Cucumber Mojito

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Chris loves playing bartender and I'm glad he does...because he's good at it. He makes my all-time favorite Bacon Bloody Mary, and is also the creator of this amazing White Riesling Sangria. His most recent concoction? A cucumber mojito. I'll admit I was a little hesitant when I first tasted it. I think I'm used to having overly sweet cocktails, and this is anything but that. But after a second sip, I was in love. It's crisp, refreshing and light. A perfect cocktail for a hot summer evening. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 750 mL white rum
• 2 cucumbers, sliced
• 1 cup mint, coarsely chopped
• Club soda, for serving

Start by making the simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a large pitcher, combine cooled simple syrup, rum, cucumbers and mint. Allow to chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. 

When serving, pour into glasses and top with a splash of club soda.

Source: Chris Original

Frozen Fresh Mango Margaritas

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Happy Cinco de Mayo! I'm sure everyone will be partaking in their fair share of chips and salsa consumption today, so it's pretty crucial that you have a tasty cocktail to wash it down with. I made these mango margaritas using a fresh mango, and they turned out so refreshing and sweet, so I can't wait to share them with you all!

The little bit of additional sugar that is added to these margaritas brings out the natural sweetness of the mango. If you want to make these for a family celebration, you can leave out the tequila when blending up the ingredients. Then just top off individual glasses with tequila for the adults so your little kiddies can enjoy their own virgin versions of this refreshing cocktail. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Serves 2

• 1 mango, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 cup ice
• 3 tbsp. sugar, plus extra for the rim
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 1/2 oz. tequila

Add mango chunks, ice, 3 tbsp. sugar, lime juice and tequila to a blender. Puree until smooth. 

Pour a small amount of sugar onto a plate. Trace the squeezed lime around the rim of 2 glasses. Flip the glasses upside down in the sugar so the rim gets fully coated. 

Pour the margarita mixture into the glasses and serve.

Source: SK Original

White Riesling Sangria

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Chris made this sangria a few months ago when I hosted a girls' brunch, and I've been patiently waiting for warmer weather to make its way to the East coast before debuting it on my blog. Simply because I know as soon as you see it, you're going to want to make it. And sangria just goes best with warm weather while sitting outside on your deck. It just does.

We just chose some of our favorite fruits for this, but you can mix and match as you please. Don't use too much additional citrus, though, because we found that it really changes the flavor. Riesling is amazing in this drink because it adds the bubbly aspect that we all know and love, yet it has a complimentary sweet, crisp flavor that just makes the sangria. Oh, and one of our tricks? Freeze grapes to use as ice cubes so your drink doesn't get watered down. Genius. I love love love this. Enjoy, guys!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
• 1 cup blueberries
• 2 oranges, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 2 lemons, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 2 peaches, pitted and cut into wedges
• 2 Granny Smith apples, cores removed and cut into wedges
• 2 bottles Riesling
• 1 container Cran-Peach Juice
• Green grapes, frozen

Place all fruit, except grapes, in a large pitcher or bowl. Add Riesling and juice and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add frozen grapes to each glass.

Source: Chris Original

Chris' Bacon Bloody Mary

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I used to solely be a mimosa in the morning kind of girl, but as I got older my tastebuds shifted towards tomato juice instead (mostly because I can no longer handle my alcohol and it gives me some relief!). I've had my fair share of Bloody Mary's, but Chris' version is by FAR my favorite. I like his take on it so much that sometimes I'll randomly ask him to make me one in the middle of the day (virgin of course...I have a baby at home! Sheesh.). I don't know if it's the surprise splash of pickle juice or because he knows just how much of each ingredient to add, but he's got these babies down to a science. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 1 serving

• 1 1/2 cups tomato juice, chilled
• Splash of Worcestershire sauce
• Splash of hot sauce
• Dash of Old Bay seasoning
• Dash of Pepper
• 1 tbsp. dill pickle juice
• 1 tsp. of olive juice
• 1 oz. vodka
• Bacon strips, cooked, for garnish
• Green olives, for garnish 
• Mini dill pickles, for garnish

Combine all ingredients except bacon, olives and pickles in a large glass. Use a spoon to mix. Garnish with one piece of bacon, olives and pickles.

Source: Chris Original

Spiked Godiva Nutella Hot Chocolate

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Okay so I'm sure you're already sold from the title, right? I mean this hot chocolate is made with Nutella. NUTELLA. And it's spiked with liqueur. Liqueur that tastes like Godiva chocolate. GODIVA. And I use reduced-fat milk as the base. Because I'm trying to save you some calories here! Yea, exactly. Whatever. 

Yes, if you're serving this to kids you can absolutely leave out the Godiva liqueur and it will still taste amazing with just the Nutella. But if you're of age and it's that time of day, then help yourself to a few splashes of this liqueur and it will make this drink out-of-this-world good. Enjoy this one, guys!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 2 servings

• 3 cups reduced-fat milk
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1 oz. Godiva liqueur 
• Mini-marshmallows

Heat milk and Nutella in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam. Remove from heat and add liqueur. Pour into mugs and top with mini-marshmallows.

Source: SK Original

Homemade Amaretto

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Need a last minute gift idea for the host of tomorrow's festivities? Amaretto is a staple in my Italian parents' household and is always a nice gift to give. This homemade version is incredibly similar to the real thing at half the cost. I made some and gave it to my friends as a Christmas gift in cute little mason jars. Something that is both homemade and includes liquor is always a winner in my gift-giving book. 

I'm sure hosts at a New Year's Eve party would greatly appreciate this as well. It's a wonderful after-dinner drink to enjoy over ice while chatting with family and friends. Enjoy and be safe tomorrow!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. pure almond extract
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups Vodka

In a heavy bottom sauce pan, add water and sugars over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook until sugars are well dissolved. 

Remove from heat and allow to cool for approximately 15 minutes. 

Add extracts and vodka to the pan. Mix to combine.

Pour Amaretto into desired jars and cap. Store in a cool/dry location.

Source: Bell'alimento