The Sore Throat Cure!!

Seems like everyone is sick ... including me right now unfortunately :( one thing I have is a killer sore throat. I just remembered one thing my Grandma would make for me when I was a child and sick & it always made my throat feel better ... ENJOY and feel better soon!!

warm orange juice with a couple sprinkles of cinnamon mixed in ... AMAZING stuff!!!

Skittles Vodka

Skittles vodka anyone?

I first came across this idea on Pinterest but according to a quick google search it is everywhere on the internets!

Who knew that there were so many smart people out there?

I followed the directions at THIS SITE and I suggest you do the same.  It’s a fairly straight forward process, but her directions made it easy for me.

I wasn’t making a huge batch of the vodka, because..well…I need to be able to function tomorrow, so I scaled the recipe down.

I bought 5 little tiny bottles of vodka.  They’re so cute!

But I will tell you I felt a bit like a suspicious character purchasing 5 tiny bottles of vodka at the liquor store…so I did what I always do, over-explain myself, which makes the whole scene exponentially more suspicious and awkward than if I had just pretended I was an alcoholic.

When I finally got home, I busted open my nice big bag of Skittles.

I separated them into colors and of course I tasted the rainbow.

Then I added between 25-30 skittles into mini water bottles…

…and poured the vodka into each.

I sealed each bottle with a lid and let them sit. You can let them sit overnight…mine took about 6 hours since I made such a small batch.  If you shake the bottles every so often it helps the process speed up. When the Skittles are dissolved strain the vodka. I used a coffee filter over a cup that I secured on with a rubber band.

I squeezed the vodka through the filter…you will have a weird Skittle foam left in your filter. Then transfer the vodka back into the mini bottles using a funnel.

That’s it! Now, if you’re not hard core and don’t like drinking straight vodka, flavored or not…you can mix the Skittles vodka with just about anything.
*Pictures and recipe from: Thats What We Said

Frozen Strawberry Limeade

I haven't tried this but it looks yummy! I got it again from Pinterest (I love)! Combine the following together in a blender: 1 can frozen Minute Maid Limeade concentrate, 1/2 can sprite, 2 cups frozen strawberries, fresh limes (optional - add slices of limes to the pitcher and the glass). This combination yielded two very large servings, which could easily have worked for four normal sized portions

Copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice

What you need:
12oz. (1 1/2 cups) Apple Juice
2 Tablespoons Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (from Starbucks!) bottles run about $7
Whipped Cream
Carmel Sauce- you can pick this up at Starbucks too!

Directions ~ For a single serving:
Combine apple juice and syrup. Warm to desired heat (I did mine in the microwave for 1 minute 45 seconds & it was perfect drinking temp - not too hot) Top with whipped cream and caramel topping.

**Note: I think the caramel is the best part but I wasn't able to get any before I made me my drink, but it was just as fabulous with out it :)

{Starbucks picture} ... yum!!

Simplest of Mixers: 5 Ice Water Add - Ins

In a household of boring old still water drinkers (one doesn't consume alcohol and one avoids sparkling waters), it can be a real challenge to come up with special drinks. Fancying up our ice water with simple add-ins goes over best, allowing us to stick to our plain water ways while getting a little wild (well, relatively speaking)


Here are a few add-ins that dress up summer's best hydrator: water.
• 1 Limes: Lemons are the norm, but limes are sublime. Simply add a few limes slices to your next pitcher of ice water, along with the freshly-squeezed juice of one lime.

• 2 Mint: Muddle a little mint in the bottom of your glass or pitcher before adding lots of ice and clear, fresh water.

• 3 Oranges and Basil: Sliced oranges and basil leaves make a light, citrus-and-herb infused drink. Add a few basil leaves for garnish on each glass for a nice touch.

• 4 Cucumber: That's it. Just sliced cucumber. They're crisp and cool as - well, you know - making the water seem even more cool and refreshing.

• 5 Strawberries and Kiwi: This favorite combination is sweeter than the citrus fruits mentioned above. Kiwi slices and strawberry halves make for a pretty drink, too.

Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade

Recipe From: The Krazy Coupon Lady

Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 pint (about 2 cups) raspberries, plus more for garnish
1 3/4 cups sugarClassic Homemade Lemonade, or 1 quart store-bought lemonade (see how to get for free HERE)
Ice, for serving
1 bottle (750 milliliters) sparkling water


Directions:
Bring water, raspberries, and sugar to boil in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat, and let simmer for 15 minutes. Strain mixture through a fine sieve, pressing gently on berries to release juices; discard solids. Let syrup cool completely.


Combine syrup and lemonade in a large pitcher. Divide among 16 ice-filled glasses.

Top each with sparkling water, garnish with fresh raspberries.

FREEZER FRUIT COCKTAIL

I took this recipe from someone's blog, but it looked like a good idea and of course it looks yummy :) When you serve it you add 7-up and it makes a delicious slushy drink!!

Ingredients & Directions:
3 lbs. peaches
1 watermelon
2 cantaloupes
2 honeydew
3 lb. grapes
1 lb. blueberries
(we substituted some of the melons for raspberries and strawberries!)

*Boil 2 qts. water and 4 cups sugar
*Add 1/2 can of Orange Juice concentrate
*Add 1/2 can of Lemonade concentrate
*Let it cool
*Add fruit

*Put the mix in freezer bags and then freeze them.
(It made about 20 qts. of freezer bags, which weren't filled completely full. I shared this amount with a friend, so we didn't get too much. I think it is only good in the freezer for about 1 year!)

*Add 7-up when you serve it!