Hibiscus Cooler

I found this recipe in Vegetarian Times magazine and was drawn to it because it looked like a fruity and fun summer drink.

This recipe comes from Vegetarian Times July/August 2013, page 58.

Ingredients:
-3 hibiscus tea bags
-½ cup sugar
-4 cups pineapple juice
-6 oz. white rum, optional
-½ cup plus 1 Tbs. light coconut milk
-6 fresh pineapple slices, for garnish
-Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

In one cup and a half of boiling water, steep three to four hibiscus tea bags.
Strain and discard the tea bags after fifteen minutes. 

Stir in the sugar and bring back to a boil, reduce the heat and cook fifteen minutes.
Place in the freezer until the mixture becomes syrupy. 

If you're no using right away, transfer the syrup into a container or bottle until ready to use.

To make the drink  Fill glasses with ice. Add 2/3 cup pineapple juice plus 1 oz. rum to a glass. Then add 1 1/2 Tbs. coconut milk, and drizzle 2 Tbs. hibiscus syrup over coconut milk. Garnish with pineapple slices and drink umbrellas.

This drink was good the pineapple juice was one of the strongest flavors, the coconut milk had a lighter flavor than I thought it would. The hibiscus syrup gave the drink a floral flavor and aroma. I really enjoyed the color of the drink, I think that the deep pink made it look fun for summer. Over all this recipe was a success.

Mimosas made with Cara Cara Oranges

I love mimosas, they're the perfect drink when you want a beverage that's light. This recipe from What's Gabby Cooking? is perfect for your next brunch or bridal shower. This recipe called for using blood oranges, but we had some issues finding blood oranges (which has been all figured out for next time, they're at my grocery store and not at Becky's) so we used Cara Cara oranges instead, which also have pink flesh, like a grapefruit.

Ingredients: 
-1 bottle pink chamagne
-3 Cara Cara oranges

Juice your oranges, there should be several tablespoons worth of  juice. 

Top with champagne. 

  

Garnish with slices of Cara Cara oranges.

I really wish that we had been able to find blood oranges, but the pink flesh of the Cara Cara oranges was really pretty with the pink champagne. It was a nice twist on a traditional mimosa.

Birthday Cocktail

Happy Birthday to Alecia!

                                                

In honor of her birthday we whipped up this delicious Birthday Cocktail. You can find the original blog at Sips, Etc. She's going to be really busy the next few days celebrating with her family and J. but there will be a new restaurant review on her Sunday blog.  

This is another blog with great photos from Kayla.

Other recipes Kayla has guest photographed for: Lucky Charm Doughnuts, Poutine with Guinness Gravy, Rust City Buffalo Sauce, Twice Baked Red Potatoes, Corn Risotto, King Cake Cocktail and Smore's Cake.

Ingredients:

-2 shots pineapple juice
-2 shots cranberry juice
-1 shot vanilla rum
-Ice
-Vanilla frosting
-Sprinkles

Rim the glass with frosting.

Pour sprinkles on a plate.

Dip the rim in the sprinkles.

The sprinkles really give it a good touch.

Add the juices, vodka, and ice to a shaker.
Pour in the glasses.

Drop a spoonful of
frosting in the glass.

Quickly add a candle. It should
be able to stand up in the frosting.

This was one of the best cocktails we have made so far. It was really fun to have a candle and frosting in a glass. It also tasted the best, I think because it was more juice than it was alcohol.

Tequila Bramble

When we went to England I had a delicious blackberry infused cocktail in the airport before our flight to Manchester. 

I'm back from my mini vacation! My boyfriend I went away for the weekend with my college roommate so that gave me the perfect opportunity to try some new recipes.

This blackberry drink from Pinterest was a must try. 

Ingredients:
-5 blackberries
-3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
-Crushed ice
-1/2 ounce agave nectar
-1/2 ounce of crème de mûre (blackberry-flavored liqueur)
-1 1/2 ounces tequila

This recipe makes one drink.

Muddle the blackberries with the lime juice.

Add the agave syrup. 

Add crushed ice and other ingredients. 

Two out of three of us really liked this drink -- the other thought that it was too tart. I personally really liked this drink, I think the blackberries were delicious and there wasn't an overwhelming alcohol taste which is what I hate about some cocktails.

I tried out a lot of great recipes this weekend and have a lot of great fall recipes planned for the rest of the week (I have a surplus of apples because we went apple picking) so check back soon!!