TAKE A SIP: BEST BLUEBERRY MOJITO

 Normally recipe days are Tuesdays...but I just couldn't hold this one back, because it's too good!

 It's been in the seventies in Wisconsin, which means optimal Mojito weather. 

I mean...I guess any weather could be optimal Mojito weather, but I'm just going to use these 70+ degree days as an excuse to share this, mmmmkay?

Here's what you'll need to make it happen:

 - Mint leaves

- Blueberries

- 2 tsps Sugar or simple syrup*

- 2 ounces White Rum

- Sprite or Soda water**

- Ice

* if ya don't have simple syrup, granulated sugar will work!

** sprite if ya like it sweet, soda water if you don't/

 How to make it happen:

Step 1: Muddle a few mint leaves + blueberries with your sugar & rum

Step 2: Add ice & top with sprite

Step 3: Garnish with mint leaves + blueberries

Step 4: ENJOY!

So yeah.

It's basically just a regular mojito but with blueberries instead of limes. But daaaaang it's good!

 What's your mid-70s summer drink?

If you don't have one yet- I highly recommend a blueberry mojito!

xo, lp

ps: for more drink recipes, go HERE!

pps: for instagram fun, go HERE!

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!

TAKE A SIP: SUMMER BERRY+CITRUS SANGRIA

Happy Summer, you beautiful people!

In case I haven't given you enough options for summer cocktails in the past, I figure I'd throw another one your way. This is a great drink to make for a big crowd- but can be scaled down for single serving as well. Despite the fact that it's fruity- it's surprisingly not super-duper sweet. To be honest, I don't really know what's ACTUALLY in sangria...but because this includes fruit steeping in booze, I'm gonna classify it as just that :)

 What you'll need to make it happen:

-1 Bottle Sweet White Wine (I used Barefoot Moscato)

- 1/2 cup Triple Sec

- 1 cup vodka (I used plain Svedka)

- 1 lemon

- 1 large orange

- handful of strawberries & raspberries, chopped

- Sprite or 7 up

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mix all ingredient but the Sprite together in a bowl or pitcher, including the fruit

Step 2: Add ice to a glass & fill 3/4 full of the sangria mixture

Step 3: Fill glass with ice & garnish with fruit & a lovely straw!

Step 4: ENJOY!

Clearly serving this in a mason jar is the right way to go....

 What's your crowd-pleasing summer drink of choice?

If anyone has a great Sangria recipe, I'd love to try it!

xo, lp

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for more drink recipes, go HERE

to find me on instagram, go HERE

TWIST ON THE CLASSICS: THE BASIL SALTY DOG (GIN + GRAPEFRUIT!)

Here's today's recipe, and it comes with a story...

Back in my college bartender days there was a time I was working that a middle-aged guy came in and asked for a Salty Dog.

Me, being 19 (yes, you can bartend before 21 in Wisconsin) giggled and asked what he REALLY wanted, since I thought he was joking.

He looked at me, puzzled...and repeated that he wanted a Salty Dog. My giggles quickly turned to embarrassment- and I ducked behind the cabinet to find my cheater-cocktail guide.

It was just Gin & Grapefruit juice with a salted rim. 

At the time I thought "Ew. That sounds like the WORST thing ever!" 

(Keep in mind this was my raspberry vodka & sprite phase days...yick)

So I made him the drink, and promptly went home that night to make one for myself to try it out- and it was deee-lish. Super tart, with a bite of gin and a lick of salt.

I'd completely forgotten about the refreshing drink until the other day, when I heard someone order it in a bar. I decided it was time to go home and put a little twist on this classic by adding some of the fresh basil we had growing on our balcony. Thus, I give you the Basil Salty Dog.

What you need to make it happen:

- 1.5 ounces Gin 

- Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

- Grapefruit wedge

- salt

- 3-4 basil leaves

- grapefruit wedge & small basil leaf for garnish

- ice

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Dip the rim of a glass in grapefruit juice, and roll in salt for a salted rim.

Step 2: Muddle 1 grapefruit wedge with a splash of gin & 3-4 basil leaves. Be careful not to muddle the pith/rind of the grapefruit or you'll get extra bitterness!

Step 3: Add ice, gin, and grapefruit juice to the glass.

Step 4: give it a stir, add your garnish, and enjoy!

There you have it, friends.

I know grapefruit juice is a polarizing drink...but I mean, it's summertime. Even you naysayers might be moved to try this because it's so dang refreshing!

Raise your hand if you love a good cocktail with grapefruit!

Or if you don't- leave a comment with your favorite summer cocktail!

xo, lp

need more summer drink ideas?

try my: orange ginger mojitos, pineapple lemonade punch, or raspberry bourbon fizz

also:

YOU!

yes you!

find me on instagram here ---> @lpodlich