Drinks/Beverages

Mixed Berry Mojito

July 27, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely loving this mojito Monday series. And what’s not to love? Is there any better way to start off your week than with a delicious and refreshing cocktail?

Mojitos are seriously the perfect cocktail. The perfect amount of tartness, not too sweet and perfectly refreshing.

This week I made you a mojito loaded with fresh berries, mint, lime,, sugar and rum. It’s truly summer in a glass.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it can and it does. It only takes about 5 minutes to throw this cocktail together and then you’re sipping pure, sweet satisfaction.

Start by muddling the berries, lime, mint and sugar. Then add rum, ice and ginger ale and stir. Viola. That’s it. If the berry seeds bother you, simply strain the berry mixture before adding the remaining ingredients.

I could go on and on about just how good these mojitos are and list a gazillion reasons why you should try them, but that would just mean it would be that much longer before you could enjoy them yourself. So I’ll hush so you can make your way to your kitchen to make one of these for yourself.

Cheers!

Mixed Berry Mojito

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup mixed berries ( I used blackberries, blueberries and raspberries)
1/2 Lime, cut in quarters
12 Mint leaves
4 Tsp sugar
3 Oz Rum
Ginger ale

Directions:

Divide berries, lime, mint leaves and sugar between two glasses. Using a muddle, gently press the ingredients to release the juices. Add 1 1/2 ounces rum to each glass, stir to combine. Fill the glasses with ice, top off with ginger ale, stir and enjoy.

Recipe source: A Lynsey original

Blueberry Moscow Mule

July 23, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

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

Pina Coco Mojito

July 21, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

Picture yourself on the beach, toes buried in the sand, the sun beaming down and the waves rolling in and crashing on the shore. Now, doesn’t that sound amazing? Could it get any better?

Well, believe it or not, it actually can. By adding a cold drink in your hand.

When I think of the beach, I instantly think of pina coladas. The combination of rich, creamy coconut and tart, sweet pineapples all mixed together in the frozen, slushy drink. It screams summer and it screams “beach drink”!

I honestly didn’t think I could enjoy a pina colada any more than I already do, but I’ve proven myself wrong. I combined two of my favorite cocktails and you know what? My mind was seriously blown with just how stinkin’ good this drink was.

The pina coco mojito is what you get if the classic mojito and pina colada were to have a baby. And it’s the most delicious thing ever.

You get that creamy coconut and sweet pineapple from pina colada, the refreshing mint and tart lime from the mojito and they all marry together perfectly. This drink is ah-maz-ing and it goes down so very easily. So, I recommend making them in bulk so the refills can flow easily (and hydrating before consuming)!

So go bury those toes in the sand, listen to those waves crash in and have this pina coco mojito in your hand. Oh…and if you can’t make it to the beach, make a batch of these, go outside and plop yourself in a chair, sip on the goodness that is this drink and imagine being on the beach!

Cheers!

Pina Coco Mojito

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup shredded, sweetened coconut
3/4 Cup cream of coconut
1/2 Cup pineapple juice
12 Mint Leaves
1/2 Lime
5 Tsp sugar
3 Oz Rum
Ginger Ale

Directions:

Place coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in a 300 degree preheated oven until golden brown. Keep an eye on the coconut, it will go from golden to burnt quickly. Remove and allow to cool.

One the coconut is cooled, use a lime wedge to run around the rim of each glass. Roll in toasted coconut to coat.

Combine the pineapple juice, mint leaves, lime and sugar in a large glass. Using a muddle, gently press the ingredients to release the juices and incorporate the sugar. Add the cream of coconut and rum and stir to combine.

Fill each rimmed glass with ice, pour equal parts of the mixture in each glass. Top off with ginger ale, gently stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge, chunk of pineapple and mint leaves, if desired. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Watermelon Mojitos

July 14, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

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

Pool Punch Granita

July 9, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

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

July 8, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

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

Homemade Orange Italian Cream Soda

July 7, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

It’s undeniable, both kids and adults alike thoroughly enjoy sipping on fun beverages. Especially when sitting poolside. Although it seems like the kiddos get left out of the fun a lot of the time because most of those fun drinks with the little umbrellas contain some giggle juice. And they honestly don’t understand why in the world they can’t have a sip of that fun, colorful drink with the mini umbrella and cherries.

And, I honestly don’t blame them. Why can’t they get one of those drinks that’s packed with all their favorites; fruit, cherries, whipped cream and a fun, paper umbrella?

Well, they can. Cream sodas are a favorite of all; it doesn’t matter if you’re 5 or 95, everyone likes that creamy, fizzy beverage. And it’s a plus if it’s flavored.

What’s not a plus? Well, paying that hefty price that restaurants and soda fountains have attached to the beloved favorite. So, instead of dropping a wad of cash for a bit of relaxation and nostalgia make your own at home.

Wow your guests, impress your kiddos and bask in the simple, yet amazing flavors of your own, homemade cream soda. There are about 100 flavor combinations you could use in these homemade sodas, the options are endless.

I let Tucker take the reigns on this one and gave him full creative control and he opted for orange vanilla. I couldn’t find orange Torani syrup, so I pursued the snow-cone isle in Wal-Mart and found some flavor packets and one of them just happened to be orange. So, I added a little powder to a cup along with some water, stirred it together and we had our own orange flavored syrup.

These drinks came together in about 60 seconds, which is the perfect amount of time when you’ve got a kiddo watching you and intensely awaiting the awesomeness that is homemade Italian cream soda. The bright, cherry orange color didn’t help him contain his excitement either. The wow factor was taken up about a million notches when he saw the the half and half hit the soda mixture and streams of cream oozed through the ice cubes and struck through the bright orange soda. As if that weren’t enough, topping them with whipped cream and a cherry truly sealed the deal!

Slightly tangy from the orange with the subtle undertone of vanilla, a creaminess from the half and half and some fizz thanks to the addition of club soda. It’s the perfect mix of flavors. These sodas are an ideal beverage to sip on poolside, the perfect afternoon treat, and a wonderful option to wow guests pre or post meal. They can me customized by using your favorite flavor combos as well as for any holidays.

So, go ahead, make your own Italian cream soda in the comfort of your own home!

Homemade Orange Italian Cream Soda

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups club soda
1/3 Cup orange flavor syrup (Torani or even snow cone syrup)
1/4 Cup vanilla flavor syrup
4 Tbsp half and half
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherries

Directions:

Combine the orange and vanilla syrup in a small cup and stir to combine, set aside. Divide the club soda evenly between 2 glasses. Next, pour even amounts of the syrup mixture into each glass and stir to combine. Fill both glasses two-thirds full with ice. Slowly pour 2 tablespoons of half and half into each glass. Top with whipped cream and cherries.

Serve to guest, along with a spoon to mix the half and half into the beverage before drinking.*

*Alternately, you may mix the half and half into the soda and flavored syrups before topping with the whipped cream and cherries.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Cherry Mojitos

June 30, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

You know the saying, “Don’t go to the grocery store on an empty stomach”?

I have to admit, that’s a wise rule. But I also admit it’s not one I adhere to 100% of the time. And I can tell those times when I have gone to the store on an empty stomach, because when I start unloading my groceries I look at all the stuff I’ve come home with and wonder why in the world I even put that in my cart.

One thing, that I can never resist is fresh cherries. It doesn’t matter if I’ve just eaten or my stomach is turning inside out from hunger pains, I can’t walk by the cherry display without popping a bag in my cart. I think my grocery store knows my weakness too, because immediately when entering the store there’s a huge display of fresh cherries that greet me. I mean, I literally have to walk around them to get to the produce section. So, without hesitation I snag a bag of those delicious juicy cherries, plop them in my cart and continue with my shopping.

Cherries are one of my all-time favorite fruits. My mom couldn’t keep them in stock. She’d walk in with a bag and I’d snag them, head outside and devour those delicious bits of goodness. My obsession with this little fruit hasn’t weakened over the years, if anything it’s only gotten stronger. And, that love for cherries has definitely been passed down to my little guy.

When we pass the cherry display at the store it’s almost a race to see who can get them in the cart first. Once he spots them and gets them in the cart I can’t get through the store fast enough, he’s ready to get home and start snacking on them!

So, it’s no surprise I can’t keep cherries on hand long enough to make anything I’ve dreamed up or pinned over time.

With the latest purchase of this households favorite fruit I was bound and determined to make at least one thing; whether it be a beverage or dessert. I was going to make something.

So, I decided to make cherry mojitos. Mixing one of my favorite fruits ever with one of my favorite cocktails ever just seemed like a no-brainer. There wasn’t any baking or marinating involved which meant I could enjoy my creation immediately. Well, almost immediately…I did have to do a little photo shoot of it in all it’s glory for all of you folks.

Right after I unloaded the rest of the groceries I snagged a handful of cherries before my little cherry thief took off with the bag. I quickly removed the seeds, dropped them in a glass along with some mint, lime and a little sugar and muddled it all together. I then added a glug of rum, some ice and club soda, gave it a stir and then ~~started sipping~~ set it up for it’s shoot.

I have to admit I scooted through this photo shoot rather quickly because it was complete and utter torture. This cocktail was looking at me through the camera and calling my name. I snapped a few photos and quickly picked it up and took one sip to end the torture.

Oh-ma-goodness folks. This was worth the wait. I have to say, this is neck and neck with the original mojito as one of my favorite drinks. Juicy, sweet cherries, tart lime, fresh mint and a little soda water for some fizz. Oh my.

This, my friends is summer in a glass.

Cherry Mojitos

Ingredients:

12 Cherries, washed, pitted and stems removed
1/2 Lime, cut into 4 wedges
14 Mint leaves
5 Tsp sugar
3 Oz white rum
Club soda

Directions:

Divide cherries, lime wedges, mint leaves and sugar between 2 glasses. Using a muddle, gently press the ingredients to release the fruit juices and incorporate the sugar. Add the rum and stir to combine. Fill the glasses with ice, top with club soda and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh cherries and a lime wedge, if desired. Enjoy.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

Blueberry Mojitos

June 23, 2015 by Lynsey Leave a Comment

When I think summer I think warm sunny days, amazing sunsets, trips to the lake and beach and the list goes on. Another thing that I get absolutely giddy about when the warmer weather starts rolling in is all the fresh fruits, berries, veggies and herbs. Nothing beats them.

And some fresh berries and herbs in a cocktail. Well, that’s just downright amazing.

These particular mojitos were the ones that secured the fate of #MojitoMonday. What’s not to love about the combination of tart lime, sweet blueberry, fresh mint and a little sugar? It’s light, refreshing and slightly fizzy, just enough to tickle the tip of your nose when your indulging in it’s gloriousness.

Gloriousness, is that even a word? Oh, well. At this point it doesn’t even matter. Because this blueberry mojito is glorious.

These mojitos are just as simple and come together just as quickly as the traditional ones, but have that awesome, sweet blueberry flavor in the mix.

I honestly don’t know what else to say. There’s no labor intensive process or special techniques to cocktails, especially these. Simply throw the ingredients a cup, muddle the fruit to release those juices, add your liquor and ice and top off with a little fizz. That’s it.

So, instead of boring you with random facts about this cocktail I’ll hush now so you can go run, literally, to the store and snag the ingredients for these.

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, so go ahead and sip up those warm summer days and beautiful sunsets with the sweet, tart and refreshing flavors that are this blueberry mojito!

Blueberry Mojitos

Ingredients:

Half lime, cut into quarters
12-14 Mint leaves, removed from stem and roughly torn
4 Tsp sugar
1/2 Cup fresh blueberries
3 Oz white rum
Club soda

Directions:

Divide lime, mint leaves, sugar and blueberries evenly between 2 glasses. Using a muddler, gently press to release the juices. Add the rum and stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice, the top off with soda. Stir, garnish with a lime if desired and enjoy.

Recipe source: A Lynsey Original

SRC: Frozen Nutella Hot Chocolate

June 22, 2015 by Lynsey 15 Comments

During the winter months a tall cup of rich, thick hot cocoa is a necessity. It’s good for the soul and truly does help cure that frost bite.

Sometimes a hankering for that smooth, chocolate goodness arises in the summer. But when it’s 90 degrees pushing 1000 the last thing anyone wants to do is sip on some steaming cocoa. Gosh, just the thought of that makes me miserable.

So, what do we do when we’re in that predicament? The predicament of wanting silky, rich hot chocolate when it’s extremely hot outside. Well, put it on ice, of course!

See, this month for Secret Recipe Club I was purusing Dorothy’s blog, Shockingly Delicious and I was intrigued by oh, all of her recipes. I mean, I didn’t get through the first page without drooling. Which, I should have been ready for since the happens every time I peruse her blog. But, I scrolled through page after page of mouthwatering recipes, and when one of the pages popped up I saw a recipe for Nutella Hot Chocolate. I went on and looked through other recipes, even referred to some of the ones I’ve bookmarked over time. But the damage had already been done. I was craving nutella hot chocolate, and something bad.

But we’re experiencing weather in the 90’s where it feels like the 100’s right now. The last thing I want to do is sip on hot chocolate. So, I put it over ice and blended it. Now I’m positive the original hot chocolate version is amazing, but this frozen version is downright awesome.

Now, Dorothy says her recipe for Nutella hot chocolate is a “d’oh recipe”, but nonetheless it’s a recipes and it rocks! So, Dorothy, I hope you don’t mind that I modified it a bit to quench my craving for this awesomeness during these warmer months.

Folks, milk is warmed to allow the Nutella to melt when it’s added. I added another tablespoon of dark chocolate just to amp up that chocolate flavor. Because, in my book you can never have too much chocolate. Once it had a chance to cool for just a moment, I poured it over ice and blended until smooth. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate and pop a straw in that bad boy and you are on your way to pure and utter bliss!

Frozen Nutella Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cup milk
1 1/2-2 Tbsp Nutella
1 Tbsp dark chocolate chunks
1 1/2 Cups ice

For garnish-
More chocolate chunks
Whipped cream
Chocolate syrup

Directions:

Place milk in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Once the milk is warmed through and begins to steam, remove from heat and add Nutella and chocolate and stir to combine.

Allow to cool slightly.

Place nutella mixture and ice in a blender, turn on high until well blended. Pour into a glass, garnish and enjoy.

Recipe source: barely adapted from Shockingly Delicious

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