Tag Archives: party food

Nectarine-tinis with Mint

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Post and recipe by Erica, my mahvellous sister. She’s a culinary goddess, so enjoy!

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This simple little drink is surprisingly delicious. I threw it together one night when I had a hankering for a frozen-type drink with the ingredients that we had on hand, and we have made it several times since.

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It’s my husband’s new favorite (and he really likes a strong, dark beer, so that’s saying something!).

I bet it would be really good made with strawberries too, since mint and strawberries are one of my favorite flavor combos. I’ll have to pick some up and try it out next time we go to the Commissary.

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This would be a delicious virgin drink too. Just substitute the vodka for sprite or ginger ale and the triple sec for orange juice.

It’s important to get the ice really finely blended for a silky-smooth texture. I use this handy little blender my mother in law gave us to make baby food, and it works be-yewtifully. I think it’s actually a slushy-specific blender…. But a normal blender works too–all the same, just different sizes.

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Nectarine-tinis with Mint

Makes 2 servings

1 ripe nectarine, quartered (skin on)
½- 1 TBSP sugar
2 oz vodka
1 oz triple sec
2-3 leaves mint
2 c ice cubes

Pop your nectarine slices in the blender along with the booze . . .

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. . . sugar . . .

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. . . and mint.

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No need to skin the nectarine- the skin ends up adding lovely color and you can’t even tell it’s in there texture-wise.

Give ‘er a whirl.

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Once it’s mostly pureed, add the ice cubes. Blend till smooth.

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Feel free to add more ice cubes in order to get that nice thick, silky texture. Taste-test and add more sugar or mint as needed.

Pour into chilled martini or wine glasses, garnish with a sprig of mint . . .

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. . . kick back, and enjoy!

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Pineapple Coconut Mojito

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A couple weeks ago, my husband and I headed out for a spontaneous date. Spontaneous outings are quite rare these days, but that evening my brother-in-law was staying with us and our toddler was sleeping sweetly in her crib. So, feeling free as birds, we hopped on the bus and headed to the beach.

After a gorgeous walk on the lake, we went to dinner, where I proceeded to order the most delicious mojito I’ve ever had. I begged our server to find out how I could make such a thing at home, and she returned with instructions that I promptly typed into my phone. They were a little vague, but they revolved around this flavored rum:

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I experimented a little, and here is what I concocted at home–an amazing little drink.

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The finished beverage came into being right as Alice was getting sleepy and ready for her bedtime, so she approached me with her blankie.

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Stop drinking, Mom, and put me to bed!

You’ll be happy to know that I complied.

Ingredients

(makes 1 drink)

For the mojito

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 large sprigs of fresh mint

For the mojito

8 fresh mint leaves
2 chunks fresh pineapple
1 TBS mint-infused simple syrup
1 oz fresh lime juice + 1 lime wedge
2 oz Bacardi Pineapple Fusion (pineapple-coconut flavored rum)
3 oz club soda/seltzer water

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  1. For the simple syrup, bring the water, sugar and mint to a boil in a small pot. Stir to combine, then turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Store refrigerated in a glass container for up to a month.
  2. For the mojito, muddle the mint, lime wedge and pineapple with the simple syrup and lime juice.
  3. Mix in the chilled rum, with ice if you want it extra cold.
  4. Stir in the chilled club soda. Enjoy!

DSC_0015Click here for printer-friendly version: Pineapple Coconut Mojito