TAKE A SIP: BOOZY CHERRY LIMEADE (a twist on the classic!)

So a while back on this here blog I shared a recipe for the Dirty Shirley (an alcoholic kiddy cocktail). People were diggin' it- so I figured, why not take another childhood classic and do what I do best:

ADD. BOOZE.

So that's just what I did, folks...that's just what I did.

Here's the Boozy Cherry Limeade:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Svedka Cherry Vodka

- Frozen Limeade Concentrate

- Water, Ice

- Sprite

- Limes/Cherries for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mix together 2 ounces of cherry vodka with a tablespoon of limeade concentrate and 1/2 cup water. 

Step 2: Stir until well mixed, then add ice & a splash of Sprite

Step 3. Garnish and enjoy!

Funny thing is, unlike kiddie cocktails, I actually didn't even grow up drinking limeade- we were a lemonade family, through and through!

I'm fully willing, however, to exploit the loving wonderful childhood memories of others- so enjoy, you limeade-families :)

 What was your favorite childhood drink?

Let me know and I'll be sure to booze-it up on the blog soon!

xo, lp

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psssst: for more drink recipes, go HERE

for pictures of pretty things, go HERE!

12 COCKTAILS TO GET YOU READY FOR SUMMER!

Here's 12 reasons to look forward to summer...and to buy a ton of cute paper straws!

1. Fizzy Pineapple Lemonade Punch- you'll never guess what the secret ingredient is! 

2. Raspberry Bourbon Fizz- Bourbon, but ladylike.

3. Kiwi Berry Sangria- If you're feeling a little tropical

4. Not-so-Kiddie-Cocktail- aka the Dirty Shirley

5. Orange Ginger Mojitos- doesn't get more refreshing than these!

6. The Clemetini- the best way to get your Vitamin C

7. Nectarine Basil Lemonade- with or without vodka, you choose.

8. Raspberry Lemon Maritini- a whole lot of girly in one glass.

9. Brandy Slush- hands down the best summer drink EVER.

10. Mixed Berry Mojito- In case you can't pick a favorite berry!

11. Strawberry Lemon Candy Vodka- the sweetest there is.

12. Patriotic Icee Slush- for all you who love the red,white, and blue.

If you're not quite in the summer mood yet, be sure to pin this and make 'em later!

What's your favorite summery drink?

Bonus points if it's one of these!

xo, lp

TAKE A SIP: BRANDY SLUSH

 First things first- I KNOW the name of this drink isn't super glamorous or appealing, but I promise once you take your first sip, you won't care one bit! 

Here's what you'll need to make it happen (Serves 8-10 people)

- 1 container Lemonade concentrate

- 1 container Orange concentrate

- 2 cups brandy (feel free to use a cheap kind, you won't taste it!)

- 8 cups water

-Sprite 

- Optional garnish of oranges, lemons, cherries

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Thaw your lemonade & orange concentrate, and dump in a large bowl with the brandy and 8 cups water.

Step 2: Mix well!

Step 3: Either put bowl directly in freezer- or if you're in a hurry to freeze it faster, parcel the mixture out into 8x13 baking dishes- and put in freezer until a slushy mixture. Because of the booze, it won't freeze rock solid

Step 4: Fill your glass 3/4 way with the slush mixture, and top with Sprite

Step 5: Mix slightly and enjoy with a straw (or spoon!)

Brandy slushes are a great drink because they're sweet and fruit without being sugary at all. They're great for a brunch drink in place of a mimosa/bloody mary- or are just great for a refreshing beverage any other time of the day - especially in summer by the water!

Have you ever enjoyed a Brandy Slush?

If not- you've got to give them a try, they are beyond delicious!

xo, lp

**for more drink recipes, go here!

FIZZY (spiked) PINEAPPLE LEMON PUNCH

Two things made this post come together:

1. Michael is obsessed with pineapple, and we have had one in our fridge at all times this summer. It was begging to be used in a cocktail!

2. Back when we lived in Virginia for some reason we'd randomly get Mike's Harder Lemonade tallboys. Yeah. White trashy, I know. Legit just really strong alcoholic flavored lemonade sugar bombs. Feeling nostalgic, I got classy the other day and bought a couple of the regular lemon Mike's Hard Lemonade, and decided those were ALSO begging to be used in a cocktail.

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Thus, this fizzy pineapple lemon punch was born. This drink is great because it's fruity and refreshing without being cloyingly sweet. The fizz from the Mike's Hard Lemonade makes it light & lovely. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What you'll need to make it happen:

1/2 cup fresh pineapple (+extra for garnish)

1.5 ounces vodka

1/3 cup Mike's Hard Lemonade

Ice + Mint for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mash your 1/2 cup pineapple up. Either use a food processor- or do it in a bootleg way like I did- with a potato masher. There should be a lot of juice extracted!

Step 2: Pour your vodka, pineapple smash, and Mike's into a shaker with ice. Shake well!

Step 3: Pour into a lovely glass- garnish with pineapple chunks, mint, and a fun straw!

 (if you're looking for fun paper straws, I buy mine from an Etsy shop called Loollipop. Find them here!)

Simple, right? 

I think a GREAT way to serve this to a big group would be in a huge punch bowl- with plenty of pineapple chunks and ice!

Or, if you're going small scale there's something about serving a cocktail in a pretty glass .... and these fleur-de-lys juice glasses from Anthro are my favorite. Sorry in advance if you see a bunch of them in cocktail posts this summer:)

Any great fresh fruit cocktails up your sleeve?

Share them with me- or leave your Pinterest handle in the comments so I can see what summer drinks are inspiring you these days!

xo, lp

Looking for another yummy cocktail recipes? Try my Orange Ginger Mojitos!

(this post in NO way was sponsored by Mike's. I just figured it would be a good cocktail base. Yup.)