Thirsty Thursday ~ Coconut Champagne Fruit Punch

Ok, so now that I'm getting into the groove (mostly) of being more healthy and exercising more, I save up some calories for a cocktail here or there (and here and there).  But I'm finding that there are so many choices out there to satisfy both sides.

With the entering of spring, I found this great cocktail at Averie Cooks that is also a nice addition to any spring gathering.


Coconut Water Champagne Fruit Punch  
(Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, No Sugar Added)


Makes about 3 cups punch – double or triple the recipe as desired

Ingredients:

Recipe & photo from Averie Cooks

• 1 1/2 cups coconut water, flavored or plain (I used one Vita Coco Coconut Water container in Pineapple flavor which is 11.2 ounces, or about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 cup+ champagne or white wine*

• 1/2 cup+ orange juice (or other juice; pineapple, apple, pomegranate, grape)

• 1/4 cup to 2 cups+ fruit, frozen or fresh (quantity used will vary from a couple berries or cubes of pineapple as a garnish to 1 to 2+ cups of fruit added to the punch mixture such as orange wedges, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, watermelon cubes, mango cubes, etc.)

• splash grenadine, optional

• 1 drop pink or red food food coloring, optional

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or pitcher, stir to combine, chill in the refrigerator before serving.

*If you do not drink alcohol, you can use non-alcoholic wine or champagne, white grape juice, or simply omit and adjust proportions of other ingredients to taste.

Note: Ice waters down this punch more than I like and I suggest using frozen fruit since it will help keep the punch colder and (it’s cheaper than fresh anyway. Or freeze pineapple juice, orange juice, apple juice, or coconut water in ice cube trays in advance to use as the “ice” cubes. If you are using a considerable amount of ice, you may want to increase the amount of wine or champagne, to taste.


What a great addition to any party this spring!  (And the color is really cute too!!)


Have you tried this Thirsty Thursday concoction?  
The Coco Vodka Tonic

Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Coco Vodka Tonic

So Labor Day is coming up fast...and I can't wait to just sit around and DO NOTHING.  They should really call it "No Labor" Day...

I was searching in my refrigerator for some yummy ingredients to mix into cocktails this weekend, and I have an abundance of coconut water (my new obsession) and some bottles of pomegranite juice.  What to do, what to do....

I found this yummy sounding cocktail on a website called Softcup using both of my ingredients...and a few others that we just always happen to have.  They didn't make it with alcohol, but EVERYTHING is so much better with booze!  Check it out!

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Coco Vodka Tonic

Ingredients:

4 ounces coconut water

2 ounces vodka

1 ounce lime juice

1/2 ounce pomegranate juice

1 ounce basil simple syrup*

*To make basil simple syrup, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of fresh basil in a saucepan and stir. Cover and bring to a boil, let simmer for 15 minutes. Let it cool overnight at room temperature and in the morning strain out the basil. You can store this simple syrup for up to four weeks in a bottle.

Instructions:

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice.

2. Add the coconut water, vodka, lime juice, basil simple syrup, and pomegranate juice.

3. Shake.

Enjoy your Labor Day with great friends and family & some awesome cocktails!!

Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Skinny Piña Colada

Ok ladies.....the Piña Colada is one of my all time favorite drinks.  It's SOOO full of calories and sinful, that I don't order it unless I'm on vacation....because as we all know, calories don't count on vaca!  

Since I'm on this new kick (at least for the time being) of watching what I put in my body and trying to get in shape, I'm always on the look out for low-cal cocktails.  

I found this awesome one from this awesome blogger Tina at CarrotsNCake.com.  Her blog is full of delicious food that is healthy.  Check it out and give her some love....



This Skinny Piña Colada has nowhere near the fat and calories of a regular Piña Colada because Tina used coconut water instead of coconut cream and added just a splash of pineapple juice.

Recipe and photo courtesy of CarrotsNCake.com

Skinny Piña Colada

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Barcardi Rock Coconut Rum
• 5 oz coconut water
• 2 oz pineapple juice

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and/or a Maraschino cherry (optional).
4. Drink and enjoy!

Makes 1 cocktail


Much love to Tina at CarrotsNCake.com for this delicious treat!


ps....for more Thirsty Thursday concoctions, visit AntiMomBlog.com 


Alexis