Cran Raspberry Drink

My daughter had this drink on the last day of school. She kept asking me to make it for her. When we first tasted it, it was very tart. Since my daughter said it should be sweeter, I made a simple syrup. I was informed I did it right that time. I may be adding vodka to mine by the end of the summer.

Cran Raspberry Drink
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 cup Cran Raspberry Cocktail
4 cup seltzer water
1 lemon
1 lime
slices of lemons and limes for garnish

Directions:

1. In a medium pan, add the sugar and water to make a simple syrup.
2. Mix and bring to a boil.
3. Allow the simple syrup to cool.
4. In a large pitcher, add the Cran Raspberry cocktail with the seltzer water. 
5. Add the juice of one lemon and lime. 
6. Add the simple syrup to the pitcher. Mix well.
7. Garnish with the lemon and lime slices.

Recipe adapted from a school recipe.

One year ago....................................I made Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Two years ago..................................I made Vigins Bloody Marys.

Did you already know........................
-Seltzer water is water with carbonation added to it.
-Seltzer water derives naturally from the minerals springs in the German town of Selters. 
-No minerals are added to seltzer water like club soda.

Berry Tea

My Dad is from Mississippi and he brought us up drinking sweet tea. Normally, he made sun tea. We loved it. While my sister was visiting, I would make some sweet tea. My nieces and my sister really liked the tea so I wanted to post it for her. This way she can make it any time she wants. Now, I know there are more sweet tea recipes than the alphabet. My Dad always added his sugar after the tea was brewed. I've seen many sweet tea with a simple sugar added. Well, I really just wanted to speed up the process to save time so I melt the sugar in the water before adding the tea bags. (Yes, how dare I use a pot but please forgive me since my teapot broke.) Since it is berry season, I have added berries to my tea many times. Today's berry of choice was blackberries.

Berry Sweet Tea
Sweet Tea:
8 cups cold water
1 cup sugar
3 black tea bags

Directions:

1. In a small pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
2. Add the sugar and stir. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Allow to steep until a dark amber color about 4 minutes.
4. Add the remaining cold water.
5. Serve immediately with ice or refrigerate.

Berry mixture per serving:
1/8 cup berries (4 blackberries)
1/4 tsp sugar

Directions:

1. Pour one glass of beverage.
2. Sprinkle the berries with the sugar.
3. Mush the berries. 
4. Add the mashed berry sugar mixture to the glass and serve immediately.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago...........................I made Steak and Ale Pie.

Did you already know...............
-Tea bags were invented in America.
-The first tea bag patent was in 1905.
-96% of tea drinks use a tea bag.

Raspberry Ginger Ale

I saw this great recipe for a Raspberry Ginger Bellini. It was something I would definitely try but the children were home. Instead, I figured I would try making raspberry ginger ale. The kids loved it. They thought it was the best thing ever especially when I poured the ginger ale and it fuzzed up. They also could have been excited about having soda since they don't have it often.

Raspberry Ginger Ale   Makes 2 serving sizes

1/2 cup raspberries
2 Tbsp simple syrup, if needed for sweetness
2 cups ginger ale

Directions:

1. In a small bowl (or measuring cup if you hate dishes), smash the raspberries.*
2. Place 1/2 the smashed raspberries in a bottom of one glass and the rest in another glass.
3. Add 1 Tbsp of simple syrup to each glass, if desired.
4. Top with 1 cup of ginger ale in each glass.
5. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Jen of Sweet Morris.
*Tip: I recommend you straining it if your were going to serve it to guest but the kids do not mind the seeds.

One year ago.........................I made Chock Full of Nuts Cookies.

Did you already know...........
-A typical Bellini is cocktail made with sparkling wine and peach puree.
-The Bellini was invented in Italy by Giuseppe Cipriani.
-Another popular version of the Bellini uses champagne.

Mixed Berry Lemonade

Do you have any plans to celebrate Patriot's Day? If you live in Massachusetts and Maine, Patriot's Day is an observed state holiday. The children have no school. Battles of the American Revolutionary War are reenacted. One of the oldest annual marathon is happening in Boston. If one is interested, they can see a Boston Red Sox Game at Fenway. Or one can just relax and enjoy a drink of their choice. This drink is one of my favorite drinks. I love lemonade and I love berries so this is my ideal drink next to ice tea. 

Mixed Berry Lemonade
5 large lemons
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 cups cold water

Directions:

1. Using a juicer or squeezer, squeeze the lemons to extract the juice into a pitcher. (Make sure to remove the seeds-it is easier to do it now.)
2. Defrost the berries for a few seconds in a microwave or under warm water.
3. Place half of the mixed berries with the sugar into the pitcher. 
4. Smash the berries a few times.
5. Add the remaining berries with the water. Mix well.

Recipe created by Allie of Sweet Morris (because she loves her Mom).

One year ago.........................I made Peanut Butter Cupcakes.

Did you already know...........
-Patriot's Day is to observe the first battle of the American Revolutionary War.
-The Battles of Lexington and Concord occurred in Massachusetts.
-On April 19, 1775, the battles began at Lexington around 4:30 am before proceeding to Concord.

Fresa Agua Fresca

Several years ago, I had a family portrait done of us. I keep it on the computer as the wallpaper. My youngest son wanted to us the computer but could not connect online. While he waited, he leaned forward to study the photo. He said to me, "Boy, do I look young." I started to laugh and I replied, "Son, you are young." My seven year leans forward and says so kindly, "Alright, boy do you guys look young." Thanks Son!

 As you can guess, I will be having an entertaining weekend with my son and family. Sunday is suppose to be beautiful. Tomorrow, I will visit my wonderful Mom. Then next day, I will be relaxing! (I have to take advantage of this since the only other day I am pampered is my birthday!) I wish you a Happy Mother's Day weekend too! If you are planning to make a meal for your Mom, I highly recommend this drink. If your Mom doesn't like strawberries, you can try maybe blueberries and lemons. If your Mom likes some rum, it would be a nice addition. The kids couldn't get enough of this drink. The pitcher was gone within minutes. I have already said this is a must on our menu for the picnic. 

Fresh Strawberry Water Drink
2 cups water
15 oz. bag of frozen strawberries, unthawed
2 limes
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. In a blender, add the water and strawberries.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Squeeze the juice of the two limes into the strawberry mixture.
4. Add the sugar to the desired sweetness.
5. Blend well and drink!

Recipe adapted from Myrecipes website.

Did you already know....
 -Fresca is the Spanish word for fresh.
-Agua is the Spanish word for water.
- Fresa is the Spanish word for strawberries. It also is a slang word for a preppy person.

She is making faces in the background!

Happy Mother's Day!