Thirsty Thursday!!

I am in love with this cucumber tequila soda, which is the most refreshing, bubbly, cooling drink you can make this summer.

It’s light. And it’s pretty! Oh and it tastes phenomenal.

I’ve been making cucumber vodka sodas for years, but this tequila one is taking the cake. Or the cocktail. 

My cucumber vodka sodas use fresh cucumber juice and simple syrup. These tequila sodas take that idea… but I make a cucumber simple syrup. Cucumbers are the syrup!

I’m all about finding ways to use some of my favorite homemade ingredients, like syrups, dressings and more. In Everyday Dinners, I have a sauces and dressings chapter and it’s my meal lifeline.

This is sort of like that! The cucumber syrup, I mean. I first shared it a few weeks ago in this cucumber spritz. It’s definitely my official drink of summer 2024! It’s very refreshing. 

But here’s the thing – a tequila soda with lime is my go-to in general. It is so light and easy. It never makes me feel like garbage. It’s simple!

So this is my second way of showing you how to use this cucumber syrup!! Delish. 

First, I make the cucumber syrup. You can make this a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge!

I pour some of the syrup over crushed ice and mix it with a bit of tequila. I squeeze in some fresh lime juice too!

Then, I top it off with super bubbly seltzer.  (more…)

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Say hello to my summer coffee!

These peanut butter iced lattes taste like a big peanut butter cookie. Easy peanut butter syrup, espresso, milk and TONS of crushed iced.

Oh hi, this will be breakfast everyday! 

So I’ve been gatekeeping this peanut butter syrup recipe for a few years because I thought it would be going in my next book. I was almost sure of it! 

After my lavender vanilla iced latte recipe in The Pretty Dish… I wasn’t sure I’d ever love a coffee recipe more. 

And while I LOVE this one, a different recipe won out for my next book. 

Therefore, here we are! 

Time to show you how to make a peanut butter iced latte and be the happiest person on earth this summer. 

First, the peanut butter syrup. 

It’s so simple. And speaking of simple, it’s just like simple syrup! Water, sugar, peanut butter. I like to add in a little vanilla extract too. 

The peanut butter syrup will last in the fridge too. It might get a little hard in the fridge, so you can always warm it up a bit before using or even just let the amount you need sit out for a few minutes. 

I mix the syrup with espresso and milk. That is it! 

Embarrassingly easy, right? 

Now, to be clear, this is just a peanut butter iced latte. No chocolate, mocha, etc. 

But! Of course, you can add some chocolate.

A drizzle of chocolate sauce would be perfect. Some sort of mocha syrup… whatever sounds good to you. 

Because we all know there is no better combo than chocolate and peanut butter!!  (more…)

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Okay, it’s official!!

Cue all the exclamation points. I have our 2024 summer cocktail. And it is THIS!

This cucumber prosecco spritzer is made with cucumber syrup, a splash of seltzer and a light prosecco for the ultimate refreshing warm weather drink. 

Oh my heavens. 

I.L.O.V.E.T.H.I.S. 

There are no words.

Except that this is such a fresh, light drink that just tastes like summer. It tastes like hot sunny days and pool splashing and party snacks and marshmallow clouds. 

And the color!

The freaking color is beautiful. The pictures do not do the drink justice. It’s a lovely shade of light green that again, just appears to taste refreshing. Even before you take a sip! 

To make the cucumber syrup, I blend a few mini cucumbers until pureed and then mix them with sugar and water. It’s like a traditional simple syrup, but cucumber flavored! 

Once all that sugar is dissolved, I strain the cucumber syrup a few times to remove any bits that remain. 

This stays great in the fridge for close to a week! Later this month, I’ll share one more drink you can make with this syrup so it never goes to waste!

The rest is simple. Mix the cucumber syrup with some lime juice, prosecco and club soda. 

Stir it up and boom, it’s ready. 

It’s no secret that I like to make cucumber cocktails.

I like to garnish this drink with a cucumber spear or wedges. You can also use limes.

Grab one of these and sit out in the sun this weekend! (more…)

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It’s officially spring!

I mean, spring is definitely in the air over here.

We get one small tastes of it and I am here for all the warm weather beverages.

There is just nothing like when the weather first warms up and drags you out of the winter gloom. Since things are ever-so-slighty looking up, there is a great reason to enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) on the patio in the lovely spring weather. The days are longer, spring is so close we can taste it and it’s the perfect reason to make a fun drink. I’m very partial to a spritz these days or even a smash with some fresh fruit. Something very light and refreshing and simple.

There are a few of my favorite mocktails sprinkled in here, along with some of the best spring cocktails I’ve made over the years. They are so delish! Which one is calling your name?

18 Spring Cocktails and Mocktails

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Who doesn’t want a hot pink drink?!

Especially when there is a touch of heat and lots of bubbles? Blood orange season is just the best season.

This blood orange spritzer is made with fresh blood orange juice, a touch of lime, jalapeno peppers and bubbly seltzer. A hint of sweet, a hint of heat and lots of fizziness makes this the perfect mocktail. 

I have so many cocktails that use blood orange juice. And I’ve even shared a blood orange mocktail before – my blood orange cooler made with coconut water. This is a spin on those, but with jalapenos for an extra kick. You can throw one in or use a few and even muddle them if you like extra spice. 

And it is embarrassingly easy! It’s one you can throw together in a pinch, whether it’s at night or even quickly with a meal, when you want something other than just water to drink. You can also use blood orange soda mixed with the seltzer.

It’s “recipes” like this – can we even call it a RECIPE?! – that are ones I forget about. That’s why I like to share them. Or, honestly, why I like to have a permanent space on the internet to write them down so I remember them too. 

So I can get ideas on what kind of drinks to make! 

If jalapeno isn’t your speed, I have plenty of other blood orange drinks that you can make. My favorite is this blood orange aperol spritz. It’s so pretty. Of course, the aforementioned blood orange cooler. 

It’s been a decade since I started making blood orange sangria, which is also delightful. The berries make it. 

And I also make a mean blood orange smash. Plus, blood orange margaritas can’t be beat.  (more…)

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It’s a mocktail!

This cherry lime ginger beer drink is so delicious and refreshing, super pretty and festive for the holiday season and a hit with both kids and adults. It’s made with maraschino cherry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, ginger beer (or ginger ale!) and a splash of seltzer.

Add in a sprig of fresh mint and a spoonful of cherries and it’s the cutest drink on the block.

Plus it just tastes so darn good. 

This can be the showstopping drink at your christmas or new year’s dinner this year. It’s incredibly wonderful tasting on its own, but you can also add a splash of vodka if you wish. Make it a little boozy!

You can also use ginger beer OR ginger ale here. I like to use ginger beer. It’s a little spicy, tangy and has that super gingery bite to it. However, my kids don’t love ginger beer. They prefer the more mellow sweet flavor of ginger ale. It works with both options, so it’s up to you!

When it comes to cherries, I love to use these merry maraschino cherries. I’ve been buying these (and their bada bing cherries!) for years at my local grocery store. Or just use the other traditional maraschino cherries you can find in your grocery store. Just be sure you have enough juice.  (more…)

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I have the list of all my favorite holiday drinks for you!

We have festive cocktails and mocktails, punches and more. Coffees, hot chocolates, spritzes and smashes! There is something here for everyone to enjoy. Make a pitcher for a party or just make a drink to enjoy by the sparkly lights.

30 Best Holiday Cocktails, Mocktails & Coffees

(more…)

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I have the best lineup of Thanksgiving drinks for you!

Thanksgiving weekend is my absolute favorite – and there are so many opportunities to entertain, get cozy around the fire or sip something delicious and decorate the tree!

I have so many options for you! There’s a few cocktails, some non-alcoholic options, hot drinks and more. While there are a few punch recipes, the rest are single serving cocktails and would be super easy to make for a small crowd.

What’s your go-to?! Almost every year I make the red apple cider sangria.

Best Thanksgiving Drinks

This cranberry cinnamon whiskey sour is spiced, warming and refreshing at the same time.

Red apple cider sangria may be my #1 favorite. (more…)

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Fall is officially here!

Finally. I’ve got you covered with the best of the best when it comes to fall drinks! These fall drink recipes are so good, I could never just choose one. Whether you need something cozy or icy, boozy or comforting, I’ve got it! Below you’ll find a bunch of my favorite fall drinks, like hot chocolates, teas, non-alcoholic punches, sangrias, mimosas and more!

Fall cocktail season is seriously the best. I mean, I guess I could argue that fall is the best time for ANY sort of drink. And I can’t even tell you how many delicious ones I have here on the blog. Don’t make me choose a favorite! I worship at the altar of apple cider, but there are lots of delish pomegranate, maple and pumpkin flavors here too.

35 Of The Best Fall Drink Recipes

We’re starting with warm coffees and ciders (with one icy exception!), then on to mocktails! Scroll down for all the fall cocktails you need every weekend of the season. What’s on your list for this first official weekend of fall?! (more…)

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How pretty is this drink?! 

An aperol spritz with a splash of fresh blood orange juice, bubbly prosecco and a big blood orange wedge dropped in the glass.

DELISH. 

I love an aperol spritz any time of year. It’s so refreshing and light – and I enjoy the touch of bitterness from the aperol. Come winter, I will use almost any excuse to put my blood oranges to work. Not only are they gorgeous, but the flavor is so perfect. Citrusy, sweet with almost a berry-ish flavor and even a little bit of grapefruit and cara cara orange. 

They are such a fabulous fruit! 

And could they be any cuter for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day celebrations? Give me a hot pink drink any day of the week! 

So. This is quite possibly my favorite version of any aperol spritz, aside from the true classic. And you can also take these up a notch by using my favorite hack of adding frozen fruit for ice cubes! Like frozen peaches or strawberries! 

The spritz is so easy: 

Crushed ice – this is key for me

Freshly squeezed blood orange juice

Prosecco

A splash of club soda

Also, I’ve talked about this smeg juicer before, but it is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets ever. It juices citrus beautifully, it’s so easy and really enjoyable and fun for the kids to use. If you like fresh citrus juice during the winter, or even for holidays, and if you bake desserts with citrus juice, you need this juicer. It’s the best. 

I also love to make a mix of citrus juice: navel oranges and blood oranges, cara cara, even doing a mix of pink and ruby red grapefruit! 

Another trick you can do to elevate this drink, especially if you love a little blood orange sweetness, is to finish this off with some blood orange Italian soda instead of the classic club soda. So fun!  (more…)

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