Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend

There is something divine about refreshing summer cocktails. A few years ago I discovered the watermelon martini. I know summer has arrived when one of my favorite restaurants in town puts it back on the menu. Last weekend I took my watermelon drink making skills with me all the way to a "light" BBQ in Brooklyn. Note to self: trekking 6 blocks with a watermelon (and cervesas) is a bad idea. After making due with only watermelon and vodka (I do not recommend using the Pinnacle Whipped flavor...there is something very bad college drink about it) I decided afterwards that I wanted to step up the recipe a bit. I found this gem compliments of Snappy Gourmet.

Watermelon Poptini

Recipe type: Drink

Author: Snappy Gourmet

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh seedless watermelon (cut into cubes about 1/2-inch in diameter)
• 1/4 cup watermelon vodka
• 2 tablespoons honey + more for glass rim
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 small packages watermelon Pop Rocks

Instructions

1. Place watermelon, vodka, 2 tablspoons honey, and lime juice in blender. Process until smooth. (If you notice a few watermelon seeds, pour through strainer if desired.)
2. Rub a little honey on the edges of martini glasses then dip into Pop Rocks.
3. Shake drink with ice if desired then strain into martini glasses.
4. Makes 2 drinks

Notes

TIPS: Try to get out as many watermelon seeds as you can before you put the watermelon in the blender, but if you can’t get them all, just strain the drink before serving.

SUBSTITUTIONS: You could substitute a little orange or lemon juice instead of the lime juice.

Wind Down Wednesday

Summer is almost officially here and the days are not only getting longer but hotter too. I often find myself daydreaming of being poolside or of cocktails awaiting me on my patio when I get home from work. After a bit of browsing on the internet for some inspiring new recipes I found this fabulous one for Blackberry Mint Lemonade at Savory Sweet Life. While the recipe doesn't initially call for alcohol you can easily add a shot of vodka or rum to turn into the perfect summer cockatail! Enjoy!

Blackberry Mint Lemonade

Author: Savory Sweet Life

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 8

A refreshing blackberry lemonade infused with mint.

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 18 mint leaves, torn
• 2 cups frozen/fresh blackberries
• ice
• 3 mint sprigs
• 4 cups natural store-bought lemonade
• mint sprigs

Instructions

1. Bring the water and sugar to boil in a small pot. Stir the water/sugar mixture until the sugar is dissolved then turn off the heat. Add the torn mint leave and give the pot a stir. Allow the simple syrup to cool.
2. Add the blackberries to a blender. Place a strainer over the mouth of the blender and pour the mint simple syrup into the container. Discard the mint leaves. Blend the simple syrup and the blackberries on low speed for just a few seconds at a time, just enough to break the berries apart but not enough to puree them.
3. Fill a juice pitcher halfway with ice and add the mint sprigs. Pour the lemonade and the blackberry mixture over the ice. Stir the blackberry mint lemonade and add more ice if necessary before serving.

recipe found here

THIRSTY THURSDAY: Champagne Cocktail with Lemon Sorbet & Mint

As I mentioned yesterday Spring is on the brain, and the weather has been perfect for outdoor drinks. I found this refreshing cocktail over at fresh365. I know exactly what I am going to do with the insanely tart lemon sorbet from Trader Joe's I have in the freezer. My mint plant is coming back to life just in time!

Champagne Cocktails with Lemon Sorbet & Mint

makes 1 cocktail

• 2 t fresh mint leaves, finely chopped or muddled
• 2 large scoops of lemon sorbet
• 1/3 c vodka (can be left out)
• 3/4 c champagne 

Place a tad of mint in a tall glass. Add 1 scoop of the lemon sorbet. Repeat. Pour in vodka. Top with champagne and the rest of the mint. Garnish with mint if desired.