Madras Slushes

Is it me or does everything taste better in slush form?

Remember our Brandy Slush post? I mean really, who knew Brandy could taste so good?

For whatever reason, at the first sign of warm weather, my instinct is to go get a slushy. Ask Adam, it's true.

I'm not entirely sure why, but I think it has something to do with my childhood "Slurpee after soccer practice" routine. Perhaps that, paired with the fact that it was rarely warm outside where we went to college, (Grove City College--go Wolverines!) and so when it was, we'd treat ourselves with slushies from Sheetz.

Whatever the reason, I crave slushy things when it's hot outside.

A couple weekends ago, I ventured off from my normal recipes and tried making a Madras. In the process I thought to myself "why not get crazy and make it a slushy Madras?" So that's what I did.

For those who don't know, a Madras is easily confused with its vodka-cranberry cousins like the Cape Codder(vodka-cranberry), Sea Breeze (vodka-cranberry-grapefruit) and Bay Breeze (vodka-cranberry-pineapple).  It obviously has the vodka-cranberry components, but adds in a bit of orange juice into the mix.

Want to make one too?

Here's what you need:

1 1/2 oz vodka

3 oz cranberry juice

1 oz orange juice

10-12 ice cubes

(though I would have probably added more ice so it was a bit slushier)

a clementine for garnish

Here's how to do it:

combine all ingredients into the blender

blend until smooth

 

serve in your favorite glass

garnish with a clementine slice (it's more petite)

The combination of tart, sweet, and slush was perfect way to satisfy my warm-weather cravings.

Champagne Week: Day 2 - Cranberry Lime Bellinis

Yesterday was Day 1 of Champagne Week. 

Did anyone get to try those? Are you planning to?

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Today we have another Champagne drink for you.

It involves Cranberry Juice again, which is a total coincidence. 

But it's de-lish.

 It's a little sweet, it's a little sour, and it's a little fizzy. 

It's a Cranberry Lime Bellini, and it needs to be at your NYE party this weekend.

Please tell me you saw those bubbles?

The recipe was adapted from Giada DeLaurentiis (Love that girl).

Here's what you need:

 

equal parts of

cranberry juice, chilled

limeade concentrate, chilled

champagne or prosecco (we used champagne), chilled

Here's how to do it:

Mix, stir, sip.

(we rimmed ours in gold sugar to glam-it-up even more)



Pretty, huh? Your friends will love it, PROMISE.

Autumn Pear Cranberry Sparkler

We're heading into the season of sparkling cider. 

It was such a highlight of my holidays growing up.

Bubbly. Sweet. Flavored. What's not to love?

If you're looking for a versatle drink to share with the whole fam, you have to try this Pear Cranberry Drink.

(We made it for Jordan's early thanksgiving when their family was in town back in October, and we've had a couple requests for the recipe since then!)

Here's what you need:

1 bottle Sparkling Pear Juice (Pear flavored sparkling cider)

1 bottle Blackberry Izze

Splash of Cranberry Juice
One pear, chopped

Real Cranberries (If you freeze them, they should float at first)

Here's how to do it:

Pour the Sparkling Pear Juice (the whole bottle) into the pitcher, add the Izze (the whole bottle) as well

Splash in some cranberry juice, stir slowly with a spoon (don't shake or you'll lose the fizziness)

Finally, drop in the desired amount of cranberries and the chopped pears. Be sure if you froze them to serve pretty much immediately if you want them to float.

Serves 4-6

You can also keep a couple of pear slices to the side and use as a garnish. So pretty.

Enjoy!