The Sarasota

This was an easy summer drink to throw together.  I'd seen it posted on Pinterest numerous times and my sister-in-law made it one weekend for a family gathering.  So I thought it would be perfect for a summer party with my girlfriends.

The ingredients are super simple:

2 bottles of white Moscato (750 mL each)

1 12 oz. frozen pink or raspberry lemonade concentrate

3 cups Sprite

Raspberries

You will need a vessel large enough for all of the ingredients.  My go-to pitcher at home was too small.  So I actually mixed everything in a large stock pot and then transferred it into a pitcher and put leftovers in another container.

First, take a small container of raspberries, dump them into a bowl and crush the heck out of them.  I just smashed them with a fork for awhile.  Then put all of the liquid ingredients into your vessel.  Add your crushed raspberries.  Stir and chill.  Pour into a glass and garnish with more raspberries.

Yummy, yummy?  No thanks.  I actually am not a fan of white wine, so this drink isn't for me.  However, it received many compliments from the white wine drinkers!

Mojitos

A special thank you to close friends of ours for sharing their recipe with us!

8 oz. of freshly squeezed lime juice (about 5-6 limes)

1 cup fresh mint leaves (2 plastic containers at Kroger)

16 oz. of white rum

20 oz. club soda

8 oz. of simple syrup*

*What is simple syrup?  Regular simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, but 1.5 parts sugar to 1 part water is probably the happy medium for us.  We boiled 2 cups of water on the stove, added 3 cups of sugar.  Stirred and reduced heat a bit and continued stirring until sugar dissolved.  Mixture must completely cool and extra can be stored in fridge.  Our concoction made enough for 3 pitchers.

In pitcher, add lime juice and mint leaves and muddle.  A muddler is very handy for this.

Then add remaining ingredients and stir.

Pour into glass over ice. 

*This pitcher from Rubbermaid is awesome because it has an "ice guard" spout which for this keeps the mint leaves from tumbling out all over your glass. I found mine at Kroger for about $10.

Amaretto Slush

If you love a sweet, slushie cocktail, then this one is for you!

Ingredients:

2 cups brewed tea (2 cups water and 6 tea bags)
7 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar
2-12 oz. frozen lemonade (thawed enough to get it out of the can!)
1-12 oz. frozen orange juice (see above)
2 cups Amaretto

Mix all and freeze. Scoop into a glass, top with Sprite or 7 Up and garnish with a cherry and/or orange slice.

Now, truth be told, this is most likely not going to get you hammered.  I drank two of the above pictured in a short time frame and didn't feel a thing.  Which either means I drink too much regularly (not really) or that this is not really potent.  There's a LOT of water added to that Amaretto.   So if you are looking for a strong drink, this isn't it.  Search for a bourbon slush recipe instead.  However, this is VERY yummy and won't disappoint when it comes to taste.  Plus it just looks nice as well.  Very festive.

Original source: http://www.modhousewife.com/2011/09/mother-in-laws-amaretto-slush/

Banana Milkshake

Ingredients:
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large bananas

Directions:
Place two scoops ice cream into blender. Add milk and vanilla. Break bananas into 3 or 4 pieces and add to the blender. Cover and blend at high speed till smooth. Pour into tall glasses and serve.