The Thirsty Diva ™

It’s been awhile since I posted a family friendly recipe.   This is perfect for brunch or anytime. 1 - 2 c. each: orange juice, cranberry juice, ice In the bottom of a pitcher, place ice. Add orange juice to pitcher and top off with cranberry juice.  Stir to mix and place in refrigerator to chill until you’re ready to serve.  Serves 4 - 6.

 Happy Lunar New Year all! This is perfect to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, watching the Winter Olympics, rooting for the Bengals in the playoffs or anytime. I used bottled grapefruit juice, but you can use fresh grapefruit juice instead. 4 - 6 oz. vodka 2 - 3 T.  fresh ginger sliced 1/4 c. sugar 1/2 c. grapefruit juice 1/3 c. water Ice Rinse, chop ginger. Place 4 clean cocktail in a freezer to chill for a few minutes. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, ginger and bring to a boil. Lower heat, stir water with a clean spoon and let it cook until sugar is dissolved.  Turn off stove, let it steep until it’s cool. For each cocktail: In a cocktail shaker combine ice,  some of the vodka, some of the grapefruit juice, 1 T. ginger syrup. Put lid on cocktail shaker and shake for a few minutes. Remove cocktail glasses from freezer and strain cocktail into glasses.  Serves 4.

This cocktail was inspired by the great Betty White. 4 - 6 oz. vodka 1 oz. vermouth 1/2 - 1 tsp. lemon juice  Ice Place 4 clean martini in the freezer to chill for a few minutes. In a cocktail shaker combine: ice, vodka, vermouth, lemon juice. Place lid on cocktail shaker and shake for a few seconds. Remove glasses from freezer.  Remove lid from shaker and strain cocktail into glasses. Serves 4.

Award season is here. This is perfect for watching your favorite award show, brunch or anytime. 1 bottle sparkling wine 8 fresh or frozen blackberries     4 - 6 oz. gin  1 tsp. each: sugar, fresh lemon juice In a small jar combine gin and blackberries.  Place lid on jar and shake for a few seconds. Place jar in refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Place 4 clean champagne glasses in freezer for a few minutes to chill. To serve: Remove glasses from freezer. Place lemon juice and sugar in bottom of glasses. Pour gin through a strainer into glasses.  Top off gin with sparkling wine.  Garnish glasses with a blackberry. Serves 4.  

This mocktail is perfect if you're a designated driver. 1 L. bottle of lemon lime soda (regular or diatetic) 1/8 - 1/4 c. grenadine (adjust amount desired) Ice In a clean pitcher, place ice. Pour grenadine over ice. Add soda to pitcher, stir to mix. Place pitcher in fridge until ready to serve. Serves 4.

December 5th. 1933 Prohibition ended. To celebrate try this recipe. 4 - 6 oz. gin 1 tsp. each: honey, lemon juice ice Place ice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add lemon juice, gin, honey. Place lid on shaker and shake for a few seconds. Remove lid and strain into a martini glass. Serves 4.

  This is perfect for fall, Thanksgiving or anytime. I’ve used maple syrup, but this works with honey too. 4 - 6 oz. whiskey 1 small apple sliced 1 tsp. maple syrup 1/2 tsp. lemon juice Ice Rinse, cut apple in half, cut 4 slices of apple and set aside to garnish glasses. Cut one of the apple halves in half, set aside. Place 4 clean cocktail glasses into freezer to chill for a few minutes. In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, combine an apple chunk, maple syrup and muddle together with the back of a clean spoon. Add ice, whiskey, lemon juice, place lid on cocktail shaker and shake for 10 - 15 seconds. Remove glasses from freezer, remove lid from cocktail shaker and strain cocktail into glasses.  Garnish glasses with the apple slices. Serves 4.