The Thirsty Diva ™

It’s been hot this summer. This is great to quench your thirst on a hot day, a get together, for watching the game or anytime. 4  - 6 oz. tequila  4 c. sparkling water Ice Fresh lime juice In the bottom of a clean pitcher, place ice. Squeeze some lime juice over ice in pitcher. Pour tequila into pitcher, top off with sparkling water and stir mixture with a clean wooden spoon.  Place pitcher in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve. Serves 4.

Here’s a great way to keep your drinks cool on a summer day. I’ve use blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and cherries, but you can use what berries you like. 2 - 4 c. cold water 1/3 - 1/2 c. each: blackberries, sweet cherries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries  In a colander rinse berries and cherries, place into a bowl. Remove pit from cherries and place in a bowl with berries. Remove stem from strawberries, cut  cherries and strawberries into halves, place into bowl with the other fruit. Place fruit into ice cube trays, carefully fill ice cube trays with water. Place ice cube tray in freezer until frozen.

  This is perfect for celebrating the cherry festival, celebrating summer, girls day cocktails or anytime.  1 c. vodka 1/3 c. sweet cherries Rinse cherries through a strainer under running cold water, pat cherries dry with a clean paper towel. Pit, slice cherries in half.  In a clean jar combine cherries & vodka, screw on lid and place jar in refrigerator for a few days. When you’re ready to use, remove jar from fridge unscrew lid from jar & strain desired amount of vodka through a tea strainer into a clean cocktail shaker or cocktail glasses. Serves 6 - 8.

This is my version of the latest internet trend. It won’t taste like a pop, but it does have a bit of a zing to it. I used a flavored sparkling water, but you can use what sparkling water you like. 32 oz. sparkling water 2 - 3 T. Balsamic vinegar  Ice In the bottom of 4 clean glasses, place ice.  Spoon desired amount of balsamic vinegar over ice. Top off vinegar with sparkling water and stir with a straw. Serves 4. Yep pm

  This is perfect for summer cocktails or anytime.  1 c. vodka 1/3 c. fresh raspberries  Rinse raspberries through a strainer under running cold water, pat raspberries dry with a clean paper towel.  In a clean jar combine raspberries & vodka, screw on lid and place jar in refrigerator for a few days. When you’re ready to use, remove jar from fridge unscrew lid from jar & strain desired amount of vodka through a tea strainer into a clean cocktail shaker or cocktail glasses. Serves 6 - 8.

  This is great on a hot day or anytime 1/2 - 3/4 c. chopped fresh ginger ( adjust amount needed) 1 - 2 tsp. sugar or your favorite sweetener (optional) adjust amount needed  2 c. water 4 - 6 c. club soda Rinse, chop fresh ginger In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Mix well to dissolve sugar.  Add ginger. Boil for a few minutes. Reduce heat and set simmer for 15 - 30 min, stirring occasionally until it's  reduced. Turn off stove, cover pan and let cool for 15 - 45 min. S train cherries and water through a sieve into a measuring cup. Let chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. To serve: put ice in 4 - 6 glasses. Spoon some of the ginger syrup in bottom of glass.   Pour club soda over syrup. Stir and enjoy. Serves 4 - 6.

You can enjoy this while watching the Kentucky Derby or anytime. This is my version of the southern classic.  For the kiddos version, omit bourbon. 1 liter (32 oz. approx.) ginger ale 4 - 6 oz (1/2 c - 3/4 c) bourbon 1 lime Ice Cut 1 lime in half, set aside. 32 oz Place 4 clean glasses in the freezer to chill for a few minutes. To serve: Remove glasses from freezer and place ice into the glasses.  Pour some of the bourbon in the bottom of the glass. Pour ginger ale over bourbon and squeeze some lime into each of the glasses. Stir with a clean spoon to mix. Serves 4.