass. Top with club soda until full. Squeeze remaining 2 lime wedges into the drink and use as garnish. Enjoy!

skinny girl margarita

Did you know the average restaurant margarita has 700 calories??? We had visitors this weekend, and Aubrey brought along a new recipe for us to try.. the Skinny Girl Margarita!! This is a recipe from Bethenny Frankel. She is one of the Real Housewives of New York. I'm in love. It only has 3 ingredients! Now, its a sipper. You cant down it.. but that means you wont drink as much. There is no sugary syrup to add calories or a headache. The key is don't skimp on the quality of alcohol. The BEST part is?? IT ONLY HAS 100 CALORIES!

Ingredients:
salt and sugar to line the rim, if desired (equal parts)
limes - use 1/2 lime or more per drink
Patron Silver Tequila
Cointreau

Directions: (per drink)
Cut lime in half. Rub some of the lime on the rim of the glass and dip in a mixture of equal parts sugar and salt.
Add ice to glass. Squeeze the lime into the glass. Use 1/2 lime per drink. Add 2 oz Tequila. Add 1/2 oz Cointreau. Finish with a lime wedge and serve.

Vodka Spiked Lemonade with Red Rocks

We are moving to California within the next month, so we are having a bye bye party. At my parties I make a special drink to serve. So I was testing recipes (at noon) the other day :) and I found this one and I love it!!

Tropical Fruit Punch
3 cups water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
6 oz Vodka
4 thin lemon slices

Pour tropical punch into ice cube trays and freeze. Combine water, lemon juice and sugar in small pitcher. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add vodka. Refrigerate if time permits. Fill each glass with 3 or 4 red ice cubes and add the lemonade. Garnish with lemon slices.
*Note, as you can see in the pic.. I was not feeling like making homemade lemonade, so I used store bought. It tasted great.. it had vodka in it!

STRAWBERRY MARGARITAS

If you know me, you know I love margaritas...
Here is my favorite recipe for Strawberry Margarita's.. tried and true!

2 1/4 c. Tequila
3/4 c. Triple Sec
1 1/2 lbs. Frozen or Fresh Strawberries
1 1/2 c. Limeade, thawed

In a Blender, blend ice (about 2 cups to start), Tequila, Triple Sec.
Add strawberries, and Limeade.
Blend to desired consistency. Add more ice if necessary.
Garnish with sliced strawberry and serve.

Serves 12