The Ultimate Bloody Mary

                    Is there anything more wonderful than a Bloody Mary on a Sunday morning?
                    I've been making this drink for years and it's a real crowd pleaser. Make a
                                  large pitcher full if you have guests visiting. Enjoy.

                                                                The Ultimate Bloody Mary

                                                                 1 teaspoon celery salt
                                                                 1 1/2 cups ice
                                                                 3 ounces vodka
                                                                 1 1/2 teaspoons horseradish
                                                                 1 3/4 cups spicy tomato juice
                                                                 4 dashes worcestershire sauce
                                                                 2 dashes hot sauce
                                                                 salt and pepper to taste
                                                                 1/2 a lime
                                                                 celery stalks and Spanish olives - for garnish

              1) Wet the rim of two glasses and dip them into the celery salt. Fill the glasses
              with ice cubes. Mix together - vodka, horseradish, tomato juice, hot sauce, lime,
              worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Pour into glasses and serve with celery &
              Spanish olives.

Moscow Mule

                     I can see why Moscow Mules are one of Oprah's favorite cocktails - because
                     they are truly amazing. It has become my go to cocktail. Not too sweet, not too
                     tart, just perfect. The Ginger beer ( which is a soda ) is amazing paired with
                     a little vodka and fresh limes. If you try it you will agree on how great it is.

                                                                       Moscow Mule

                                                                       2 ounces good quality Vodka
                                                                       6 ounces ginger beer
                                                                       1 lime, juiced
                                                                       1 tablespoon agave nectar
                                                                       fresh mint

                1) Fill a glass with ice. Pour in vodka, ginger beer, lime juice and agave.
                Stir and garnish with fresh mint and extra limes. This is for one serving -
                but you can easily double it. Add more or less of whatever your tastes are.

         

Chocolate White Russian

         What we have here is a perfect Winter cocktail. Sweet and delicious. You won't
         even need to have dessert. Imagine yourself sipping this as the snow falls. A truly
         comforting cocktail. I added some Godiva white chocolate to this traditional
             creamy drink and it made it so much better than I could've imagined.

          Have you ever seen the movie The Big Lebowski? It's a cult classic and such a great
          movie. The main charter is The Dude and his favorite drink is The White Russian,
          and ever time I think of this cocktail the movie instantly plays in my mind.

                                                                Chocolate White Russian

                                                                 1 ounce Vodka
                                                                 2 ounces Kahlua
                                                                 1 ounce Godiva white chocolate liquor
                                                                 3 to 4 ounces of milk
                                                                 ice

             1) This recipe makes one glass. Put ice in glass and pour next four ingredients
             in glass and mix.

Tropical Island Cocktail

  It's Labor Day weekend and we all know that Summer is winding down. With that being
  said...I know I'm looking forward to some Fall baking and cooking. I have been trying
  to perfect this cocktail for about a year and I think it's finally perfect to share. Even with
  the cooler months fast approaching you will still love this tropical drink. It's like a -
  vacation in a glass. Enjoy.
           
                                                               Tropical Island Cocktail

                                                               1 ounce coconut rum
                                                               1 ounce spice rum
                                                               1 ounce banana liqueur
                                                               2 ounces pineapple juice
                                                               2 ounces orange juice
                                                               a splash of grenadine

                 1) Fill a large glass with ice, pour in first 5 ingredients. Mix with a spoon.
                 Add grenadine and garnish with cherries and pineapple.
                                                             

Boston Iced Tea

                I have the most refreshing and incredibly easy beverage to share with you today.
                It truly doesn't even require a recipe and boy is it good. In these hot and humid
                days of Summer you deserve to sit back and put your feet up and relax. Growing
                up in the Boston area I have had a long love of anything cranberry. Still to this
                day I love to drink cranberry juice and ginger ale. So good. This is a Summer
                staple.

                                                                       Boston Iced Tea

                                                                       64 oz of Cran Raspberry juice
                                                                       58 oz of Sweet Tea or your favorite
                                                                       lemon slices
                                                                       fresh mint
                                                                       ice cubes

                  1) In a large pitcher pour in cranberry juice, tea and lemon slices. Serve over
                  ice in cups and garnish with fresh mint.

                  Note - In case you don't want to mix a big batch. You can make this by the cup
                  and just mix equal parts iced tea and cranberry juice. Always serve over ice.

                               Look at that beautiful color. I can't wait for you to try this.
                            

Frozen Strawberry Margaritas

          I wrote this recipe early in the week hoping to get it to you by Cinco de Mayo, my -
                         personal favorite holiday and I'm so happy to be able to post this.

     I'm not sure if any of you have seen on the news that California is having some serious
     wild fires and I was evacuated yesterday and was able to get back home today, only to
     hear that I might have to be evacuated again. Luckily, that did not happen. Needless
     to say...I'm celebrating Cinco de Mayo today and counting my blessings!

                                                           Frozen Strawberry Margaritas

                                                           6 ounces of tequila ( Cabo or patron )
                                                           2 ounces grand marnier
                                                           1 quart of fresh strawberries
                                                           3 limes, juiced
                                                           3/4 cup water
                                                           2 tablespoons agave nectar
                                                           3 to 4 cups of ice

        1) In a blender. Mix all 7 ingredients until desired consistency. Pour into salt rimmed
        glasses!

         These margaritas are so tasty and make an entire pitcher full. Share and enjoy!!!

                    If you are interested in more margaritas you can try anyone of these......
                      coconut-lime-margaritas - pomegranate and cranberry margaritas -
                                                     watermelon margaritas

Coconut Berry Spritzer

               Well, hello there - It's TGIF and I haven't forgot about, YOU. It's the weekend
                and I have a cocktail that is light, refreshing and waiting to be shared with your
                friends or loved ones. The added bonus is the fresh and incredible fruit. MMM
                                   

                                                               Coconut Berry Spritzer

                                                          1 bottle of Pinot Grigio or Sparkling wine
                                                          1 cup coconut rum
                                                          2 cans of sprite
                                                          1/2 cup raspberries
                                                          1/2 cup blueberries
                                                          1/2 cup strawberries
                                                          ice cubes

                        1) Mix first 3 ingredients together. Add fruit and serve over ice cubes.
                       "Note - you can make this alcohol free by using white cranberry juice "

                                                       One for me and one for you!

Perfect Green Smoothie

                     Yes, I realize that I'm on a bit of a smoothie kick. I just can't help myself.
                 I love packing in as many nutrients I can early in the morning. I like starting my
                 day on the right track. If I eat some not so good things for me during the day I
                 can feel good about my morning breakfast! Great way of thinking, right? Ha.
                          I have tried many green smoothies and this one is my favorite.

                                                          Perfect Green Smoothie

                                                         1 1/2 cups green grapes
                                                         1 banana
                                                         2 cups spinach
                                                         1 cup pineapple
                                                         1/2 cup ice cubes
                                                         1/2 cup water

                      1) Place all ingredients in blender and blend until desired consistency.

           

Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

                    I'm a smoothie junkie. It's a great healthy way to start your day and -
           incorporate your fruits and veggies. I feel energized when I have a smoothie and
           they are so easy to make at home. I'm a coconut kinda gal and coconut milk has
           gone in all my smoothies for over a year. It's such a treat. This is a great combo.

                                                            Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

                                                       1 container fresh blueberries ( 8 oz )
                                                                        1 banana
                                                              1 cup of coconut milk
                                                                 1 teaspoon honey
                                                                     1 cup of ice
                                                        shredded coconut - for garnish

           1) In a blender - place ice, banana, milk, honey, and blueberries. Mix until blended.

Citrus Flavored Water

         On New Years, I told myself that I needed to drink more water. Not always an easy
         thing for me. Lets face it, sometimes water is not that appealing. I  feel that if I put
         fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in the water I drink more - a lot more and I also -
         get extra nutrients. Flu season is here and we all could use a little extra Vitamin C.

                                                               Citrus Flavored Water
                                     
                                                                 2 quarts of water, alkaline, sparkling
                                                                 1 Ruby Red Grapefruit
                                                                 1 orange
                                                                 1 lemon
                                                                 2 limes

                        In a large pitcher fill half way with ice cubes, water and fruit, Stir well.
                      * Note you can use a little agave nectar or honey to make it a tad sweet*

Pink Lemonade Champagne

                     Ladies - do I have a delicious cocktail for you! It's sweet and very girlie.
                   But not girlie enough that your husband wouldn't totally enjoy it! It makes a
                  good amount....so share and be the hit of the party. I hope you all have a very
                    spectacular New Years and Cheers to a healthy and happy filled 2013!!

                                                            Pink Lemonade Champagne

                                1 pink lemonade - concentrate in the freezer section - thawed
                                1 bottle champagne - chilled
                                1 cup vanilla vodka
                                sugar for rim
                                ice cubes - optional

         1) Mix lemonade and vodka in a pitcher. Slowly add champagne to sugared glasses.

                                                        Happy New Year - My Friends!!
               

Pomegranate and Cranberry Margaritas

      Dear Margarita, oh how I love thee. My go-to cocktail by far is the good ole ' -
      Margarita. It will never let you down and it will always be just as tasty as it can be.
      You can drink them in the Summer and even the Winter....this particular Margarita
      will prove that. I had one when I was out with friends last week and I knew I had
      to go home and recreate it. I think my version came out even better.

           I like to make big batches of cocktails and hand them out to my neighbors. Tis,
             the season for giving and faces will light up with this drink in hand. Enjoy!!

                                           Perfect to serve at your Holiday dinner party.

                                                 Pomegranate and Cranberry Margarita

                1 cup Cabo Wabo Tequila
                1/2 cup triple sec ( orange liqueur )
                3 limes, juiced
                1/4 cup sugar
                1 1/2 cups cranberry juice
                1/2 pomegranate juice

                For Garnish....ice, cranberries, pomegranate seeds and limes.
                Extra sugar for the rim.

      1) Mix all 6 ingredients in a shaker. Serve with sugared over ice and add garnishes.

   
             

Cherry Berry Smoothie

                                      I'm totally on a smoothie kick...You may see them weekly.
                     I love that I can drink them on a warm day and it is so refreshing. I love that I
                           never waste fruit, anymore. I love the vibrant colors you get when you
                                     blend everything together. It's the little things in life.

                                                                   Cherry Berry Smoothie

                                                                    2 cups of strawberries
                                                                1 cup of fresh pitted cherries
                                                                             1 banana
                                                                      1/2 cup almond milk
                                                                  2 tablespoons agave nectar
                                                                           2 cups of ice

                      1) Place ice in blender and all of the other ingredients. Blend until smooth.
     

Orange, Banana and Pineapple Smoothie

I'm a smoothie/juicing aholic. I live these days to blend or juice any

 fruit or vegetable in sight. I get completely excited when I see a Farmer's market.

Trader Joe's pretty much knows me by name. I love drinking healthy drinks. 

This is one of my favorites. I love everything in it. 

Orange, Banana and Pineapple Smoothie

2 bananas

1 cup of fresh pineapple

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 1/2 cups ice

2 tablespoons of honey

Place all of your ingredients in a blender and blend away until ice is crushed.

Watermelon Margaritas

                     With Cinco de Mayo, fast approaching us. I wanted to share with you
          a little goodness to start your weekend off right and into Cinco de Mayo. All you
      need are some chips and salsa and I see a perfect fiesta happening. Enjoy my friends!

                                                               Watermelon Margaritas

         3 cups cubed watermelon
         2 limes juiced
         1 cup of Cabo Wabo tequila ( my personal favorite)
         1/4 cup triple sec
         1/2 cup sugar
         1/2 cup water
         salt or sugar for rim

        1) Heat sugar and water in pot. You are doing this to make a simple syrup.
        When the sugar is dissolved...take off of stove and let cool
        2) In the meantime juice the watermelon in a juicing machine. "If you don't
        have a juicer and blender will work fine. It will be a little thicker.
        3) Add lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and cooled simple syrup to the watermelon
        juice. Mix well.
        4) Rim your glasses in sugar or salt. Add crushed ice or ice cubes.
        5) Pour the Margarita in glass and serve.
         Note, to make it extra special add a slice of watermelon and lime to glass.

Blueberry Mojito's

                 A couple weeks ago...I went out to lunch with a girl friend to a swanky
        restaurant and we had Blueberry Mojito's and it was love at first sip. So refreshing
     and so tasty. I knew that very moment I had to re-create it. This drink screams Spring.
                   It would be perfect with any berry. Enjoy and make yourself drink.
                                                             You deserve it!!!!!!

                                                                 Blueberry Mojito's

           1 small container of blueberries, save some for garnish.
           a bunch of mint leaves
           2 tablespoons agave nectar
           3 ounces rum
           1/4 cup of lime juice
           1/2 cup club soda
           lots of ice

          1) In a shaker, smash blueberries and mint together. Pour in, agave, rum, lime juice,
          and club soda....shake.
          2) Add ice to cups and pour your mojito in and serve. Garnish with extra, limes,
          blueberries and mint.

       

Coconut Lime Margaritas

               Got Tequila? That's a good thing because today is National Margarita Day!!!
        I'm so glad you're here. Have a seat. I have the most PERFECT Margarita you will
       ever taste. I mean how could you go wrong with  Lime and Coconut. If you make
       these you will be sure to sing all night Put The Lime In The Coconut!!! Enjoy - friends.

                                                                 Coconut Lime Margarita

      1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
      1/2 teaspoon salt
      1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
      1 cup cream of coconut
      1/2 cup of tequila
      1/4 cup of triple sec

     1) Preheat oven to 350. Mix coconut and salt and put on a baking sheet and cook
     until lightly toasted. Watch carefully. Cool
     2) On a small plate squeeze some cream of coconut and rim glass and then dip in
     coconut mixture.
     3) Combine remaining ingredients in blender with 1 1/2 cups of ice. Blend until
     smooth and serve in glasses.