The Thirsty Diva ™

  This is perfect for Halloween or anytime. 4 - 6  oz. vodka or gin 1/2  oz. olive  juice  1 - 1  1/2 oz. dry vermouth  squeeze of lime  ice  Green food coloring  salt, pepper 8 olives With a wet napkin, wet the rims of 4 martini glasses.  Sprinkle salt, pepper on a shallow dish.  Place the glasses rim side down on the salted dish to coat. Place the glasses in the freezer to chill for a few minutes.  For each cocktail: In a cocktail shaker combine: gin or vodka, ice, olive juice, lime juice, 1 - 2 drops food coloring vermouth.  Shake for 10 sec. to mix.  Remove glasses from freezer, strain martini into glasses.  Thread olives through 4 toothpicks. Garnish martinis with the olives. Serves 4. 

The Michigan vs. Michigan State game is this weekend,  Go Blue! This Michigan classic cocktail is perfect to enjoy while watching the game, a holiday get together, tailgating, girls night, tv night or anytime. 4 - 6 oz. light or dark rum 1 - 2 oz. coffee liqueur  1/2 - 1 c. ice  2 - 3 c. ice cream In a blender combine ingredients.  Blend for 10 - 20 sec. Remove lid from blender and pour into 4 clean glasses. Serves 4.

This is family friendly mocktail that’s perfect for movie night, game day or anytime. 4 c. prepared lemonade 2 c. lemon lime soda Ice In the bottom of 4 clean glasses, place ice. Pour lemonade over ice, top off with lemon lime soda. Serves 4.

This week is the last week of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Fall starts on Saturday. This is a great way to keep cool during the last days of summer, while watching a movie, game day or anytime. 1/2 c. powdered drink mix 1 c. cold water 2 - 3 c. ice Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend for 15 - 30 sec. or until it becomes slushy. Serves 4.

This is perfect for the last days of summer, tailgating or anytime. 3 c. margarita mix 2 c. club soda 4 - 6 oz. tequila  1 - 2 oz. triple sec. Salt (enough to coat glasses) Ice 1 lime, cut into wedges Cut lime into wedges, set aside. Wet rims of 4 clean margarita glasses with a clean napkin.  Sprinkle salt on a clean plate, places glasses rim side down on plate to coat glasses and place glasses in freezer to chill for a few minutes. In a clean pitcher, place ice. Combine margarita mix, tequila, triple sec. in pitcher,  stir to mix.   Top off with with club soda.  Take glasses out of freezer, pour margarita into glasses and garnish glasses with lime wedges. Serves 4. 

This week is the anniversary of when Hawaii became a state.  You don’t have to go to Hawaii to enjoy this tasty tropical mocktail. 2 c. pineapple juice 1 - 2 c. cranberry juice  Ice In the bottom of 4 clean glasses, place ice. Pour pineapple juice into glasses, top off with cranberry juice. Serves 4

This is perfect for summer  or anytime. I’ve used cantaloupe but you can use honey dew melon too. 6 - 8 oz. vodka 1 /4 - 1/3 c. fresh melon  Remove rind from melon and cut melon into pieces. In a clean jar combine melon & vodka, screw on lid on jar, place in refrigerator for a few days. When you’re ready to use, remove jar from fridge, strain desired amount of vodka into a clean cocktail shaker or cocktail glasses. Serves 4 - 8.