Watermelon Mojito

The weekend is almost here - whoo hoo! If you're looking to kick back with some fruity refreshment, try a watermelon mojito. It's now my second favorite summer beverage. My other favorite is a minty mojito, made using my friend Rich's recipe. I follow it exactly, including making a jar of simple syrup to keep in the fridge. That is one GOOD mojito!


The watermelon variation comes from Martha. Her recipe is quite similar, swapping out fresh muddled watermelon instead of seltzer. She uses granulated sugar, but I like to use simple syrup. Make it with or without rum. But fresh limes and mint leaves are an absolute MUST. 


Cheers to summer!

Shaken Iced Passion Tea Lemonade Recipe

I finally did it. I almost replicated Starbucks Shaken Iced Passion Tea Lemonade Recipe. I say "almost" because it's not quite exactly the same, but it's pretty darn close.

If you remember from this post, I couldn't get enough of this refreshing summer drink, made with Tazo Passion Tea, Lemonade, and sweetened with sugar. Thank you once again Miss Christy for introducing me to this tart treat. But for a few bucks per cup I wondered how difficult could it be to make at home?

After some online investigating and talking with my friend Heather, who also fell in love with it, I decided to try it. One youtube video was very helpful and the basis for my recipe (the lady on the video tends to ramble a bit but she was very thorough in her explanation).

The key is the Tazo Passion Tea concentrate. I brought 1 gallon of water to a boil in a large cooking pot and added 16 teabags. 

I let it steep for a few minutes, removed the tea bags and let it cool. Then I poured it into a 1 gallon pitcher and put it in the fridge. 

Photo courtesy of wegmans.com
In another pitcher, I made Wegmans Pink Lemonade (from concentrate).You could use regular lemonade if you like.

Then it was time to experiment with the ratio of tea, lemonade and sugar. I filled my giant reusable PBA free cup about 3/4 with ice. Then I poured in the tea concentrate to fill the cup 3/4 full, maybe a little more. Then I added a small pour of lemonade. I found out that there really isn't a whole lot of lemonade in this drink. So don't overdo it. To finish it off, one teaspoon of real sugar was enough sweetener for me. Maybe you'll like more/less. Give it a good stir or shake it up in a shaker if you have time.

I have been enjoying one of these every other morning or so for the past two weeks! Sooo refreshing. And tart. Yet sweet. If you like a "magical blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, rose hips, mango, and passion fruit flavors" (like the tea box states), give it a try!

DIY Iced Coffee

You could label me a conservative coffee drinker. I like coffee, but I’m not an every-day-have-to-have-it kind of coffee lover. I refuse to become addicted. And I’m selective when it comes to brands and flavors. While I occasionally like hot coffee (primarily in cold weather), I really like iced coffee (especially in warm weather). However, all coffee must be consumed in the morning or afternoon hours, between 7am and 2pm, or else I won’t be able to sleep that night. Unless it’s a special occasion like a wedding reception, when they serve coffee with dessert in the evening and you need caffeine to dance the night away. See? Too many rules for coffee and I. But when the rules are followed, it’s a beautiful thing. If it involves a shot of hazelnut or caramel it’s a very good thing.

I am still loyal to McDonalds hazelnut iced coffee. But I don’t always have time (or money) for the drive-through on my way to work. I’ve tried making my own iced coffee at home, but it’s usually disappointing. The flavor just isn’t the same. The coffee has to be waaaaay cooled down so it doesn’t melt all the ice. The ratio of cream and sugar has to be right. It’s a lot of effort for not-so-great results.

Enter Pioneer Woman (once again). You are so wise red-headed cooking guru. Thank you for sharing your recipes and wisdom, so people like me can make iced coffee for realz. Ree’s recipe for Perfect Iced Coffee is no joke. I followed it exactly (including the cheesecloth, but you could use paper towel or maybe even a filter) and was VERY pleased and excited with the results. Her step-by-step recipe with beautiful photos will guide you too, in making your own batch. Please visit her site for complete details. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
• 8 quarts Cold Water
• Milk / Half-and-half / Sweetened Condensed Milk (dairy product of choice)
• Sweetener (sugar, artificial sweetener, flavored syrups)

*I cut the recipe in half, using ½ pound of ground coffee and 4 quarts cold water. I was able to mix it in a large soup pot with a lid and keep it in my refrigerator overnight until straining it the next day. 

Directions:

See Link Here

 

Now I have a pitcher of coffee concentrate in my refrigerator ready to go whenever I’m in the mood for iced coffee! I just add ice, a little milk or a splash half and half, some sugar (must add sugar), stir it up, and sip refreshing coffee goodness. Ahhhh…….

I am now could become addicted to this!