Bikini Friendly Cocktails
Before you go ahead and order that Vodka Soda, check out these summer sips all under 200 calories…
Grape Soda
8 seedless red grapes
1-1/2 ounces grape juice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 ounces vodka
1-3 ounces soda water, to taste
Lemon wheel, for garnish
Directions
- In shaker or mixing glass, muddle grapes. Add in ice, grape juice, lemon juice and vodka.
- Shake vigorously, strain over lowball glass with ice, and top off soda water to taste. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Mojito
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 lime
3 sprigs mint
1.5 ounces light rum
Soda water
Directions
- Put the sugar in a highball glass (or any 8- to 12-ounce glass), squeeze in the juice of 1/2 small lime, and toss in the squeezed lime shell.
- Add mint sprigs and muddle for a moment. Then add the light rum and handful of ice, and fill with chilled soda water.
The Bramble
5 blackberries
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
Crushed ice (See YumSugar’s tip for an easy way to crush ice at home.)
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1/2 ounce of crème de mûre (blackberry-flavored liqueur)
1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
Directions
- In a rocks glass, muddle blackberries with lime juice.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice; add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Serve with a straw.
The Brazilian
1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
2 ounces cachaça
1/2 ounce agave nectar
2 ounces purée of tropical fruit, such as blended papaya and pineapple
1 ounce or more soda water, to taste
Lime wheel, for garnish
Directions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine all ingredients except soda. Shake vigorously.
- Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and top with soda. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Ginger Fizz
For cocktail:
1-1/2 ounces ginger vodka*
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce ginger syrup (see below)
Soda water
Ginger slice, for garnish
For ginger syrup:
2-1/2 cups water
1 cup fast-dissolving sugar (such as superfine sugar)
1 cup freshly grated ginger
Directions
- Make ginger syrup: Bring water, sugar, and grated ginger to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes; let cool.
- Make cocktail: In mixing glass, add ice, ginger vodka, lime juice, and ginger syrup. Shake vigorously; pour into a tall ice-filled glass.
- Top off glass with soda. Garnish with a ginger slice.
Words of Wisdom from Blair Waldorf
Frozen Chocolate Banana Recipe
Does it still count as a serving of fruit if its drenched in chocolate? I’d like to think so.
Here’s how to:
- Peel and slice bananas in half. I also slice off the tips so the bananas can (mostly) stand upright. You do what you like. Insert a lollipop stick or popsicle stick 2/3 into bananas and freeze for an hour.
- Melt chocolate chips and 1/2 tablespoon (or so) vegetable oil in a microwave safe container. I melt on high for 30 seconds, then stir the chocolate, melt another 30 seconds, stir, etc. until the chocolate is melted. Dip the frozen bananas in the chocolate, drizzle on additional chocolate using a spoon, then sprinkle on your toppings.
- Freeze the finished bananas until you are ready to serve. We usually eat ours within the day, but if you want to store them simply placed the chocolate covered bananas (once the chocolate is set) in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the freezer.
Delish!
Easy Elegant Updo
Welcome wedding season with this classic and chic updo. With a hairstyle this easy, you can focus on what’s really important…..what you’re going to wear.
Tada!
(Source: bloglovin.com)
DIY: Beaded Necklace
Thank you PS. I made this for yet another genius DIY project.
How to:
- Reach for thin material/fabric, cut into long strips (ps. the thinner, the better)
- Cut strips, angling the top, pinch ends to thread beads through.
- Classic pony beads are ideal and are available in a variety of colors. Get creative with color combos and spacing to create a staggering look. Make multiple strands for the ultimate summer statement necklace.
- Pair with beach attire and fresh mojitos…
