Mulled Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Pretty to look at, even more delicious to sip, this mulled cranberry vodka cocktail boasts the best flavors of the season in a refreshing drink that goes down way too easy. Mix up a batch for your holiday party!

My younger daughter is a fan of mulled wine. I can take it or leave it. But I think I have finally found a mulled drink I do love. Mulled cranberry juice is lighter than wine and lends itself to a cold cocktail as easily as a warming cup.

I also chose not to simmer the juice with the spices for hours on end. A quick boil and time to infuse while the drink cools gives just the right amount of seasonal spiciness that is not cloying or overwhelming. The tart cranberry still shines through brightly. And look at the beautiful color!

Have I convinced you yet? Do give this a try. And make sure you scroll down to see the rest of the winter cocktail recipes my Sunday Supper group are sharing today.

Mulled Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Ingredients
For the mulled cranberry juice:
4 1/4 cups or 1 liter cranberry juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
zest 1/2 clementine

For the garnish:
1/4 cup or 35g fresh cranberries
1/8 cup or 25g sugar

For the cocktail:
1 1/2 oz or ml vodka
8 oz or 240ml mulled cranberry juice
Ice

Method
Use a sharp knife to remove the zest from half of your clementine, leaving behind as much of the white pith as possible.

Add the cinnamon stick, cloves and clementine zest to the cranberry juice in a medium sized pot. Bring the juice to a boil. Boil briefly, about 3-4 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave to cool.

Once cool, strained the mulled cranberry juice to remove the spices and clementine zest, then chill it in the refrigerator.

Wash the cranberries thoroughly and dry them in a colander until just damp. Roll them in the sugar until completely coated. Use a sharp cocktail stick to poke through three or four per stick to create the garnish. Set aside on a clean plate sprinkled with a little more sugar.

When you are ready to serve the mulled cranberry vodka cocktail, fill your glasses with 5-6 ice cubes.

Add in the vodka and top up with mulled cranberry juice. Garnish with the sugar-coated cranberry skewers, if desired.

Enjoy!

Check out all of the winter cocktail recipes we are sharing today. Many thanks to our event manager, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.

Cocktail Shakers

• Bourbon Flipby Sunday Supper Movement
• Buttery Nipple Cocktail by Positively Stacey
• Candy Cane Cocktail by My Blissful Mess
• Cranberry Moscow Mule by Restless Chipotle
• Ginger Caramel Apple Mule by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Mincemeat Manhattan by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Mulled Cranberry Vodka Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
• Snow Honey Cocktail by Our Good Life
• Sugar Plum Martini by Pies and Plots

Winter Wines and Punch

• Apple Cider Sangria by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Christmas Party Punch by Palatable Pastime
• Cranberry Champagne Cocktail by The Freshman Cook
• Gluhwein (German Mulled Wine) by Caroline’s Cooking
• Rosemary and Blood Orange Sangria for a Party by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

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T.R.'s Mulled Cider Martini

Celebrate fall with a spicy seasonal mulled cider martini. Like all good martinis, it’s made 007-style, shaken not stirred.

This week my Sunday Supper family is honoring one of our own, T.R. of Gluten Free Crumbly, who lost his battle with cancer this year, not long after winning Blogger of the Year at the Food Wine Conference in May. We are sharing gluten free recipes, some from T.R.’s own blog so make sure to scroll down and check out the list.

T.R. was an absolute hoot, quick to dance and joke, and I honestly believe that he never met a stranger. His infectious laugh would get us all going. I wanted to share one of his recipes today so I started watching his YouTube videos and couldn’t stop laughing, even through my tears. We all miss T.R. so much.

T.R.’s mulled cider 007 martini, or double-o-tini, as he liked to call it, requires two steps if you don’t have mulled cider already. If you do, feel free to skip straight to shaking your martini!

Ingredients
For the mulled cider:
4 1/4 cups or 1L apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons or 12g whole allspice
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons or 14g whole cloves
1/4 cup dark rum
You can read T.R.’s original post on the Wayback Machine.

Method
To make the mulled cider, put the apple cider in a large pot with the cinnamon sticks and spices.

Measure out the dark rum and add it to the cider.

Use a sharp knife to remove the peel from the orange, trying to get as little of the white pith as you can manage. Add the orange peel to the cider as well.
Cover the pot and put it on a low fire to simmer for an hour. Strain to remove the spices and orange peel. This can now be served warm or leave the mulled apple cider to cool then chill to make the double-o-tini.

T.R.’s Mulled Cider Martini

Ingredients
For the mulled cider martini:
Several cubes ice
1 1/2 oz or 45ml cold mulled cider
1 oz or 30ml vodka

Laugh along with T.R. as he shakes his double-o-tini. Written instructions follow.



Method
Add ice to your shaker, along with the mulled cider and vodka. Shake till it gets too cold to hold.  This must be shaken, not stirred! That’s where the 007 comes in.

Pour into a martini glass and garnish, if desired, with a cinnamon stick. (I also added a little orange peel because, why not?)

Enjoy!

Check out all of the gluten free holiday recipes we have for you today!

Sleigh Ride Starters

• Pepperoni Soft Pretzels by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Pumpkin Bread with Maple Walnut Glaze by My Life Cookbook
• Savory Chickpea Banana Pepper Fritters by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• T.R.’s Mulled Cider Martini by Food Lust People Love

Seasons Greetings Sides

• Balsamic Braised Red Cabbage by Take A Bite Out of Boca
• Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes by Sunday Supper Movement
• Gluten Free Turkey Gravy by Jersey Girl Cooks
• Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing or Dressing by Palatable Pastime
• Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash by Cooking Chat
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Squash With Cranberry Cider Glaze by The Crumby Kitchen
• T.R.’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce by Hardly A Goddess

Making Things Merry Main Dish

• Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap by Life Tastes Good
• Easy Mexican Chicken Bowl by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Pork Fried Rice by The Freshman Cook
• Turkey Ham Scalloped Potatoes and Kale by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Vietnamese Chicken Salad by Caroline’s Cooking

Decking the Halls Desserts

• Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Flourless Chocolate Cookies by Pies and Plots
• Gluten Free Fudge by Our Good Life
• Grandma’s Peanut Butter Balls by Cricket’s Confections
• No Bake Gluten Free Fudgy Brownies by Simple and Savory
• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies by Desserts Required
• The Worlds Best Gluten Free Sweet Potato Brownies by Bites of Wellness
• White Chocolate Crème Brûlée by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Pin it!

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Mother’s Ruin (Gin) Punch

Originally created by master bartender Philip Ward, Mother’s Ruin Punch is a refreshingly light tasting punch made from gin, grapefruit and lemon juice, vermouth and sparkling wine. My version serves one.

Lately, I’ve been rediscovering the deliciousness of grapefruit juice in cocktails. My libation of choice when I was in Texas this summer was Deep Eddy’s Ruby Red Vodka with a capful of Campari, topped up with club soda. While in the south of France visiting friends in July, their “house” cocktail was a concoction of grapefruit cordial with sparkling rosé wine, served over ice. And now, Mother’s Ruin Punch. It’s supposed to be mixed up in greater quantities and served, as the name implies, as punch from a punch bowl but is easily adapted to serve one. For the original recipe, check out this link on Food and Wine.

This week the Sunday Supper theme is Back to School and everyone is bringing you recipes for great lunch box fare or quick dishes that are perfect for a busy school night. I couldn’t resist going in another direction to bring you a delightful cocktail that is as celebratory as it is refreshingly delicious. For many parents, it’s been a long hot summer, full of keeping children busy and barbecues and campouts and sleepovers and late night snacks and summer book assignments and ball games and lazy mornings. But you made it through! Tuck the children into bed and treat yourself to a special cocktail.

Do you have any special rituals for the first day of school? My baby graduated from university in May so this is the first year since 1995 that I won’t be sending anyone off to school. It’s bittersweet, friends, bittersweet.

Ingredients for one cocktail
Several cubes ice
1 tablespoon simple syrup (I used simple syrup made from demerara sugar.)
1 1/2 oz or 45ml gin
1 1/2 oz or 45ml fresh grapefruit juice, plus thinly sliced grapefruit, for garnish
3/4 oz or 22.5ml fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz or 22.5ml sweet vermouth
About 1/2 cup or 120ml chilled sparkling wine or Champagne

Method
Cut a couple of thin slices off of your grapefruit for garnish and then juice the rest of the fruit.

Tuck one of the grapefruit slices in a tall glass then add in several cubes of ice.

Pour in the simple syrup, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, vermouth and gin. Give it a good stir, adding another cube or two of ice and a second grapefruit slice.

Top up with sparkling wine.

Enjoy!

Many thanks to our hosts this week, DB from Crazy Foodie Stunts and Caroline from Caroline’s Cooking. We hope you find lots of recipes that make Back to School more enjoyable and fun!

Getting Started On School Days

• Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins by Caroline's Cooking
• Caramel Apple Granola by What Smells So Good?
• Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars by Ruffles & Truffles
• Cinnamon Chocolate Overnight Oats by Whole Food | Real Families
• Funfetti French Toast by Brunch with Joy
• PB&J Muffins by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Ideas for the Lunchbox

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich by Cooking Chat
• Healthy Lunchbox Snack Mix by Noshing with the Nolands
• Mini Pepperoni Calzones by The Redhead Baker
• Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls by Curious Cuisiniere

After School Snacks and Beverages

• Back to School Cookies by The Freshman Cook
• Fruit 'n Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bites by The Weekend Gourmet
• Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits by An Appealing Plan
• Mother’s Ruin Punch by Food Lust People Love
• "Nut Butter" Rice Crispy Balls by Books n' Cooks
• Parmesan Crisps Recipe by Life Tastes Good
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Monkey Bread by Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Apple Nachos by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Quinoa, Oat and Pecan Blueberry Peach Crumb Bars by Simply Healthy Family
• Waffle Pizzas by Our Good Life

School Night Suppers

• Beef Peppers and Onions Burritos by Family Foodie
• One Pot Bacon-Cheeseburger Pasta by A Gouda Life
• Oven Fried Portabello Mushroom Fries by Food Done Light
• Peanut Chicken Cutlets by Magnolia Days
• Smoked Salmon Ravioli with Cream Sauce by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Turmeric Chicken and Couscous by Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Sweets to End the Day

• Gluten-Free Almond Joy Cupcakes by NinjaBaker
• M&M Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Oreo Rice Krispy Treats by The Crumby Cupcake
• Paleo Cherry Blondies by Pies and Plots
• Plum Crumble Bars by Feeding Big
• Stuffed Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Spicy Tahini Palmiers @NeighborFoodie

Ready rolled puff pastry spread with tahini, chilies and garlic and baked till crispy make great nibbles, perfect for a shower, birthday or even a cocktail party.

Today we are celebrating our fellow blogger and sweet friend Courtney of NeighborFood who will shortly be welcoming her ”little mister.” Since we can’t actually get together, Nancy from gotta get baked has organized a virtual baby shower, which doesn’t have gifts but certainly has a lot of good food to welcome the sweet baby boy and send best wishes to his eager parents. Make sure to scroll down to see the link list to all the party food! And if you want to follow Courtney for delicious dishes and upcoming baby news, do like her blog Facebook page or follow her on Instagram.

These puff pastry palmiers are so easy to make, and so delicious. I could have eaten the whole plate!

Ingredients
1/4 cup or 60g tahini
1 fresh red chili pepper
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 sheet ready rolled puff pastry, thawed.

Method
Chop chili finely. You can deseed first if you’d like to reduce the amount of spiciness. Put tahini, chopped chili, garlic, paprika and salt in a small bowl. Stir well.

Unroll your thawed puff pastry on top of a large piece of cling film.

Spread your paste evenly over the pastry, making sure to go all the way to edges.

Use the cling film underneath to help you fold the bottom in to the middle.

Now fold the top in to the middle.

Now fold the bottom over the top side as if you are closing a long book.

Use the cling film under the roll to tightly cover it and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F or 200°C.

Unwrap the roll and cut it in half. Rewrap one half and put it back in the refrigerator. Cut the other half in half inch or 1 cm slices with a sharp knife.

Lay the slices on a baking pan lined with parchment or a non-stick silicone mat. Leave room between them for puffing and spreading.

Bake for 10-12 minutes in your preheated oven on one side and then flip and bake 5-6 minutes more on the other, or until golden and crispy. Cool on a wire rack.

Repeat the process with the second half of the roll. This makes about 20 spicy tahini palmiers.

Enjoy!

Check out all the divine food we are bringing along to Courtney's virtual baby shower!

• Button Cookies from The Redhead Baker
• Coconut Peach Slush from Heather’s Dish
• Cream Soda Peach Floats from Jelly Toast
• Easy Apple Tart from gotta get baked
• Mango Pineapple Agua Fresca from Pineapple and Coconut
• Mocha Coconut Frappuccino Pie from Melanie Makes
• No Churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream from A Cookie Named Desire
• Spicy Tahini Palmiers from Food Lust People Love
• Strawberry Cheesecake Bars from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Twix Millionaire Bars from Wallflour Girl
• Vegan Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread from Namely Marly
• Watermelon Lime Mocktail from The Live-In Kitchen

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Rhubarb Fool Cocktail

A bright, refreshing drink that is just the right combination of tart and sweet, this rhubarb lovely is drizzled with a little cream and some tangerine or orange zest, and is guaranteed to get you in the holiday mood! 

The first time I ever saw rhubarb, perhaps in Sydney circa 1987, I had no idea what to do with it so I didn’t buy any. It looked like pink celery and that was odd. Was it a vegetable? Used for seasoning like celery was? I didn’t have a clue. Finally I bought one of the Australian Women’s Weekly magazines (This was, after all, way before I had internet access of any kind.) and all was revealed. Rhubarb is a fruit! Or at least it is used like a fruit, in compotes, pies and other baked goods. Technically, of course, it’s a vegetable.

Our favorite way to enjoy rhubarb, up till now, has been in an apple and rhubarb pie because the apples and rhubarb complement each other so nicely with the rhubarb breaking down completely and the apples still keeping a bit of their shape and bite.

Another favorite is the British classic rhubarb fool dessert made by folding stewed rhubarb through whipped cream.

But this drink, made with rhubarb syrup, may be my new favorite way to enjoy my tart pink friend. I mean, really, just look at that color!

This week my Sunday Supper group is gearing up for the holiday parties by bringing you a plethora of concoctions, some made to imbibe directly, others using alcohol as an ingredient or flavoring. Many thanks to DB from Crazy Foodie Stunts and Alice from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei In The Kitchen for hosting this fun event. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom to see the whole link list of libation-full recipes.

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz or 40ml rhubarb syrup
2 oz or 60ml vodka
2 cups crushed ice
Couple of tablespoons lightly whipped cream
Orange zest

Method
Put the crushed ice into a cocktail shaker and add in the rhubarb syrup and vodka.

Shake well for a minute or so, allowing the ice to melt a bit.

Pour the liquid through the strainer into a martini glass. Garnish with a drizzle – or more – of the whipped cream and a few pieces of orange zest.

I put my whipped cream in a decorating bag for easy drizzling but you can just as easily pile the cream into the top of the glass.

Enjoy!

If you are feeling extra generous, let your helper lick the cream off your empty glass. 

We are set to PARTY this holiday season! Join us!

Libations

• Big Easy Milk Punch by The Weekend Gourmet
• Blue Sparkling Star Cocktail by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Boozy Iced Spanish Coffee by Nosh My Way
• Campari Mint Spritzer by eating in instead
• Cranberry Moscow Mule by Ruffles & Truffles
• Creamy, Loaded Eggnog by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Malibu Breeze by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Merry Berry Spritz by Amee's Savory Dish
• Minty Lime Rum by A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
• Pomegranate Panache by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Rhubarb Fool Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
• Southern Pomegranate Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands
• Sparkling Pomegranate Berry Punch by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Vanilla Baileys With A Twist by Momma's Meals

Savory and Sweet Libational Dishes

• Apple Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders by Curious Cuisiniere
• Beerberry Pancakes by Brunch with Joy
• Beet Relish by What Smells So Good?
• Belgian Beef Stew with Belgian Ale by Cooking On The Ranch
• Brandied Triple Cheese Ball by Magnolia Days
• Champagne Chicken by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Cornish Game Hens with Sausage Red Wine Sauce over Polenta by The Texan New Yorker
• Craft Beer Jelly by Nik Snacks
• Eggnog Dutch Baby Pancakes with Cranberries by The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Hot Buttered Rum Balls by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
• Lentil Soup with Wine Braised Shallots by Pancake Warriors
• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs by Cooking Chat

Libational Desserts

• Amaretto Coconut Biscotti with Amaretto Salted Caramel Drizzle by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Amaretto Cranberry Swirled Cheesecake by The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch
• Baked Pears with a Warm Tequila-Citrus Espuma by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Bourbon Cranberry Compote by Pies and Plots
• Caramelized Banana Upside-Down Rum Cake by Wallflour Girl
• Chocolate Stout Beer Brownies by The Perfect Brownie
• Dumante Frozen Espresso Creams by Seduction in the Kitchen
• Honey Chamomile Hot Toddy Tea Cake by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Kahlua Bundt Cake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Red Wine Poached Pears with Ricotta and Balsamic Glaze by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Rum Glazed Cookie Cream Buns by NinjaBaker
• Tiramisu Biscotti by The Redhead Baker

Watermelon Jalapeño Cocktail

Fresh sweet watermelon chunks blended with ice and the double kick of jalapeño and tequila make a refreshing summer drink that will heat you up and cool you down.

Today I am pleased to share a refreshing concoction I make with sweet Texas watermelons and farm fresh jalapeños for our watermelon Foodie Extravaganza event.

Growing up in the South, I learned to put salt on my watermelon and eat it with a sharp knife straight out of the rind. The salt brings out the sweetness in the watermelon somehow so I’ve also added a little bit to this summer drink. It’s hot, cold, sweet and salty, in the best possible way. Hope you find it as refreshing as we do!

Ingredients for one 1 1/2-quart or almost 1 1/2-liter pitcher
1/4 15-pound or 6.8kg sweet summer watermelon (preferably seedless)
1-inch or 2cm fresh jalapeño or to taste
4 oz tequila
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Ice

Optional garnish – watermelon wedge, sliced jalapeño and flakey sea salt, if desired, but highly recommended

Method
Cut your watermelon off the rind and into small chunks. (Remove the seeds if you couldn’t find a seedless one.)

Finely mince the piece of jalapeño.

Put the watermelon and jalapeño in the blender. Add the tequila and salt and top with ice.

Blend until smooth and frothy.

Pour into pretty glasses.

Garnish with a watermelon wedge and one thin slice of jalapeño, to alert your guests that this will be spicy.

Add an extra sprinkle of flakey sea salt, if desired.

Put the pitcher in the freezer between servings.  It’s even better when it gets a little frozen.

Enjoy!

So refreshing in the summer heat!

Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail

Herb-infused simple syrup is an easy way to make a cocktail special, adding flavor and freshness to the original mix in this Rosemary Nectarine Cocktail.

Every summer I go for what I call the Annual Mashing. I lost one precious maternal aunt to breast cancer and my paternal grandmother was a survivor so I know there is potential from both sides. If you are my friend on Facebook, you’ll know that I always post a message when I go, reminding everyone to make an appointment too. If only one person takes heed and gets a mammography in time to catch something before it gets bigger and less treatable, then the message is worth sharing. (In case you weren’t paying attention, here’s my public service announcement: Make your appointment NOW. Your family will thank you.)

One upside of the Annual Mashing is the nice magazines in the waiting room. This year I thumbed through a beautiful issue of Saveur while I waited for my turn and came across an article on a peach farmer in California, complete with recipes using fresh peaches. I couldn’t wait to get home to try the sparkling cocktail. And, after the mammogram, I figured I deserved it!

This week Sunday Supper is sharing picnic food and this lovely cocktail is perfect for serving outdoors. You make up the rosemary simple syrup and nectarine puree and transport them in clean jars in a cooler with the bubbly, mixing each glass as needed. Many thanks to our host Jane from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner and Heather from girlichef for her behind-the-scenes help.

Ingredients
For the simple syrup:
4 sprigs rosemary
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

For the nectarine puree:
2 medium nectarines
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 bottle (750ml) sparkling wine or Champagne

Method
In a small pot, heat the water, sugar and rosemary sprigs until the sugar completely dissolves and cook for a further few minutes at a low boil. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely.

Once cool, discard the rosemary sprigs and pour the simple syrup into a clean jar. Yield: about 1 1/4 cups or 300ml of rosemary simple syrup.

To make the nectarine puree, simply cut the nectarines up in chunks.

Mash with a hand blender until smooth. You can peel them if you want to but I like the pink shade that the peels add and don’t mind the little bits of peel in my drink.

Pour the puree into a clean jar and add the lemon juice.  Shake to combine. Yield: Just over 1 cup or 250ml nectarine puree.

To serve the cocktail, add 1-2 tablespoons nectarine puree and 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons rosemary simple syrup to each glass.

Top up with chilled cava, sparkling wine or Champagne.

Enjoy!

Are you planning a picnic for Fourth of July or just to celebrate summer? Check out the fabulous list of picnic friendly recipes we are bringing to the Big Virtual Picnic!

Beverages

• Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
• Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
• Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Appetizers

• Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
• Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Savory Red, White, and Bleu Truffles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Mains

• Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
• London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Sides

• Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
• Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Salads

• Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
• Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
• Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
• Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
• Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
• Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
• Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Loaded Potato Salad by Granny's Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
• Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
• Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
• Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
• Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
• Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
• Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
• Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
• Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
• Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
• Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Sandwiches and Wraps

• Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Panino con la Salamella by Manu's Menu
• Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin' Mimi

Sweets

• Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
• Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
• Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida's Kitchen
• Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
• Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
• Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
• S'mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
• Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
• Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
  

Pin this Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail!

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Authentic Caipirinhas

Caipirinhas are the quintessential Brazilian cocktail, made with local cane alcohol called cachaça, lots of lime juice and a big spoon of sugar. Just go easy because they sneak up on you.

It’s my birthday week so I am delighted to be starting it out with cocktails!  Check out the 28 festive libations my fellow bloggers have made for the party!  (I’m pretending they are all for my birthday!  Yay!)  I’m sharing one of my favorite cocktails, a love acquired when we lived in Brazil for several years.  My dear husband got very good at making caipirinhas, so he volunteered to do the needful while I took photos.

Ingredients
1 lime per glass
1 generous tablespoon sugar or more if you like things sweeter (Authentically, this should be coarse grain sugar but the normal white stuff works if that’s all you have.)
Crushed ice
Cachaça
Short straws

Method
Cut the lime into quarters and use your same sharp knife to remove all the seeds.  We happened to be using seedless limes this time.

Put the lime into a short glass, adding a generous tablespoon of sugar.  Or more if you like things sweet.

Smash the limes and sugar with a muddler.

Now fill the glass with crushed ice and top it up with cachaça.

Finally, give it a good stir.  Serve with a short straw for sipping.

Enjoy!

Now wasn't that simple?

Cheers to my fellow Cocktail Day bloggers, who are mixing it up with me today!  I'll take one of each, please!

• Pomegranate Party Punch by Cravings of a Lunatic 
• White Cosmopolitans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
• Hot Buttered Chocolate Rum by Cookistry 
• Apple Pie Moonshine by Lola’s Kitchen 
• Bacon Jalapeño Bloody Mary by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen 
• Blood Orange Old Fashioned by Kelly Bakes 
• Caipirinhas by Food Lust People Love 
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Martini by Hungry Couple 
• Chocolate Cupcake Cocktail by JavaCupcake 
• Ciderhouse Whiskey by From the Bookshelf 
• Citrus Cranberry Punch by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts 
• Coconut-Key Lime Pie Martini by Home Cooking Memories 
• Egyptian Martini by Cooking In Stilettos 
• Espresso Martini by Liv Life 
• Frosty Lemon Drop Martini by The Hopeless Housewife 
• Frozen Marshmallow Mudslide by 365 Days of Baking & More 
• Ginger Raspberry Fizzy by Try Anything Once 
• Iced Cake Martini by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks 
• Le Jardinier by Confessions of a Culinary Diva 
• Mandarin Mulled Wine by Food Babbles 
• Meyer Lemon Rosemary Gin Fizz by Crumb 
• Muddled Rosemary and Pineapple Cocktail by My Catholic Kitchen 
• Nutella Martini by The Pink Flour 
• Peach Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands 
• Pineapple Margarita by Miss in the Kitchen 
• Pomegranate Orange Spritzer by Dizzy Busy and Hungry 
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Consistently Delicious Margaritas

The weekend is here AND it’s summer! So here’s a recipe for those of you who can get your hands on Minutemaid Frozen Limeade Concentrate wherever you are in the world.  I don’t even know where I first learned to make this frozen concoction that helps Jimmy Buffett hang on but I know we were making them during my college years at UT Austin, and that is a very long time ago. 

(For those of you who cannot get it, I found this recipe here.  Haven’t tried it yet but the comments section says it can be used exactly like the concentrated limeade  I can’t wait to try this when I am home with my own freezer because I haven’t seen Minute Maid for sale in Cairo.  Further bulletins as events warrant.)

Like my rum punch, the measures are simple and you cannot screw this up.

Ingredients

1 small can Minute Maid Frozen Concentrate Limeade (6 oz or 177ml)

1 can's worth tequila (6 oz or 177ml)

1/2 can's worth Cointreau, Triple Sec or Grand Marnier (3 oz or 88ml)

Ice

In Kuala Lumpur (where my can came from the Mini Mart – oh, how I miss you, dear Mini Mart – they only have the large cans, so I had to use a measuring cup instead of the can itself for measuring.  I took two cans with me in a cooler on the plane to Cairo when we moved, in case you are wondering, along with bacon, sausage, a pork roast and pecans.  Traveling light are not words in my vocabulary, apparently.  You have got to know what's important, folks. Priorities!

Anyhoo, on to margaritas.

Method

In a good blender with the power to crush ice, mix together the limeade concentrate, the tequila and the Cointreau.

Add in a few cubes of ice and start blending.

Keep dropping in cubes of ice through the hole in the blender lid until the level almost reaches the top of the blender.  Sometimes you have to give the ice cube a small poke to make it fall through the frozen concoction as the blender gets more full.  You will know it has reached the blades by the grinding noise.

Blend until all the chunks of ice are completely gone. 

If you want salt around the rim of your glass, dip one finger into the blender of margaritas and then run it around the rim.  Turn the glass over in a saucer with a thin layer of salt in the bottom.   Turn upright once more and fill.  (Sorry - forgot to take a photo of this step.)

I don’t have pretty margarita glasses but it tastes just as delicious in these.  

Happy Summer!  Enjoy!