Limoncello Tom Collins

Limoncello Tom Collins (Makes 4 to 6 drinks)

Copyright 2014, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

1½ cups good vodka, such as Grey Goose
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (6 lemons)
6 tablespoons sugar syrup (see note)
¼ cup Italian Limoncello liqueur
1½ cups cold club soda, such as Pelligrino
Ice cubes
Sliced lemon, for serving

Combine the vodka, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and Limoncello in a large pitcher. Just before serving, pour in the club soda and stir. Fill highball glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice. Garnish each drink with a slice of lemon and serve cold.

Note: To make sugar syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar with ½ cup water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves and cool.

pineapple cocktail

Yield:1 serving

1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
1 -ounce vodka
1 -ounce orange liqueur, recommended: Cointreau
1/2 -ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Turbinado sugar, for the rim (optional)
Fresh wedges of pineapple
Maraschino cherry


Chill a martini glass in the freezer. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the pineapple juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Cover and shake vigorously, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, by the time the shaker mists up the drink is ready.)

frozen vodka slush

Recipe Notes: Prepare this recipe a day or two in advance so the slush can freeze and be extra delicious when served. You also may want to double the recipe -yes, it’s that tasty- so pick up 2x’s the ingredients when you’re at the market!

Ingredients:
8 cups water
3 cups white sugar
juice of 2 lemons
juice of 2 oranges
one 48oz can of pineapple juice
one 12oz can frozen Minute Maid grapefruit juice
one 12oz can of frozen Minute Maid lemonade
26oz Vodka - I prefer Ketel One

Method:
First, make a simple syrup. Boil 8 cups water and stir in 3 cups white sugar. Continue to stir until the sugar incorporates with the water, for about 15 minutes. Let cool.

In a separate bowl, combine the juice of 2 lemons, 2 oranges, 1 48oz can of pineapple juice, 1 12oz can frozen Minute Maid grapefruit juice, 1 12oz can of frozen Minute Maid lemonade and 26oz Vodka.

Once the simple syrup is cooled, add the juice/vodka mix to the syrup. Stir and transfer into an air-tight tupperware container(s) with lid(s). Freeze.

When your guests arrive, stir the slush and fill the glass half-full with frozen vodka slush. Fill the rest of the glass with diet 7-Up. Enjoy!

caribbean lemonade

1 1/2 oz. Vodka or Rum (used vodka)
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao 
2 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
7-Up or Sprite (used Sprite Zero)
1 Lemon Slice

This made 1 cocktail that was a Caribbean Sea teal green color..it was very pretty, very refreshing and perfect on a summer day!

made 5/27/2013

blackberry margarita

Delicious!  I loved it and the color of this cocktail is so pretty!

• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 lime
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1 cup 100% agave blanco tequila
• 3/4 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec (I used triple sec)
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice (3-4 limes juiced with electric juicer)
• 12 ounces fresh blackberries 

1. Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar and kosher salt in a dish. Cut lime into 9 wedges; rub rims of 8 glasses with 1 lime wedge. Dip rims of glasses in salt mixture. 
2. Combine water and 1/2 cup sugar in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup. Microwave at HIGH 2 1/2 minutes, stirring to dissolve sugar; cool. 
3. Combine syrup, tequila, Grand Marnier/Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, and blackberries in a blender; process until smooth. 
4. Strain mixture through a tight mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined sieve over a pitcher; discard solids. 
5. Serve over ice. Garnish with remaining lime wedges.

Made: 5/25/2013

pink grapefruit margarita

This drink is so darn good...it's such a pretty pink and it's so refreshing and has a lot of kick in it. Cheers....drink up!

• 1 cup          ruby red grapefruit juice
• 1/2  cup    fresh squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 1 cup         triple sec orange liqueur
• 3 cups      ice
• 1 cup        silver tequila
• 1   lime cut in wedges, optional Kosher salt.

If you prefer to rim the glasses take a lime wedge and rim, then dip in salt, if you do not like a salted rim sprinkle a touch of salt in each glass, the salt really brings out the flavor.

Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and ice in a blender. Pour into a large pitcher (or just keep it in the blender). Pour and enjoy.

Makes 4 drinks.

* Just as a note: it is important to use Ruby Red grapefruit juice, it is much sweeter than regular and it has the lovely pink color.  

Source: Barefoot Contessa’s  How Easy Is That

Made 5/26/2013

vodka collins

AKA: Tim Collins

In case you love or don't love Tom Collins here is another version:

1.5 ounces vodka
1.5 ounces Sweet and Sour mix (more to taste)
club soda
ice cubes

Pour the vodka into a glass with ice cubes. Add the sweet and sour mix. Add club soda to your taste, about 5 ounces. Add a splash of grenadine, if you like that sort of thing.

Stir and enjoy!

homemade sweet and sour mix

store this in a couple of mason jars in the fridge for up to one week. It's so much fresher and tastier than the store bought version

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh lime juice

Bring the water to a boil in a small pot. Stir in the sugar until dissolved and remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon and lime juice.
Store covered in the fridge for up to one week.

Source: www.bunsinmyoven.com

tom collins

When it comes to cocktails this one was my first love....me and Tommy were friends for a long time!  It's so good and refreshing, get in warmer weather too!

• 2 ounces gin (any dry gin will work)
• 1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• Club soda or sparkling water
• lemon wedge or lemon wheel for garnish

Pour all of the ingredients except the club soda in a mixing glass and shake vigorously. Strain into a collins glass filled with ice and top off with club soda. Use the lemon wedge or wheel for garnish. Enjoy!

classic gimlet

• 2 – 2 1/2 ounces of Gin
• 3/4 ounce of lime cordial
• Lime wheel for garnish

Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake until the tin is frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the lime wheel. Enjoy!

whiskey smash

Get out your Irish whiskey and toast to the motherland!

1. squeeze 1 fresh lemon into a cocktail shaker.
2. add 1 oz. of simple syrup (make your own- sugar dissolved in boiling water then cooled)
3. add 2 oz. whiskey.
4. top with ice, shake and strain into a glass, add a few mint leaves, top with fresh ice and praise the Irish!


Source: Redbook March 2013

3 point weight watcher smoothies

Brainy Blueberry Smoothie

1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced

1 cup blueberries, frozen

1 packet of vanilla stevia

1 tsp of lemon/lime juice

1 cup of pure water

3-6 ice cubes

First, pour water and juice into the blender. Second, place the banana on the bottom with the frozen berries and ice on top. Blend on low for 10-20 seconds. Then increase the speed to medium/high until creamy smooth. Serves 1

204 Calories – 0.9g Fat – 7g Fiber - 3 Weight Watcher Points

Easy Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced

1 1/2 cup strawberries, frozen

1 packet of vanilla stevia

1 tsp of lemon/lime juice

1 cup of pure water

3 ice cubes

First, pour water and juice into the blender. Second, place the banana on the bottom with the frozen berries and ice on top. Blend on low for 10-20 seconds. Then increase the speed to medium/high until creamy smooth. Serves 1

190 Calories – 1.1g Fat – 7.9g Fiber - 3 Weight Watcher Points

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

1 banana, frozen

1 cup strawberries, frozen

1 1/2 teaspoon stevia

1/2 water

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup plain yogurt

4 ice cubes

First, pour water and yogurt into the blender. Second, place the banana on the bottom with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend on low for 10-20 seconds. Then increase the speed to medium/high until creamy smooth. Serves 1

279 Calories – 3.7g Fat – 5.9g Fiber - 5 Weight Watcher Points

Apple Raspberry Smoothie

1 banana

2 apples, core removed

1/2 cup grapes

1/2 cup raspberries

1 teaspoon stevia

1/2 cup water

6 ice cubes

Add the banana, apples, grapes, raspberries, stevia, water and ice into the blender in that order. Blend on low for 15 seconds. Then blend on high until smooth. Enjoy! Serves 1

311 Calories – 1.4g Fat – 14.1g Fiber - 6 Weight Watcher Points

Banana Berry Smoothie

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=102061

Triple Berry Smoothie 
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 1 pt • Points+: 2 pt 
Calories: 68.4 • Fat: 0.4 g • Protein: 3.3 g • Carb: 12.9 g • Fiber: 3.1 g   

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup blackberries and raspberries
• 5 medium strawberries
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 6 oz WW berries and cream nonfat yogurt

Directions: 

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve with a straw.

Home-made Jamba Juice Banana Berry Smoothie - 6 WW pts.

219 calories

1 g fat

Ingredients

⅓ cup apple juice

⅓ cup V8 V-Fusion Light Strawberry Banana, see shopping tip

½ medium frozen banana, prep tip

⅓ cup frozen blueberries

¼ cup frozen strawberries

2 tablespoons fat-free frozen vanilla yogurt, see shopping tip

2 tablespoons frozen raspberry sorbet, see shopping tip

Instructions

1. In a blender, add all ingredients and blend on high speed until smooth.  If necessary, stir a bit to loosen ingredients and blend again until smooth.

Makes 1 large smoothie (to cut calories and points, make this smoothie to serve 2)

Antioxident-Friendly Berry Bliss 

• 1 cup non fat plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup frozen berries ( or any type of frozen fruit)
• 1 bananas, cut up
• 1/4 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• flax seeds, crushed (optional) or wheat germ (optional)

1. Place all ingredients in a blender; mix well.
   
   

   Nutrition Facts

   Serving Size: 1 (243 g)

   Servings Per Recipe: 2

   Amount Per Serving

   % Daily Value

   Calories 151.0

   Calories from Fat 38

   25%

   Amount Per Serving

   % Daily Value

   Total Fat 4.2g

   6%

   Saturated Fat 2.6g

   13%

   Cholesterol 15.9mg

   5%

   Sugars 17.8 g

   Sodium 57.5mg

   2%

   Total Carbohydrate 24.9g

   8%

   Dietary Fiber 1.8g

   7%

   Sugars 17.8 g

   71%

   Protein 5.2g

   10%

   © 

frozen verbena mojitio

I pregnant right now with baby 3 so a cocktail is totally off limits but this one looks like heaven.  Maybe next summer.....

*if you can't find fresh verbena use fresh mint

10 large lemon verbena leaves

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

4 cups ice

2 limes

1/2 cup (or maybe a bit more) lemon flavored rum (I used Bacardi Limón)

15 – 20 fresh mint leaves

10-15 small lemon verbena leaves

To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat.  Tear the 10 large verbena leaves into pieces and add them to the sugar water.  Continue to heat over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow to cool.  Once the syrup has cooled, remove and discard the verbena leaves.


In the large bowl of the Ninja Master Prep Blender ($40 retail)  or a blender, add the four cups of ice.  Pulse the ice mixture a few times until the ice is chopped finely (almost like snow – yes, it actually works with no liquid!).  Add the verbena-infused syrup and squeeze the juice from both limes into the bowl. Add the rum and the remaining verbena and mint leaves. Blend again, pulsing the mixture until smooth.

Serve immediately garnished with additional verbena or lime slices.

Source: http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com/2009/10/frozen-verbena-mojitos/

emeril's whiskey sour

• 1 1/2 ounces whiskey (or bourbon, Scotch, Canadian whiskey, or Irish whiskey)
• 4 ounces sour mix, recipe follows
• Crushed ice
• 1 maraschino cherry

Combine the whiskey and sour mix in a large old-fashioned glass with ice. Stir, garnish with cherry, and serve.

Sour Mix:

1-ounce lemon juice

1-ounce sugar

2 ounces water

Combine lemon juice and sugar, then dilute with water and stir to dissolve sugar.

Yield: 4 ounces/ 1 drink

Source: Food Network

lemonade

• 8 lemons, juiced
• 2 quart water
• 1 cup white sugar

1. Boil about 1 1/2 cups of the water, remove from heat and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir until dissolved.  Add to the 2 quart pitcher.  
2. In a 2 quart pitcher, combine the lemon juice, water and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill in refrigerator.

*I used 8 lemons and it juiced 2 cups of fresh lemon juice

made 6/29/2012

mojito

Time for summer!

• 10 fresh mint leaves (or spearmint leaves)
• 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges
• 2 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 1/2 fluid ounces white rum
• 1/2 cup club soda (or 7 up)

1. Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

Variations:

-use about 1 1/2 teaspoon white sugar and use 7UP instead of club soda.

-use diet seven up instead of club soda and 1 equal packet instead of the sugar.

-muddled the mint leaves with the sugar with a motar /pedstal and then added the lime as suggested and it turned out great no need to use simple syrup when you do this.

-use  Agave syrup  instead of sugar

-use simple syrup instead of sugar

-use sprite for the club soda and only 1/2 T sugar

- muddle the mint with the sugar first. Then muddle the limes in there. 

Another Version:

• Ice
• 6 ounces light rum
• 12 mint sprigs, or spearmint, 8 roughly broken apart
• 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• Club soda
• 4 slices lime

Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, 8 broken up mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar. Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass. Top off each glass with a splash of club soda.

Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.

skinny beer-gartias

• 2 cups frozen limeade (recipe below)

• 2 bottles of light beer (corona or any light beer)

• 1/2 cup tequila

Limeade:

• 1 cup fresh lime juice + 2 limes for zesting

• 1 1/2 cups of water

• 1 1/2 cups Splenda sugar blend

To make the limeade:

Zest two limes.  In a large saucepan, combine water, 
Splenda and lime zest and heat until Splenda is 
completely dissolved.  Remove from heat and 
allow to cool at room temperature.  Stir in lime juice 
and freeze your limeade concentrate until ready to use.

To make the beer-garitas:

In a pitcher, combine frozen limeade, 2 beers and 
1/2 cup of tequila.  Place pitcher in the freezer 
overnight until frozen through, then mix so that 
it is in slushy form and serve.  Enjoy!   

Source: http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2012/02/skinny-beer-garitas.html

5 WW points plus

champagne punch

• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine, chilled
• 1 liter carbonated water, chilled
• 2 (750 milliliter) bottles champagne, chilled
• 1 lemon - sliced, for garnish
• 1/2 cup fresh mint, garnish

1. In large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice concentrate, pink lemonade concentrate, limeade concentrate, white wine, club soda and champagne. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/champagne-punch-iii/

spiked pink lemonade

• 1 bottle (750 ml) vodka or gin
• 5 cups lemonade
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 3 cups ginger ale

• Just stir and serve!