DIY Mocktail Bar

Sometimes skimming Pinterest can be a little disheartening for non-drinkers. Cocktails look so pretty in their fancy glasses with fresh fruits, herbs and bubbles. Well if you're not drinking alcohol for whatever reason, you're in luck. Here is a basic recipe to get you started experimenting with mocktails!

We set up a DIY bar at our Girls Day for ladies to create their own handcrafted soda/mocktail. It's so easy!

What You'll Need:
clear glasses
a muddling tool- we used a metal ice cream scoop
fresh, juicy fruit- we used blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries
a carbonated beverage- we had Ginger Ale and Sprite. (Plain club soda works as well but consider using agave nectar, simply syrup or honey for sweetness)
citrus- we used limes but lemons, oranges or grapefruit would be fantastic too.
(optional- herbs such as basil, mint, rosemary or lavender) 
ice 
pretty straws

What To Do:
Be sure all of your fruit, even citrus, is thoroughly washed!

In your fancy glass, muddle a handful of berries (or fruit of the choice) in the bottom. Pour ice and soda over the fruit. Squeeze citrus over the top and leave peel in the drink for added flavor. 

Garnish your drink with a slice of citrus and a pretty straw and enjoy!

The flavor combination possibilities are endless! Here are some to get your started:

peaches + club soda + honey + lemon

blackberries + Sprite + lime

strawberries + ginger ale + basil + orange 

blueberries and raspberries + club soda + agave nectar+ mint + lemon

What is your favorite mocktail?

Watermelon Limeade

This has been a summer of fun, fresh, fruit flavors- including strawberry pineapple lemonade (pureed strawberry, canned pineapple and lemonade powder), sparkling strawberry limeade, mango ague fresca, and now- watermelon limeade.

If you think biting into a juicy slice of watermelon is refreshing, wait until you take a sip of this balanced, sweet and tart, fresh fruit juice! The notes of watermelon leave a stunning pink color and a distinct taste- with almost the same hint as cucumber- light, lovely and summery. The limes add complementary tartness, coupled with simple syrup (or agave/honey/etc), to make this drink well-rounded. 

There is plenty of room to adjust according to taste with the recipe. In fact, I did not follow a recipe when I prepared the giant batch for our group- I just adjusted by taste. I am including estimations of how much you'll need, but adjust for your liking!

What You'll Need:
1 cup diced watermelon
2 cups cold water
2 limes
1/4 cup simple syrup*

What to Do:
In a blender, combine watermelon and water until homogeneous. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer to catch any seeds and pulp. Squeeze limes directly into watermelon mixture, add simple syrup, stir and pour over ice! 

*To make simple syrup, simmer one cup water with one cup sugar, stirring frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool and then measure and add to your drink!

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After posting on Instagram, my friend Jackie posted a photo of her girls making the watermelon limeade and I was so tickled! If you ever try a recipe I have posted, please let me know! I love seeing how they turn out in other people's kitchens :)

Mango Agua Fresca

Summer in Texas is hot. Especially when your car AC is out! This sweet, healthy treat is so refreshing and delicious, perfect for warm weather anywhere. 

It's full of fresh fruit juice and the simple syrup can be substituted with agave or honey if you're steering clear of processed sugars! The flavor can be adjusted with more or less water, syrup, or fruit. I made a huge batch with lots of flavor.  It actually might have bordered on mango limeade. Which is totally okay in my book. 

I can't wait to try this with different fruit flavor combinations!

What You'll Need:
(serves 2)

• 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 freshly squeezed lime
• 1/4 cup simple syrup*
• Lime wedge for garnish

What To Do:
Blend mango and water until completely smooth. Strain into a pitcher through a fine mesh strainer. Add lime juice and simple syrup and stir well. Add ice to glasses, pour  juice over and garnish with lime slices and a fancy straw!

*To prepare simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar. Stir over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved and allow to cool.

Recipe adapted from Whole Foods

Infused Water

As warmer weather approaches, I am reminded of the necessity of staying hydrated. [Okay actually I tried to sell plasma to raise money for a friend's mission trip and they told me I was too dehydrated to donate. Lame.]  And I don't actually like water. I would much rather have Dr. Pepper or iced coffee... or lemonade... or really anything with some flavor! In an effort to satisfy by taste buds and my hydration needs, several infused water flavors were tested.

So here are some simple and delicious ways that I spiced up my water- by infusing them with fruits, vegetables and herbs! I stored the water in Mason jars, mostly because they're airtight and I don't have any pitchers with lids. I removed the lime slices after 3-4 hours because the rind started to leave a funny taste in the water. 

Pineapple-Blueberry Infused Water. This flavor was really delicious! The blueberries tinted the water a pretty pink hue and the pineapple left sweet notes in every sip. 

Cucumber Lime, Blueberry Lime, and a mess of Cucumber, Lime, Jalapeno and Cilantro.

The Cucumber Lime water was crisp and refreshing! I really liked it. 

The blueberry lime was very pretty and pretty tasty as well- be sure to muddle the blueberries for more of their flavor! 

The spicy water was super spicy. If I do it again I will definitely cut down on the amount of jalapeno I use and how long I let it soak. 

I have gotten some great suggestions for other combinations to try such as strawberry basil, watermelon mint and raspberry lime. What is your favorite flavor of infused water?

Easy Cherry Limeade- and last day to enter giveaway!

So in addition to my Starbucks problem, I also have a Dr Pepper addiction. So in order to save some money and not buy several 12 packs of DP every time I go grocery shopping, I'm supplementing my beverage repertoire with other delicious drinks.

I drink water too, promise. I just love me some flavor.

This concoction is super easy too!

There are lots of ways to make a cherry limeade. Some involve lemon lime soda or heating fresh cherries to extract their flavor into a syrup. You can check out other methods here, here, or here.

For my recipe you'll need:

1 frozen limeade concentrate

1 bottle carbonated water

(sparkling water, club soda, seltzer water- take your pic)

Maraschino cherry syrup

Prepare the limeade according to the directions.

Mix one part limeade and one part carbonated water (you can adjust this to taste)

Add two tablespoons cherry syrup 

Ice, stir and enjoy!

Don't forget- today's the last day to enter for the autumn wreath or leaf garland!! Comment by 5pm!