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 ~ Parrot Bay Sunset

What better way to enjoy a sunset than with a refreshing cocktail?  And what better cocktail than a Parrot Bay Sunset.... oh yeah!


Living in South Florida, we have great sunsets all year round.  Now that it's summer, the kids want to stay outside longer.  That's just one more chance for me to enjoy a cocktail.

Parrot Bay Sunset

The picture would have been kick ass with a sunset behind it!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz of Captain Morgan Parrot Bay coconut rum
4oz orange juice
1oz cranberry juice


Directions:
Combine all ingredients in shaker.  Serve on ice. 
Garnish with an orange wedge.  (I didn't have one, so I garnished with a lime.)


Easy enough?  And I can't express in words how yummy this cocktail is!!  Perfect for those quick summer gatherings or just when you want something a little more fruity. 



Have you tried the Citrusy Champagne Sangria?
Check out more Thirsty Thursday ideas...




Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Fuji Sunset

Recently at Mom 2.0 Summit in Key Biscayne, Florida, I met Jessica Fini the Assistant Manager for Public Relations for Honda.  We were talking about my Thirsty Thursday meme, and she asked me to help her find a cocktail using sake.  Jessica is getting married soon, and her soon-to-be husband is of Japanese descent.  

Her venue for the wedding will only allow beer and wine to be served.  They consider sake to be in the wine family.  Since there will not be any other alcohols available, she put me on the hunt for a sake cocktail that could be served so that it appears to be more of a cocktail.  CHALLENGE!






Fuji Sunset

Photo courtesy of Sake & Co

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Sake
1 oz Maraschino liqueur (Maraschino juice can be substituted)
1 oz lemon juice
1 oz orange juice
Dash grenadine


Directions:


Shake with ice and strain in chilled champagne saucer or martini glass.  Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.


This would be a great companion to a sushi feast!
Tanoshimu! (Enjoy!)


For more Thirsty Thursday libations, visit my girl Amanda at Anti Mom Blog.


Alexis

Daily Rituals That Bring My Family Together

Getting ready for school and work is a fast paced and loud activity in my house filled with sounds like stomping feet, groans, and shouts for lost shoes, backpacks, and breakfast. 

As we are all scattered in different directions around the house, the one thing that brings us all together is breakfast.  I can’t say that we are always sitting at the table, but we are at least all gathered in the kitchen eating and sharing about the hopes for the day. 

Everyone has a job to do.   One child is in charge of getting the yogurts out of the refrigerator, the other is in charge of choosing the breakfast for the day, while my husband and I put it all together. 

Knowing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we like to make healthy and delicious breakfast choices to start our day.  (Emphasis on delicious!)  Some of our favorites include pancakes, waffles, muffins, cereals, yogurts, milk and orange juice. 

Living in South Florida, we are a bit snobby about our choice in orange juice.  When we can’t squeeze the oranges ourselves, we head to the grocery store.  

Did you know that Tropicana Pure Premium is 100% Pure Florida Orange Juice?  Tropicana is the single largest buyer of Florida fruit, purchasing approximately 11.6 billion oranges from Florida each year, mainly from central and southern Florida.  When we think oranges, we think of Florida.  So what better brand to purchase than one that uses PURE Florida orange juice? 

An orange grove in Florida that provides delicious oranges to Tropicana.

Tropicana is committed to using the best fruit to give you the great tasting juice you love and the nutrition your body needs. Each 59oz container of Tropicana Pure Premium® has 16 fresh-picked Florida oranges squeezed into it and an 8oz glass gives you 100% vitamin C to help you maintain a healthy immune system.  It’s the first thing I grab when I feel a little under the weather.

Want a chance to visit sunny Florida and a real orange grove?  Like the Tropicana Pure Premium Facebook page for a chance to win a trip for four to Florida.  

Enter the Tropicana sweepstakes for a chance to win 100 Florida prizes, including one-year-supplies of Tropicana or a trip to Florida to visit an orange grove, including round-trip airfare for four to Florida, a 3 night stay at a Florida hotel, and an exclusive experience at a Florida orange grove. For official rules and regulations, visit the “sweeps” tab on Tropicana’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Tropicana .

So, the next time you are searching for a healthy way to start your day, head to your local grocery store and pick up Tropicana Pure Premium 100% Pure Florida Orange Juice.  I’ll be picking some up on my next trip to the store!

What are the daily rituals that bring your family together?  Share some ideas!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.

Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Goombay Smash

I know I live in a tropical paradise here in Miami, but it doesn't feel like paradise when I have to work like everyone else.  Paradise to me is a secluded island with crystal blue waters and powdery white sand.  Aaahhhhhh!


What better paradise than the one that is 30 minutes away from me by plane.....The Bahamas!  I'm dreaming of it now.....


Here's a drink that we like to have when we make it down there....
(it's also really good in Miami when you're on the boat on any given Saturday)

Goombay Smash
(4 servings, make a pitcher!)

4oz. spiced Rum 
4oz. Malibu® coconut Rum
8oz. pineapple juice
8oz. orange juice
Mix ingredients 
Pour over ice

Aaahhhh! Now that's refreshing!

For more Thirsty Thursday cocktails, visit AntiMomBlog.com

Alexis