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!

___

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

Iced Caramel Macchiato

This Sunday our youth group is raising money for camp 

by offering some fancy schmancy coffee drinks and treats at church.

I've been testing out all kinds of latte and frappuccino

recipes since I've never been a barista...

... my job is so tough ;)

So, in honor of our fundraising efforts I thought I'd share 

the recipe to my favorite Starbucks drink!

I make it at home now for a fraction of the cost

 ever since I scored my $5 espresso machine.

You will need:

1 1/2 cup ice*

1 cup milk*

2 shots espresso (2 oz, or 4 tbsp)

caramel sauce (I just use Hershey's!)
1 tbsp vanilla syrup (optional)
*estimated measurements

What To Do:

First, I fill a glass 3/4 full of ice

Then pour milk to the top of the ice

At starbucks, they add a pump of vanilla syrup here.

I don't, but if you like it sweetened, try it!

Pour espresso over the top

and drizzle (about 2 tbsp) caramel sauce over the top

[so pretty!]

Then stir up all those delicious flavors and adjust according to taste.

Easy peasy!

This is how I start most mornings and it is wonderful :)

You can easily substitute skim, almond or soy milk to make it a little healthier too!

What's your favorite coffee treat?

Green Monster Smoothie

This has helped me to increase my daily servings of 

fruits and vegetables at the same time

Plus, as much as I hate to admit it, 

it helps my energy more than coffee. 

If you like your smoothies more creamy, add a little yogurt to the mix.

Plus you can always mix and match whatever fruits you have on hand.

Just know if you add strawberries, like I did, it will be an ugly brownish color.

still pretty tasty though!

What You'll Need:

1/2 banana (frozen or not)
1/2 cup chopped frozen pineapple
1/2 large apple, peeled and coarsely chopped
3/4 cups orange juice

1 1/4 cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
1-2 tbsp. honey (optional)

What To Do:
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until completely smooth.  Taste and adjust sweetness with additional honey, if desired.  Serve immediately.

From Annie's Eats and Confections of a Food Bride,

 originally from Une-Deux Senses

Yeah, so I've made this a few times this week...

it's just that good, and good for ya!

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!