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Lynsey Lou's

Enjoying Life One Bite at a Time!

10 Ingredients or less

Frozen Mojitos

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A couple of weekends ago we were breaking 100 degrees and doing any and everything we could to stay cool and beat the heat.  What better way to beat the heat than splashing around a water park all day long?

So, we met up with a few friends and did just that.  The kids had a blast; swimming, sliding, lounging in the little lazy river and running all over splash island.  While they were keeping themselves busy the adults got a chance to visit and catch up.

I was telling my friend about the #mojitoMonday series I was doing this summer and she was beyond excited!  We chatted about some of the various flavors I had made and then asked if I had made a frozen mojito yet.  No.  I said, and that quickly followed with an “I don’t know why in the world I haven’t”.  She told me she had gone to a restaurant that featured frozen mojitos and it was one of the best drinks she’d sipped on.

So, once I heard the words frozen and mojito in the same sentence I immediately knew that the frozen mojito had to be in this series.

Without further adieu I present you all with this amazingly cool, refreshing and delicious frozen mojito.  Packed full of freshly squeezed, tart lime juice, cool mint and a splash of simple syrup for sweetness; these simple ingredients plus some ice are all you need to make this cocktail.

Add some rum and make it a cocktail or leave it out to serve up a deliciously, refreshing mocktail.

This frozen mojito is to adults what icee’s are to kiddos.  I love this cool twist on one of my favorite cocktails; the perfect cocktail for summer.

Cheers!

Frozen Mojitos

Ingredients:


1/3 Cup fresh squeezed lime juice
12-14 Mint Leaves
1/4 Cup simple syrup
3 Oz rum
2 1/2-3 Cups ice

Directions:


Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Divide between 2 glasses, garnish with a lime wedge and mint leaves if desired.  Serve.

Recipe source: A Lynsey original

Caramel Popcorn Crispy Treats

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So, when thinking back to some of my favorite childhood treats Rice Krispie Treats are pretty close to the top of the list.  I loved eating them.  Helping make them.  And you know, there wasn’t a whole lot of things that were better than opening up my lunch box and seeing one of those marshmallow-y, gooey, crunchy treats.

Sinking my teeth into one of those was shear joy.

I still enjoy those crunchy, krispie treats.  I enjoy their taste, gooey-ness and all and I also love whipping up a batch with my little man.

Another thing that both my little guy and I love.  Popcorn.  Buttery, salty, airy popcorn.  I don’t think there’s a week that goes by that my little guy doesn’t request popcorn at least once.  He loves the stuff.  Throw some marshmallows in the mix, another one of his favorites, and well you’ve just got a match made in heave and he’s in his happy place.
Popcorn is delicious, but caramel corn.  Well, sometimes I get a hankering for it and it’s just downright awesome.

In honor of school starting I decided to combine one of my childhood favorites and some of my little guy’s favorites.  And that, my friends, is how these caramel popcorn crispy treats were born.

Imagine freshly popped, lightly salted popcorn tossed in a gooey, caramel marshmallow mixture, toss a few whole marshmallows folded in to add extra gooeyness and you’ve got one amazing treat.  Just as easy to make as the traditional treats but with some added texture and flavor.

Lightly salty, buttery caramel and gooey marshmallows.  This mixture will make those kiddos light up when they open their lunchbox and see this awesomeness starring them in the face.  Go ahead, make these and make your kids day!  Heck, sinking your teeth into one will make your day!

Caramel Popcorn Crispy Treats

Ingredients:

9- 9 1/2 Cups popped popcorn, kernels removed and salted
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp brown sugar
7 Cups mini marshmallows, divided

Directions:


Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper, spray with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Pour the popcorn in a large bowl and set aside.

Place butter in a pot over medium-low heat and allow to melt.  Once the butter is almost completely melted add the brown sugar and stir to combine.  Reduce heat to low and continue stirring to combine.  Once the mixture begins to bubble and the sugar has dissolved remove from heat.  Add 6 cups of marshmallows to the butter and sugar mixture and stir until the marshmallows are melted.

Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn, gently stir until all the popcorn is coated.  Add the remaining marshmallows and stir to incorporate.

Pour in the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.  Place a piece of parchment paper over the mixture, very gently press to evenly distribute the mixture in the pan.  Place in the refrigerate for about an hour to allow them to set.

Cut and serve.  Store in an airtight container.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Southern Sweet Tea Mojitos

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I’m channeling my southern roots today.  It doesn’t get much more southern than sweet tea.  And in the south, the motto is “the sweeter the better”.

This southern elixir has long been a staple in my life.

Perfect to sip on during the hot summer days, even more refreshing with a splash of lemonade.  Heck, I’m so partial to the stuff I even dedicated a whole week to treats, cocktails, and beverages that featured this southern stuff.

Since sweet tea is one of my loves, it only seems fitting that it make an appearance in for #mojitomonday.

Start by making basic southern style sweet tea; water, sugar and tea.  Next mint and sugar are muddled together, mixed with rum then topped off with ice.  Sweet tea is poured over the mixture until the the glass is filled.

It’s simple.  It’s basic.  But there’s truly nothing basic and simple about the taste.  The taste of bold, refreshing sweet tea is quickly followed by lip-puckering lime then finished off by the cooling mint.

So go ahead, channel your inner southern belle, whip up a batch of these mojitos and enjoy these remaining lazy, summer days.

Southern Sweet Tea Mojitos

Ingredients:


2 Cups water
3/4 Cup sugar
4 Tea bags
1/2 Lime, quartered
12 Mint leaves, washed and removed from stem
3 Oz Rum

Directions:


Place water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.  Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat, add tea bags, cover and set aside.  Allow the tea to steep for about an hour to an hour and a half.

Divide the limes and mint leaves equally between 2 glasses.  Using a muddle, gently press the lime wedges and mint to release the juices and oil from the mint.  Pour 1 1/2 ounces of rum in each glass, stir to combine.  Fill the glasses two-thirds full with ice then fill the glasses with tea, stir to combine and serve.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Pineapple Mango Milkshake

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 So, I couldn’t let #nationalicecreammonth go by without sharing a cool, delicious and refreshing treat with you guys.

I am beyond excited about this milkshake.  Five ingredients and a couple of minutes is all you need for this pineapple mango milkshake.

I am a huge fan of milkshakes, especially during these warmer months.  There’s truly nothing better than slurping up all that sweet, creamy goodness on a hot summer day.

While I typically go for milkshakes that include cookies, chocolate and/or peanut butter, lately I’ve had a hankering for more fruity flavors.  Like one of my favorite childhood treats; orange creamsicle.  There’s something truly magical about the combination of tangy orange and creamy vanilla ice cream.

So, I’ve taken inspiration from my childhood favorite and combined them with ingredients I had on hand to create this pineapple mango milkshake.  Tart pineapple, sweet mango and creamy vanilla ice cream come together to create a thick and oh-so-yummy milkshake.

I always have frozen fruit on hand for smoothies, so I used some frozen stuff for this shake.  But you could use fresh if you happen to have it on hand.  You can also customize this shake using whatever fruits you may have on hand.

It comes together so quickly.  The fruit takes a quick trip through the blender to make a puree, then the ice cream and milk is added and another blend incorporates them all together.  Viola, that’s it and then your ready to sip pure goodness on an oh-so-hot summer day.


Pineapple Mango Milkshake

Ingredients:


3/4 Cup chopped mango and pineapple
2 Tsp sugar
2 Tsp water (if fruit is frozen)
1/4 Cup milk
1 1/2 Scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:


Place fruit, sugar and water in a blender and blend until the fruit is pureed.  Add the milk and ice cream and blend until smooth and combined.  Pour in a glass, top with whipped cream and garnish with fruit.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Peanut Butter Brownie Milkshake

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“My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard….”

You know that song was going through your head when you read the word “milkshake”.  I honestly can’t think of a milkshake without those lyrics running through my head.

Anywho, now that’s out of my system let me tell you about this milkshake.  This takes one of my favorite flavor duos and brings them together in one cool, creamy dessert.  What could possibly be better than sweet and salty peanut butter combined with fudgy, chocolaty brownies?

Um, practically nothing.  Unless you add ice cream to the mix and then, well that would just be the cherry on top!

This milkshake combines peanut butter, brownies, milk and ice cream to create one amazing, thick and delicious milkshake.  You could also amp up that peanut butter flavor by using peanut butter ice cream if you’re so inclined.

This shake comes together in minutes…once you have made the brownies.  And, it’s also a great way to use up that last piece or two of brownie that may be left sitting around.  We typically don’t have a problem with uneaten brownies, but if you do this is a great way to use them up!

So go ahead, whip up this milkshake and all the boys…and girls will be running to your yard for this shake!

Peanut Butter Brownie Milkshake

Ingredients:


1/3 Cup brownie chunks, plus more for garnish
1 Heaping Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp milk
1 1/2 Scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:


Combine ice cream, milk and peanut butter in a blender and mix until almost completely incorporated.  Add the brown chunks and pulse for a few seconds.  Pour in a glass, top with whipped cream and brownie chunks and enjoy!

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Blueberry Moscow Mule

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So, lately it seems like all the other cocktails I have shaken up and been oh-so-eager to share with you all have taken a backseat since I started mojito Mondays.  I love my mojitos and I’m loving the series this summer, but I have another cocktail that has been screaming at me lately and I just can’t wait any longer to share it with you all.

Aside from my beloved mojito, the mule is right up there on my list of faves.  It’s an effortless cocktail the comes together in about a minute, is refreshing and served in a copper mug.  I mean, honestly, how could you not love a cocktail that’s simple, refreshing and served in an ice cold, copper mug?

It’s no wonder this 1940’s cocktail has been taking the bar scene by storm and is holding strong.  Not only are the traditional mules on the menu, tons of variations are making appearances too.

I’ve taken the basic mule recipe a step further by adding muddled blueberries to the mix.  This yields a beautifully colored cocktail that is filled with sweet blueberries, tart lime and crisp ginger beer.  Making this an ideal cocktail to enjoy on these long, hot summer days.

And, if you need that extra little push to make these let me help you out.  Along with being national ice cream month, July is also national blueberry month.  So grab a handful of blueberries, a lime and some mint and muddle them together, top with vodka and ginger beer and sip away.

Blueberry Moscow Mule

Ingredients:


3 Oz vodka
Half lime, cut into quarters
1/2 Cup raspberries, plus more for garnish
12 Oz ginger beer

Directions:


Place 1/4 cup of blueberries and a 2 quarters of lime in each cup.  Using a muddle, firmly press the limes and blueberries until the raspberries are crushed and the juice is released from the lime.  Add one and a half ounces of vodka to each glass, stir to combine.  Fill each glass about half way with ice.  Top off with ginger beer and stir to combine.  Garnish with additional blueberries and a lime wedge.  
This can easily be made into a mocktail.  Most varieties of ginger beer are alcohol free, so omit the vodka and fill with the ginger beer.  An equally delicious and refreshing beverage!

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Watermelon Mojitos

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Growing up there were several events that happened that let me know summer was truly here.  Softball season cranked up, our pool opened up which meant countless hours splashing around, hearing burgers sizzle on the grill and watermelon.

When my mom walked in the door with that first watermelon of the season I could barely contain my excitement.  It was almost a celebratory occasion with the first cut of that big ol’ melon.  We’d slice big peaces, head outside with a roll of paper towels and a shaker of salt and chow down.

We weren’t prim and proper when it came to consuming watermelon.  If the juices of the watermelon weren’t streaming down your arms and dripping off your elbows, well that was just all sorts of wrong.  The more watermelon juice running down your arms the better.  After all that watermelon was consumed, rinds were thrown in the woods and we hopped in the pool to rinse off all that sticky, sweet goodness.

I’ve tried to keep that tradition going with my little guy.  We don’t have a pool, but I still show up with a melon, slice it and we sit down and enjoy all the goodness that is that sweet juicy watermelon.

Since watermelon is one of my all time favorite fruits of the summer, it only makes sense that I add it to one of my favorite cocktails.  I’ve loved all the various flavored mojitos I’ve made the past few weeks, but I’d have to say this watermelon mojito just may have made it’s way to the top of the list.

Sweet, juicy watermelon, tart lime and cool mint are combined and marry perfectly in the cocktail.  A splash of rum is added to the mix and then it’s finished off with sweet, refreshing and fizzy ginger ale.  This cocktail perfection.

Watermelon Mojitos

Ingredients:


1/2 Lime, cut into quarters
12 Mint leaves, rinsed and roughly torn
3/4 Cup fresh watermelon, cut into cubes
3 Oz white rum
Ginger Ale or Sprite
Ice cubes or frozen watermelon chunks

Directions:


Divide lime, mint and watermelon between two glasses.  Using a muddle, gently press the ingredients to release the juices.  Add the rum, stir combine.  Fill the glass with ice or a mix of ice and frozen watermelon cubes.  Top off with ginger ale or sprite and serve immediately.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Blackberry Limeade Floats

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I think it’s safe to say that we’ve reached the appropriate temps to refer to the weather as scorching.  Mid-July is when mother nature really decides to open the infernos and show us what she’s truly capable of.  While she’s not fanning those flames as much as she has in years passed, we are teetering on some of the warmest temps we’ve seen this year.  And well, it’s just downright hot.

We’re beating the heat by consuming ice water by the buckets, cranking up the sprinklers, and turning the water park into our second home.  Sometimes all of that just doesn’t cut it.  An ice cold, sweet treat isn’t only desired, it’s necessary.

Some of the fondest memories of my childhood were spent sitting on the wooden benches on the square in my hometown, holding a big ol’ waffle cone full of mint chocolate chip ice cream.  The sunshine beaming down on me and streams of minty green ice cream running down my arms.  But it was all in the name of staying cool and savoring every last drop of my beloved ice cream.

Much hasn’t changed over the years.  I still require those cool treats when the summer starts getting unbearable.  A glass of tangy, cold limeade is truly refreshing on a hot day.  A float is another one of those undeniably amazing summer treats.

So what happens if those two come together?

I’ll tell you.  Only the best thing to hit those taste buds ever.  Think about it; tangy, tart limeade complimented and toned down by creamy, cool ice cream.  Um, yes please.  I’ll take 3!

Flavored sparkling water, a few fresh blackberries, fresh lime juice and ginger ale are all mixed together and poured over creamy vanilla ice cream.  You get the fizz required by all floats from the ginger ale and the sparkling water, but you also get that tartness so desired by a glass of limeade.  It sounds like it might be a bit much, but I promise it’s not.  They all come together to create an awesomely mind-blowing drink that will cool you down on the hottest of summer days!  

Blackberry Limeade Floats

Ingredients:


2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
3 Large blackberries
1 Tsp sugar
1/2 Cup black raspberry Sparkling Ice water
1/2 Cup ginger ale
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
2 Old fashioned glasses

Directions:


Place blackberries in a glass, using a muddle, gently press the berries to mash and release the juices. Add the lime juice and sugar and stir to combine.  Add the sparkling water and ginger ale and gently stir to incorporate.

Place one scoop of ice cream in each glass.  Divide the berry mixture evenly between the two glasses, top off with more ginger ale if needed.

Recipe source: A Lynsey original

Pool Punch Granita

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You can tell when summer has officially hit because those lines at the snow cone stands are a mile long no matter what time you pass them.  People flock to those stand for cups of the piled high shaved ice coated with their favorite flavored syrups.  And honestly, what’s better that flavored ice on a hot summer day?

Not much!

Unless you can have that cool frozen treat right in the comfort of your own home.  As long as you have a freezer, pan and 2 forks that’s all you need.  No thousand dollar shaved ice machine or any other special equipment.  We’re talking basics!

This isn’t your typical snow cone.  This, my friends is a granita.

A little backstory about the meager granita, just in case you haven’t heard of it before now.  It’s a frozen treat that originates from Sicily.  Typically, it’s a combination of water, sugar and whatever you want to flavor it with.  Fruit, sweet tea and mint, some of your favorite beverages.  The options are truly endless.  After you’ve established your flavor profile, mix it together, pour it in a shallow dish and pop it in the freezer.  Every so often, remove the mixture from the freezer, gently scrape with a fork and returned to the freezer.  In the end you’re rewarded with an Italian style frozen icee.


Snow cone stands have nothing on granitas.  Instead of taking ice cubes, grinding them up and pouring flavored syrup on them, the actual ice in granitas is made out of the actual flavoring, allowing you to enjoy the full flavors of your treat until the very last drop…no watering down of the flavors here!

Since my little guy is currently obsessed with any and all things involving ice; slushes, icees, ice pops, and snow cones and the list truly goes on an on.  I decided to make this granita utilizing flavors that would appeal to him, and this particular recipe only requires 2 ingredients.  That’s right, 2!

His drink of choice at practically every meal is lemonade, so that was an obvious ingredient.  And, every time we go to the store he’s always eyeballing those brightly colored fruit flavored drinks, so I quickly snagged a bottle of blue stuff since it’s his favorite color.

Tangy, tart lemonade combined with sweet, blue fruit punch; the combination is truly delicious.  Mixing this up and pouring that beautiful crystal blue beverage over ice is perfectly refreshing and tasty; but once it’s frozen and put into snow cone form it is the perfect treat to help us beat the heat and bring out the kid in all of us!  

Pool Punch Granita

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Blue Hawaiian Punch
1 1/2 Cups Yellow Lemonade

Directions:


Pour punch and lemonade in an 8×8 pyrex dish, stir to combine and place in the freezer.  Allow to chill for about 45 minutes, remove from freezer and use a fork to gently scrape the ice and break up any chunks.  Return to freezer and repeat the scraping process every 15-20 minutes for about 2-3 hours, until you’ve reached the desired consistency and texture.  Spoon in bowls and serve.

*Alternately, if you just can’t wait a couple of hours for it to freeze, just mix it up and pour over ice.  Or you could put the drink and ice in a blender to make a quick icee.

*This could easily be made into an adult beverage by adding a splash of your favorite spirit.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Frozen Coconut Limeade

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I don’t know about other places, but I do know it’s hot here in The Natural State.

It’s mid-July, so yes it’s mid summer and it’s supposed to be hot.  But here in Arkansas it’s not just a regular heat, it’s unbearably hot days that are only getting hotter.  We haven’t hit actual 100 degree temps, yet, but that heat index has sure felt like 100-110.  Stepping outside, out of the comforts of your cool, air conditioned house can easily be described as stepping into a hot, humid sauna that takes your breath away.  Yes, it’s lovely.

So, to survive the sweltering heat cold beverages are a must.
I love lemonades and limeades.  There’s something so delicious and refreshing about those cheek-puckering, tart beverages.  The basic lemon and limeades are great, but I so enjoy playing with different flavor combos.  Strawberry, cherry, blackberry, I mean the options are endless.

Another one of my favorite flavor combos is lime and coconut.

Just saying that makes me think of that song…put the lime and the coconut and mix it all together.

So you know, that’s what I did.  I took that tangy lime juice, smooth, subtly sweet and creamy coconut and some ice and I threw it in a blender and mixed it all together.

And you know what?  I think I have a new favorite drink.  This frozen coconut limeade is nothing short of absolutely amazing!  It’s all the goodness of a tart limeade, the coolness of a slushie and slightly creamy like a milkshake.

So go ahead, embrace the warm summer sun and all the heat that comes along with it.  Because you’ve now got an awesomely delicious way to beat the heat!

Frozen Coconut Limeade

Ingredients:


1/2 Cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 Cup cream of coconut*
3 1/2 Cups ice

Directions:


Combine lime juice, cream of coconut and ice in a blender and blend until smooth.  Divide mixture between two glasses, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.

*Cream of coconut can be found on the cocktail mixers isle at your grocery store.
*To make this an adult frozen beverage add a glug or two of Malibu rum or vodka.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

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