Recipes: Summertime Cocktails (Like A Virgin)!

It's been a lovely summer full of festive parties, baby showers, birthdays and BBQ's! I wanted to share some of the most delicious drink recipes my friends and I have come up with! Not everyone wants to get a "buzz" on when out for dinner...so, especially as I'm 7 months pregnant...I am really enjoying these creative, alchohol-free cocktails this summer!

Rachel & Hania's Pineapple Lemonade
Make a big pitcher...and be prepared to keep making more...as your guests with LOVE this new twist on a lemonade cooler!

• 1/2 pitcher lemonade - Newman's is good
• 1/2 pitcher pineapple juice
• Fresh sprigs of rosemary and/or mint
• Serve in a tall glass of ice with a lemon slice...enjoy!
• Keep virgin, or add in a shot of your favorite vodka or rum
  

MEL's "MAMA-JITOS"

While I love my cocktails with alcohol, I'm expecting my first baby in September so needed to move into "virgin" mode! I thought it would be nice to share some of my fave "mocktails" that everyone can enjoy!

• Add a few pinches of fresh mint to a tall glass
• Squeeze a few limes wedges into each glass
• Muddle limes and mint together with wooden spoon
• Optional: I love to add in fresh or frozen raspberries...or, watermelon or blueberries, or any favorite fruit!
• Add in a good amount of ice cubes to fill the glass
• Pour in 7Up or Sprite (it's easier than making simple syrup, but if you are a purist, make simple syrup & use plain or flavored seltzer)
• Optional: Add a splash of cranberry or pineapply juice
• Keep virgin, or add in a shot of your favorite rum
  

"LIKE A VIRGIN" WHITE SANGRIA
Nothing says summer in Spain...or Boston...like a big pitcher of Sangria. I have grown fond of white sangria lately...and here is an easy recipe to make the virgin version, either white or red.

• Fill 1/2 pitcher with non-alcoholic white wine, sparkling grape juice or apple-cider (found in most grocery stores)
• Add a few diced lemons, limes, oranges, peaches, strawberries, frozen raspberries...or, watermelon or blueberries, or any favorite fruit!
• Top off the pitcher with either orange, cranberry or pineapple juice (your time to experiment with flavors here!)
• Add in a good amount of ice cubes
• Top off with a little plain or flavored seltzer
• Serve in big wine glasses with extra fruit
• Optional: Add in a dash of cinnamon or fresh mint
  
  
  

"NOT SO BLOODY" MARY
No Sunday Brunch is complete without the classic Bloody Mary...so here goes on my recipe...and make mine extra spicy!

• Fill a tall pint glass with ice cubes
• Add 3/4 full of V8 tomato juice (regular or spicy)
• Add a tall stalk of celery, lemon and/or lime wedge
• Optional: Add a dash of pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce or horseradish, to taste
• Optional: Add in olives, pickled beans, or any other veggies you have
• Keep virgin, or add in a shot of your favorite vodka