{Friday Cocktail} Black Cherry Shandy

Whose excited about the Olympics? THIS GIRL. Since we are on an official Olympic countdown (21 days as of 9 am this morning) I wanted to get you all excited with the summery British inspired cocktail. A Shandy is a beer and juice based beverage. It's light and refreshing, and perfect for relaxing at the end of a long week. I have been enjoying more than my fair share of shandies lately, but mmm... are they good in this HOT weather. 

This one was dreamed up because of an abundance of black cherries and limes (post fourth of July). It's really easy to put together, and a great sweet tart combo. I present to you the...

Black Cherry Shandy

Ingredients

• 1 light beer (I used Yueling Light)
• .5 cup sliced black cherries
• 1 small lime (zested)
• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1 Tbsp Simple Syrup

Directions

Muddle cherries, zest and half the juice from the lime in a shaker. Add tequila and ice. Then top with beer. enjoy.

Easy right? Don't forget to enter the Rocks Paper Metal Giveaway!

{Friday Cocktail} Fourth of July Addition

It's that time of year again. As you break out your red white and blue in preparation for Wednesday's festivities consider making this festive beverage...

I mean, how perfect is that. Really. get your self some star shaped ice trays and you'll be all set. It's a spicy watermelon concoction that will be sure to please everyone. 


Ingredients
1 oz watermelon schnapps
1 big splash of cranberry juice
1 very thin sliced jalapeno (or whatever pepper you want)
1 slice lemon
1 slice lime
1.5 oz tequila
.25 oz blue curacao
.5 oz simple syrup

• watermelon wedge for garnish

Directions
combine schnapps and cranberry juice, pour over ice in a tall glass. Then muddle jalapeno, lemon, lime, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup. Shake and strain SLOWLY over the the watermelony goodness already in your glass. enjoy

have a great weekend y'all, and don't forget you still have 2 days to enter the Rouge & Co giveaway!

{Friday Cocktail} 5.5.12 Double Cocktail Craziness

So tomorrow is a big day. Cinco de Mayo woohoo!!! oh yah. AND the Kentucky derby. I don't know about you, but when I think about both of these holidays two things come to mind. Margaritas and Mint Juleps. How could you pick just one? Since I'm still working working on eating well, I haven't been drinking. Okay, that's kind of a lie, I've been trying not to drink, and have for the most part been pretty successful. Still thinking about my may goals and having to be in a bathing suit in 10 days (eek) I'm going to really try to be good this weekend. It's going to be tough though. Good thing I'm the one throwing the party.

We are having a smallish Cinco de Mayo party so we'll have the traditional margarita mix, but I'm going to pick up a bottle or two of my girl Bethenny's Skinny Girl Margarita. 100 calories a serving? Sign me up.

Now I'm a southern gal, but we were never really in to the derby growing up. During college I went to a super fun Derby party, and ever since I love dressing up in a big floppy hat and sipping on some minty goodness. 

BW at last year's derby party

I'm going to attempt to make a skinny mint julep, but lets be honest, I still don't quite have the taste for bourbon, I need me some sugar.

Ingredients: 10 mint leaves, 1 Tbsp Simple Syrup, 3 oz bourbon, 1 cup crushed ice

1. Muddle 10 mint leaves with 1 Tbsp simple syrup and a tiny splash of the bourbon.
2. Let that mixture set for 3-5 minutes so the mint can release its flavor (take this opportunity to crush the ice)
3. Strain the mint mixture and pour into your julep glass and swirl it around the glass. 
4. Add the crushed ice to the top of the glass
5. Add the remainder of the the bourbon
6. Garnish with mint

Put on your finest hat (be it a big floppy one or a sombrero) and relax. I know that's what I'll be doing!