Happy Hour: Watermelon Agua Fresca Spiked with Vodka

Agua fresca is spanish for "fresh water".  It's usually a combination of fruit, sugar and water blended together to make a refreshing summertime beverage.

This version has watermelon, sugar and lime juice blended with vodka to make a tasty summer cocktail. 

Mulled Wine

I've been really enjoying hot beverages this holiday season.  Normally I prefer cold drinks, but hot apple cider (with rum), hot chocolate (with Peppermint Kahlua), and hot mulled wine with spices have been keeping me warm lately.

Mulled wine is so easy, I can't believe I've never made it before.  You can add any spices you choose.  I went with a wide variety but you can select just a few of these:

• orange zest
• cinnamon sticks
• cloves
• sliced fresh ginger
• cardamom pods
• star anise
• peppercorns

plus about 1/4 cup of brown sugar

Pour a bottle of wine over the spices.  You can do this in a pot on the stove or in a crock pot.  If you're serving a crowd, go ahead and double this.

Warm over medium heat until steaming, then keep warm for serving.  

I like the spicy flavour the ginger adds, but you can play around until you find your personal ideal spice combination.

Ladle into mugs to serve and enjoy this winter treat.  Happy Holidays!  

Short & Sweet Sunday - Mojito!

This is the reason I started growing mint in my garden.  This is an extremely refreshing cocktail, perfect for a hot summer day!

I usually use a cocktail shaker for this, but it's easy to muddle the ingredients in a glass.  

Use a handful of mint.

Sprinkle with a tablespoon of sugar.

Muddle with a wooden spoon.  Muddling releases the oils and flavour from the mint.

Add the juice of a lime and mix to dissolve the sugar.

And a shot of white rum.

Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda.

Drink on the deck with a good book.  Refreshing!