Blueberry Cocktail

This ain’t rocket science.
Smirnoff Blueberry Vodka + Ocean Spray Blueberry Pomegranate Juice over ice = YUM
Enjoy!

Breakfast Smoothies

Instead of my usual piping hot cup(s) of coffee every morning I have been making these smoothies since the weather turned very warm a few days ago. Yum! I love the coffee-banana-peanut butter flavor! And they keep me full all morning.

To make the coffee ice cubes – brew a strong pot of coffee, let it cool, then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Transfer to a large storage bag and keep in the freezer.

Breakfast Smoothies
1 banana, sliced into chunks
1 (or two) heaping tablespoon of natural peanut butter {or I have been loving almond butter}
handful of coffee ice cubes (about 6)
1 cup vanilla soy or almond milk

Place everything in the blender, pulse until smooth.  Pour into glass.  Serves 2.

Up next I’m going to try a green monster smoothie:
1 banana (or any fruit/combo)
large handful of baby spinach leaves
1 cup vanilla almond milk
handful of regular ice cubes (or green tea ice cubes)
1/2 cup yogurt
1 tsp honey or agave nectar

It sounds like I need to get some flax seed and protein powder if I’m really going to get into these shakes? Thoughts?

Update 6/21/11:  I made the green monster smoothie yesterday morning and it was ok, but a little on the tangy side and tasted like it was missing something but I couldn’t figure out what.

I used:  1 medium banana that was sliced and frozen, handful of green tea ice cubes, handful of spinach leaves, 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 2 tsp agave nectar, and about 1/2 cup or so unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  I’m not sure what else it needs??

I guess I’m going to try adding blueberries and strawberries.

Random

These are really good!  I’m a beer girl through and through, so I’m usually not a fan of hard lemonade or other sweet bottled mixed drinks, but these are a different story!  Smirnoff Blueberry Lemonade. 🙂

Also, I’m excited about all of the shows returning to TV this fall!  I’m obsessed with so many shows!  Now, before you think I’m a crazy person who does nothing but watch TV, I don’t have to watch every show, every week.  If I miss a few {which I always do} it is no big deal.

Here’s what I watch:

Glee {I surprised myself by liking this one!}

NCIS and NCIS:  LA

Bones

How I Met Your Mother

Big Bang Theory

Rules Of Engagement

Cougar Town

Modern Family

Lie to Me

In Plain Sight

Wipeout

Two and a Half Men

Covert Affairs

The Good Guys

Flipping Out

Grey’s Anatomy

Private Practice

The Good Wife

Real Housewives of everywhere {seems like there is always one on?}

What I’m so glad I don’t watch and I give you all permission to kill me if I ever do: Jersey Shore, Big Brother, Bachelor/ette, Survivor, Amazing Race, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Criminal Minds, CSI anything, Law & Order, America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance,  American Idol, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, Mad Men, House, America’s Next Top Model.  Pretty much any competition show (except Wipeout).

I’m on the fence about: Brothers and Sisters, Parenthood, Mike & Molly

What will you be watching??

Hot Cider Punch

It is tradition for my family to have this delicious warm beverage at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other late fall and winter get togethers.  My mom has been making it for as long as I can remember!

I really like to use the crock pot for this, you can fix it and forget it!

Hot Cider Punch

1 gal. apple cider

1 can of frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup sugar

24 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

orange slices for garnish

Directions

In a very large soup/stock pot, combine first 6 ingredients and heat thoroughly, stir often.  Once sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot, turn heat to simmer or low and cover until ready to serve {I transfer to a crock pot at this point.}.  Punch will be cloudy.

Ladle into mugs and garnish with orange slices.

Variation – add Brandy  {We never do though}

Note – The last time I made this, I had a small issue with it being cloudy and a foam collecting at the surface.  I just skimmed it off before serving.  I think it had something to do with how filtered the cider was.  But the taste was not altered.

Unless you have a really big crock pot, you may need to add the mixture to the crock pot in batches.

 

Lemonade Slushie

This drink is one of my favorite summertime alcoholic beverages!  It is super easy to make and any leftover drink can be stored in the freezer for future consumption…like the next night.

Lemonade Slushie

recipe from the message board I visit – not sure who to give credit to.

1 can frozen lemonade concentrate (or limeade)

1 two liter bottle of 7-up or other citrus soda

1 can or bottle of beer (I prefer Bud Light Lime or Corona)

12 oz. Vodka (fill the empty lemonade can to measure)

sliced lemon for garnish

In a 2 quart freezer safe pitcher, pour in the lemonade concentrate.  Then add the vodka.  Then slowly pour in the beer.  Next, add enough soda to fill the pitcher (leaving room for expansion in the freezer).  You will not use the whole 2 liters of soda.  Slowly stir and then place in the freezer overnight. Due to the alcohol content, it will not thoroughly freeze.

When ready to serve, use an ice cream scoop to put frozen mixture into glass.  Fill the glass 3/4 full.  Then top with leftover soda.  Garnish with lemon slice.  Enjoy!

Or if you are feeling extra frisky, top frozen mixture in your glass with more beer instead of soda.  Yum!

Rum Slushies

With the beautiful warm weather that we experienced about a week ago, I was in the mood for a summery cocktail.  I turned to one of my favorite blogs and found the perfect  recipe.  It comes from Katie’s fabulous blog Good Things Catered.  These Rum Slushies are absolutely delicious!  You should make them today (even though there’s snow on the ground)!

Rum Slushies (I halved her recipe)

Ingredients:
1 (12oz) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
2 cans (use 12oz empty lemonade can) full of water
1.75 L orange juice (I used approximately 2 quarts)
2 and 1/2 c. spiced rum
1/4 c. grenadine
Ginger ale
Maraschino cherries

Directions:
-Combine first five ingredients in large, freezer safe container and stir to combine.
-Place into freezer and freeze at least 24 hours (it will not freeze all the way due to the alcohol content.)
-When ready to serve, fill glass 3/4 way with slush, top with ginger ale and stir well.
-Garnish with cherry and serve.

Leftovers can be stored back in the freezer for future use.