My hooligans are all away this week….two at sleepaway camp and one at Grandma Camp in Oklahoma. That means I’ve had the week to do what I want, when I want. The hubs and I have eaten out every night, watched “Bad Moms” (so inappropriate, but so hilarious), and been able to actually converse one on one in the evenings while walking the dog. You know, rather than constantly reminding kids to skate/bike/skip on the right side of the street. It’s been very pleasant. I’ve also had time to concoct a few beverages that may or may not contain alcohol…it’s up to you! This week, mine do.
This one I didn’t actually create…Pimm’s Lemonade is a specialty at the Napoleon House in New Orleans, and I just tweaked it a bit. I first served this to my cooking club back in February when I taught a class on Mardi Gras menus. It’s perfect for summer, though (who am I kidding…I love it anytime!). The Pimm’s liqueur may be a little hard to find. My amazing husband stopped at a big liquor store in “the city” on his way home from work. It’s also pricey…around $25 per bottle, but that makes at least a couple of pitchers of deliciousness. Here’s how to make a single serving; it can easily be doubled, tripled, or made for a pitcher.
Pimm’s Lemonade
- 1-1/2 ounces of Pimm’s (3 Tablespoons)
- about 1/2 cup lemonade
- about 1/4 cup seltzer water (I use lemon seltzer)
- Tall thin spear of cucumber
Pour the Pimm’s over a tall glass of ice, add lemonade to fill 3/4 of the way, then top off with seltzer. Use the cucumber spear as a swizzle stick, or give it a quick stir to combine.
This Blackberry-Amaretto Refresher is a stroke of genius, y’all. My kids love the Izze sparkling sodas (and they’re really pretty healthy for them), so we usually have a big variety pack on hand. I was making a blueberry pie with amaretto in it and thought how fabulous blackberry and amaretto are together, as well. When I realized there were a few blackberry sodas in the pack, I just had to try it. It is the bomb, I tell you. To make yourself one, just pour a blackberry Izze over ice and add a shot of amaretto. See…I told you it was genius. It pairs well with popcorn for dinner, if you’re wondering.
Those other two drinks are really, really good, but this Lavender Limeade takes the cake for me. Lime and lavender, on their own, are two of my favorite summer flavors, so I decided to combine them. I used some lavender syrup from Le Monin, but you can make your own following this post from last summer. It’s very easy to do. Like the Pimm’s Lemonade, this could easily be made as a pitcher of drinks. And I bet your friends would thank you!
Lavender Limeade
- 8 oz lime seltzer water
- 2 tablespoons lavender syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Pour the seltzer over ice, add the lavender syrup and lime juice, and stir! Garnish with fresh lavender, if you’d like.
I accompanied the limeade with a baguette slathered with gorgonzola and a plateful of fresh figs, some of my favorite things! You could easily make this a cocktail by adding a shot of vodka or rum. Vodka would make a sort of lavender Moscow Mule, and rum would be a bit like a lavender mojito (minus the mint, but you could add that, as well!).
We’re finally getting a few days over 80 here in the Pacific Northwest, so I’m sure I’ll find lots of reasons to make all of these drinks as summer winds down in the next few weeks. I hope you will, as well!
