On the Menu: Delicious Homemade Lemonade

During the hot Summer months nothing, and I mean nothing, beats an ice cold drink. Also, during this time I don't have work since school is out for break and Tracy has more days off then too. We like to mix together a cool drink in the morning and refrigerating it until lunch. Lunch usually consists of some kind of sandwiches and with our fruity drinks we like to eat lunch out on the deck. At lunchtime it is still a shady spot so we can avoid the heat of direct sunlight. But sitting out the deck we can observe all kinds of cute creatures. We love watching the beautiful cardinals and blue jays flying about. Also a huge bunny family lives nearby so they are constant visitors. Then there are the squirrels and the deer that frequent the place too. So we enjoy a nice lunch, good conversation, and cute animals.

One Summery drink that Tracy loves in lemonade. She drinks it all the time. She doesn't drink soda, so lemonade is a favorite of hers. Whenever I go to Chick-fil-a she always requests a large lemonade. She thinks theirs is best because it isn't too sweet favored. So when I was making this lemonade recipe, I only used a cup of sugar and it turned out just right, not too sweet. If you prefer it a little on the sweet side you might need to add a little more sugar. So make the recipe and then taste test to see what you want to do.

If you love lemon flavors then you also need to try Lemon Crumb Cake, Luscious Lemon Velvet Cake, and Lemon Brownies. They all have a delicious, light flavor.



Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 cup Sugar
5 cups Water

Instructions
1. You will need to squeeze the juice from your lemons, it took me around 12 lemons to get the right amount of juice.
2. In a pitcher mix the lemon juice and sugar together. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Then add the water. Stir together.
4. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

On the Menu: Refreshing Popsicle Punch

Are you looking for a cool and refreshing drink? Fight the heat with a punch made with popsicles. The cool chunks of frozen popsicles will melt and add a great slushiness to the drink that would be perfect for a hot Summer day. Plus with only two ingredients needed it is so easy and quick to make.



Ingredients
Popsicles
Ginger Ale

Instructions
1. Grab the glasses you will be using for this drink. Chop up your popsicles and fill each glass. I bought a mixed box of popsicles and filled each glass with the same flavor. My flavor choice was lime and the other in the photos used cherry. You can use the flavors you like.
2. After the glass is filled with popsicle pieces pour the ginger ale in. I had this chilled so that the popsicle pieces wouldn't melt that fast. You can use Sprite if you want.
3. You want to serve this a few minutes after fixing. This gives a few minutes for the popsicles to slightly melt and add flavor and color to the drink. Don't wait too long though or the pieces will be completely melted.

6 Cocktails To Ring In The New Year

Mango Raspberry Bellinis
Ginger Honey Cocktail
Coconut Vanilla Bellinis
Champagne Etoile
Bruleed Grapefruit and Gin Fizz
Winter Wonderland Martini

Where has 2014 gone?! The new year is about to spring on us and I am not quite sure I am prepared. I typically opt to ring in the new year watching the ball drop at home in my pajamas. I have rounded up 6 delicious and festive cocktails that will help you celebrate the arrival 2015 whether you are partying with friends or having a quite night at home.

On the Menu: The Pink Flamingo

Sometimes a girl just needs a cute, cool drink to enjoy. The Pink Flamingo is a simple, nonalcoholic drink. It is beautiful and refreshing. I definitely want to serve this the next time I have the girls over. It just makes things seem special.



Ingredients
Bag of Pink Cotton Candy
2 Liter Bottle of Sprite (cold)

Directions

Fill a glass with cotton candy, you do not have to push it down into the glass. Pour Sprite over the cotton candy. It will dissolve and you will be left with a beautiful pink drink. Serve and enjoy. Do not make ahead of time.

On The Menu: Sparkling Cranberry Lemonade

This drink is perfect for a hot Summer day. It is so simple to whip it up in a minute and then let it chill in the fridge or go ahead and serve with ice. I find most cool drinks to be too sweet tasting and this was just perfect.


Ingredients
12oz Frozen Lemonade Concentrate (thawed)
2 quarts Cranberry Cocktail Juice
1 quart Sparkling Water

Directions
Mix the lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice together. Chill. Add the sparkling water right before serving.

On The Menu: Sparkling Pink Punch

Drinking water is one healthy habit that I am super good at. In fact, I almost exclusively only drink water but occasionally it is fun to switch it up. A couple weeks ago to celebrate the arrival of spring I made this easy and very pretty Sparkling Pink Punch. The tart cranberry and the sweet lemonade is a great favor combination. I made a family friendly version but you could easily substitute the sparkling water for some sparkling wine or Champagne.

Ingredients:
1 (12 oz.) Pink Frozen Lemonade Concentrate
4 cups Strawberry White Cranberry Juice Cocktail
1 quart Sparkling Water (chilled)
Lemon Slices

Directions:
1. In a large pitcher mix together the strawberry white cranberry juice cocktail and the pink frozen lemonade concentrate.
2. Chill for a few hours.
3. Stir in the chilled sparkling water right before serving.
4. Pour into glasses and garnish with lemon slices.

Winter Drink Recipes

During the winter months I crave hot drinks. These are delicious and are excellent at warming you up after you have been out in the cold. Recently, Tracy treated me to hot chocolate at Starbucks. This week I thought I would share some yummy looking recipes for wintery drinks that I have discovered online. Don't you just crave hot drinks and Christmasy flavors during the cold winter months?

Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate

Earl Grey Chocolate Shakes

Peppermint Eggnog

Christmas Cookie Shots

Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

This strawberry lemonade was a perfect easy to make summer drink. The combination of the sweet strawberries and the tart lemon is delicious and the club soda gives it a little fizz that makes it feel special. 


Ingredients: 
1 pint strawberries
2 cups lemon juice 1 cup water 
1 1/4 cup sugar 
2 cup club soda or sparkling water 


Directions:
1. Make a simple syrup by heating the water and sugar together in a medium sauce pan to a boil and then reducing heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is melted. Then remove from heat and allow to cool. 
2. Clean strawberries and then puree in a blender.

3. In a pitcher combine the simple syrup, lemon juice, and pureed strawberries. Place in refrigerator.

4. Right before serving add the club soda or sparking water. Stir and pour into glasses. 5. Add a couple strawberries to each glass.

Summer Drinks

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There is no better way to beat the summer heat on a hot day than with a cool summer drink. I love spending relaxing evenings dining al fresco on my deck with a refreshing, colorful drink. Even better when there is plenty of fruit for garnish. I suggest these recipes Raspberry Lemonade, Popsicle Champagne, Sparking Italian Lemonade, and White Sangrias.