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Cocktails

Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito

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When I polled my Instagram audience if they wanted this recipe after previewing it, the answered was 100% YES. I completely understand why because and it is indeed 100% REFRESHING! Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito is the summer drink you’ve been craving. You just didn’t know it!

Like a lot of gardeners, my mint plant is growing faster than I can use it up. A mojito recipe is the perfect way to make use of the summer herb, and its herbaceous flavor adds a cooling effect to this cocktail. Not a gardener? The mint sold in your local grocery store’s produce department will suffice — just remember to keep it refrigerated until use.

This recipe is for one cocktail but you could easily maximize it to make a pitcher to serve guests at your brunch or outdoor summer party. It’s so good thanks to its fresh ingredients and the bubble’s effervescence.

Have you ever heard of “muddling” herbs? You may have seen a bartender do it when crafting a cocktail. By using a cocktail muddler, or in my case the end of a wooden spoon, you simply press and twist the mint in the bottom of a sturdy wine glass. Just in case you would like a visual for how to do it, here’s a helpful instructional link.

I used strawberry flavored Waterloo Sparkling Water for extra fruit flavor in combination with sliced fresh strawberries. You will also need sugar, lime wedges, and aged silver rum over ice.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 

I know you’re going to adore this recipe for Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito! Appreciate fruit cocktails? You’ll also like my recipe for Blackberry Mint Fizzy Mojito! Want a similar drink but without the booze? Check out this recipe for Cucumber Mint Raspberry Detox Water.

Salude!

Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito

A refreshingly sweet yet tart cocktail, the mint complements the fresh strawberry very well. You can prepare it to enjoy on a hot summer day or for friends at your next brunch!

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. aged silver rum (Cruzan)
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 T. white sugar
  • 3 lime wedges (small quarter pieces)
  • 1 sliced strawberry
  • 1 can Waterloo Strawberry Sparkling Water
  • crushed ice

Instructions

  1. Add the mint leaves, sugar, and lime wedges to the glass.
  2. Muddle the mint leaves, mint, and sugar together until fragrant and well mashed.
  3. Add half a glass of crushed ice.
  4. Add sliced strawberries.
  5. Add rum.
  6. Fill glass until it's full with the sparkling water.
  7. Garnish with a strawberry and sprig of mint.

Notes

Use silver rum for this recipe. Substituting dark rum is not an option to achieve the desired recipe flavor.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/strawberry-mint-mojito/

Cucumber Lime Vodka Splash

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Refreshing. Bubbly. Tasty!

This bubbly cocktail is perfect for those days when you want a boozy drink and you’re craving something light and refreshing. Cucumber Lime Vodka Splash, made with only three ingredients, is a cocktail you (and your friends!) will love. Grab a glass, and let’s get started!

To make this cocktail a delightful one, you must start with its base: Smirnoff Cucumber Zero Sugar Infusions Cucumber & Lime Vodka. I discovered this flavored vodka when strolling the aisles of my neighborhood liquor store in search of something that was flavorful but less heavy in sugar than rum.

To make my Cucumber Lime Vodka Splash, following the simple steps in the recipe card below. I promise you’re going to appreciate this drink’s flavor profile so much you’ll want to share it with friends at your next get together. Cheers!

1 glass

Serves 10 oz.

Cucumber Lime Vodka Splash

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Smirnoff Cucumber Zero Sugar Infusions Cucumber & Lime
  • Juice of a lime wedge
  • Ice cubes
  • 1/2 can Lime La Croix
  • Garnish with a cucumber slice and mint garnish

Instructions

  1. Add ice to glass.
  2. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Stir gently.
  4. Garnish glass with cucumber and mint.
  5. Serve.

Notes

You can also swap another La Croix flavored water instead of the lime version.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/cucumber-lime-vodka-splash/

If you’ve read this far, you love cucumbers. Check out other flavorful recipes on the blog including Cucumber Mint Raspberry Detox Water or try your hand at making my Asian Cucumber Salad, the perfect sidekick to Hibachi Steak Lettuce Wraps.

cucumber lime vodka splash

Fizzy Grapefruit Sparkler

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The citrus flavors of summer fruit are delicious so I couldn’t resist adding this bubbly grapefruit cocktail to my lineup of all-star seasonal cocktails. Loaded with grapefruit and lime flavor, Fizzy Grapefruit Sparkler is incredibly simple to make using ingredients that are easy to locate at your grocery store.

When you need to serve guests a fun drink this summer at your poolside party or before dining al fresca on the deck, consider my Fizzy Grapefruit Sparkler! Packed with citrus punch, it gets its sweetness from a bit of added Stevia and the fizziness and tanginess from the Izze® Grapefruit Beverage. It would be great served alongside warm crostini topped with feta and herbs or figs as an appetizer! Let’s toast to that!

1 glass

Fizzy Grapefruit Sparkler

This tangy drink is both sweet and sparkly - perfect for a cooling down from the summer heat!

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Burnett's Orange Vodka
  • 1 squeeze of lime wedge
  • 1 squeeze of a large wedge of grapefruit (about 1/4 of a grapefruit minus the seeds)
  • 1/2 tsp. Stevia
  • Crushed ice
  • 1 can IZZE® Sparkling Grapefruit Beverage

Instructions

  1. Pour the first four ingredients in a glass and stir gently with a straw.
  2. Add crushed ice to fill glass.
  3. Top with IZZE® Sparkling Grapefruit Beverage.
  4. Add mint and/or grapefruit slice for garnish.
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https://onedelightfullife.com/fizzy-grapefruit-cocktail/

5 Craft Beers You Need to Try

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I can’t say when it happened, but there’s not debating it now. I’ve clearly switched over from my former life as a red wine drinker to a true craft beer fan. Cheers to that!

According to the Brewer’s Association, there were over 6,300 craft breweries in the United States as of 2017. The largest segment of growth in that count came from the opening of new brewpubs starting in 2012, a number that has exponentially grown since the report. So, it’s no surprise that my love of the suds is also growing exponentially!

A fan of unfiltered and fruit-forward brews, I’ve narrowed down my list to five must-have beers. I don’t like hoppy beers so you won’t find those on my list. However, my go-to selection includes a few shining stars you should be sipping on! Without further a do, I give you 5 Craft Beers You Need to Try!

  1. Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat 4.4% – Described as an “ale with natural citrusy flavor,” it’s Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Company’s best selling beer for its drinkability. Why do I love it? It’s smooth, full of flavor, and drinks like a slightly  sweetened ballpark light beer. I’ve yet to find a type of food that I can’t drink it with OR a friend who doesn’t want to drink one with me. If you have the opportunity to visit the brewery, I highly recommend making a reservation for a tour of the facility. Having visited on my birthday a few years back, I have fond memories of toasting to another great year in their tasting room!

    Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat
  2. Free State Brewery’s Guavatas Sour 4.65% – A graduate of the University of Kansas, I spent Mondays at Free State Brewery drinking ales shoulder-to-shoulder with townies and college students alike on $1 Pint Night. The “sour” craze wasn’t popular back in the day (boy did I just sound old!) so I drank their Wheat State Golden or Ad Astra Ale. Today, I’m a big fan of sours so I can’t recommend their small batch Guavatas Sour enough! Don’t be alarmed to see pulpy bits of guava in your glass after the pour – that’s normal! Why do I love it? It’s tropical notes beckon thoughts of summer and it’s mild tartness finishes nicely. The brewery’s slogan “Because Without Beer Things Don’t Seem To Go As Well” basically sums up my college experience and I’m still drinking their beer two decades later. That says something about their beer’s consistency and quality.

    Free State Guavatas Sour

    3. Uinta Crisp Apple Ale 4.0% – Clearly I’m a fan of beers with fruity notes. I grabbed a six back of Uinta’s Crisp Apple Ale on a whim and I’ve purchased it many times since then. The Uinta Brewery, located in Salt Lake City, was founded by a guy who transitioned from a home brewer to a professional set-up in a leased mechanic’s garage. They brew all types of craft beer, but I’m partial to their brews featuring fruit including grapefruit, mango, and apple. Why do I love it? It’s a light beer with a slight apple after-taste, which is always refreshing on the palette. Craving apple pie, now?

    Uinta Apple Ale

    4. Boulevard Jam Band Berry Ale 5.9% – Unlike any beer I’ve ever tasted, Boulevard’s Jam Band Berry Ale is like a dessert in a glass. This ale’s bold taste includes blueberries, raspberries, and tart cherries. I assumed this beer would be one Boulevard would make only for awhile due to the cost of using loads of fruit. I assumed it would be one of those one-offs that wouldn’t stay on liquor store shelves. I’m glad they proved me wrong. Lucky us! If you don’t like sweet beers or ciders, steer clear of this one. Why do I love it? Loaded with berry and citrus flavor, this beer balances malt with real fruit flavor. It’s my jam! 5. Roadie Grapefruit Radler 4.2% – So I need to apologize. This beer isn’t one that you can try today because it is a seasonal that is only available April-August, but it is worth the wait! Brewed in 5 gallon barrels to be heavy in citrus flavor using grapefruit puree, it’s an tangy, crisp beer perfect for drinking on a hot summer day. Why do I love it? I love all things grapefruit. Denver’s Great Divide Brewing Company’s seasonal beer is one of my must-haves. It even smells good (ha!). Although it has a tart finish, you can drink more than one in a drinking session.

    It’s not easy to narrow my list to five craft beers, but this compilation represents my current faves. I might just have to write another post for my go-to seasonal picks this fall! What are you drinking right now? I’m eager to hear which craft beer you think I should try next – remember I like ales and sours more than any other kind! Leave your recommendation in the comments section below.

 

 

Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail

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Of all of the seasons to make cocktails, summer is my favorite! A cool drink with the fresh flavors of muddled fruit and mint is refreshing and bright in flavors and colors. My Blackberry Mint Fizzy Cocktail is a drink you can make for one or as a big batch for guests, if you triple the ingredients!

The best part of a serving a muddled cocktail is that it looks as if it required a ton of effort to make, but that’s simply not true. If you don’t own a mortar and pestle, you can use a wooden spoon inside of a tall glass to smash the blackberries for this drink.

I would recommend wearing an apron or coving the mortar with your other hand when muddling the blackberries to prevent stains on your shirt.

Once the blackberries are completely smashed, scoop the fruit goop (that’s a yummy word!) into the cocktail glass. (Instead of muddling the mint leaves, I tore them into super small pieces with my hands releasing their herbal aromatic flavor before dropping them into the glass.) Then add the sugar.

Next, add the juice of one lime wedge.

Summer drinks are made so much better tasting because of citrus from an orange, lime or lemon.

Now, add the vodka – yes, please!

You’re almost done! All you need to do is top off the glass with crushed ice and bubbly club soda to the rim.

:: Wishing I had Sonic ice for this right now ::

No need to transfer this cocktail to another glass to try to shake up the ingredients. Simply add colorful straws and stir the drink gently.

Garnish the glass with a sprig of fresh mint, a lime wedge, more blackberries, and colorful straws before serving! Cheers my dears!

You could easily swap blackberries for strawberries, blueberries, or another fruit of your choice.

Have a muddle cocktail recipe that you think I’d love? Please share the recipe in the comments! Happy Summer Drinking, friends!

Ingredients

  • 4-5 blackberries
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 tsp sugar.
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • Crushed ice
  • Lime juice of one lime wedge
  • 1/2 cup club soda
  • 1-2 blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Instructions

  1. Muddle 4-5 blackberries.
  2. Tear 4-5 mint leaves. Add blackberries and mint into a cocktail glass.
  3. Add 1 tsp sugar.
  4. Add 1/2 cup vodka.
  5. Fill cocktail glass halfway with crushed ice.
  6. Lime juice squeezed from one small lime wedge.
  7. Fill glass nearly full with crushed ice.
  8. Fill remaining space in glass with club soda about 1/2 cup.
  9. Stir cocktail with straw and top with fresh blackberries and a mint sprig for garnish.

Notes

You could easily substitute vodka for rum or silver tequila. Looking for a non-alcoholic cooler? Take out the booze!

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https://onedelightfullife.com/blackberry-mint-fizzy-cocktail/

Nutrition

Calories

540 cal

Fat

3 g

Carbs

68 g

Protein

8 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

Pomegranate Martini

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Today, I’m celebrating. Time to raise a glass and say “cheers!” I got the job!

It seems appropriate to honor this news with a freshly made Pomegranate Martini, a simple recipe that is ideal for serving during the your guests during the holidays. If you set out all of your ingredients in advance, this martini can be made in five minutes!

Grab a martini shaker and the following ingredients to prepare your bartending kitchen station:

  • Pomegranate juice (I used Bai Antioxidant Infusion Ipanema Pomegranate because I didn’t have pure pomegranate juice on-hand.)
  • Orange Juice (used pulp-free)
  • Vodka
  • Apple Juice
  • Simple Syrup (heat 1/2 c. water, 1/2 sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves, then cool.)
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1-3 Lime rind curls for garnish in the bottom of the glass or hang over the rim

How do you celebrate the best moments of your life? With a dinner out on the town? A champagne toast with your favorite peeps? Here’s wishing you a happy upcoming holiday season full of only good news to take you into the new year!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. orange juice
  • 1 oz. vodka
  • 3/4 oz. apple juice
  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • lime rind curls to garnish
  • ice

Instructions

  1. Fill a martini shaker with 3/4 full of cubed ice.
  2. Add all liquid ingredients.
  3. Add lid to martini and shake vigorously for a few minutes.
  4. Strain martini shaker into a martini glass.
  5. Garnish with lime rind curls.

Notes

You can also use a citrus infused vodka, if you prefer.

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https://onedelightfullife.com/pomegranate-martini/

Nutrition

Calories

169 cal

Carbs

25 g

Protein

1 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

Need another cocktail recipe for your guests? Try my yummy recipe It’s Cold Outside, Time to Layer on the Flannel Pajamas!