S'more Smoothies for 2

Summer days, hot weather, and S'more smoothies!

Ingredients:
1/4 c. marshmallow fluff
2 Tbs. chocolate syrup
1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
8 oz. milk
1 container vanilla yogurt
2 c. ice cubes

Line the rim of two glasses with some of the marshmallow fluff. Roll them in the graham cracker crusts. Add all of the remaining ingredients (including remaining fluff and graham crumbs) to a blender. Blend for about 2 minutes until the ingredients are broken down. Pour into the prepared glasses.

Cotton Candy Pop

When my nieces and nephew were up visiting from Texas this past winter, we tried finding things for them to do to keep busy. Since we have been in-between houses in a rental, the kitchen is tiny compared to what I am used to and a really weird layout. Trying to get a meal done with a large quantity of people running around the room gets intense, so this was a perfect way to distract the kids, yet still make them feel like they were being included. Now, you will notice we had orange and blue cotton candy, which of course combine together made a nice shade of brown to which everyone did. I re-made them using just blue raspberry cotton candy for a , let's say, "prettier" version. This is definitely a fun experiment to do with kids!

Ingredients:

Cotton Candy
Sprite (or any clear pop)
Glasses
Straws

This easy recipe involves only two steps. Pour the pop into a glass, and add in cotton candy. When the cotton candy is added it starts fizzing and dissolving, disappearing into the pop and changing the color and taste. Super easy, and fun for kids to combine flavors!

Fuzzy Leprechaun

Ingredients:

1 oz. Peach Schnapps
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Pineapple Juice

Pour the above ingredients into a glass filled with ice. Stir the ingredients together and serve with a straw! This is the perfect fruity drink for any party such as a St. Patty's Day party. The color green that this combination makes is just gorgeous!

Colorado Bulldog

And now, for my FAVORITE alcoholic beverage of all time! The tricky part? You pretty much have to be a scientist because if you pour it in the wrong order, the milk will curdle (yuck!). Everyone needs to try this spin on a White Russian; the Colorado Bulldog is delish!

Ingredients:

Kahlua
Milk, 1% (or any kind of cream)
Vodka
Coca-Cola Life (or any coke product)

Set two glasses side by side. Pour in about 1/4 c. Kahlua in the bottom of each. Add in 1-2 shots of Vodka per glass. Pour approximately 2-3 shots of milk in, add ice, and stir everything together. Top it off with a few shots of Coca-Cola poured on top! (Note: if you add in the pop before the milk is added, it will curdle!).

Sparkling Purple Rain

I'm not a huge drinker, but I have an entire arsenal in my phone of random drinks I've wanted to try or toy with. This drink has always looked so pretty, but I am not a fan of sour drinks. I took the classic Purple Rain and added a bit of sweetness and bubbles, to make the perfect refreshing drink!

Ingredients to make two:

2 shots Vodka
2 shots Blue Curacao
4 shots Cranberry Juice
1 can Sprite

Place your serving glasses side by side. To each glass, add 1 shot Vodka, 1 shot Blue Curacao, 2 shots of cranberry juice, and pour about 1/4-1/3 c. Sprite on top. Add ice cubes to chill the drink, and serve!

Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade Bounce

Here is another variation of my late Aunt Jean's Bounce recipe. I had to cut up a bunch of kiwi for a fruit salad and wanted to do something with the kiwi peel (I am not brave enough to eat it, even though I know technically you can, and know some people that do). This bounce turned out perfect and is a great flavor profile for the hot summer days to come!

Ingredients:

3 c. Burnett's Pink Lemonade Vodka
4 large strawberries, chopped
Peel from 6-8 kiwi
5 tsp. Splenda

In a large bottle, combine the above ingredients. Place the cap back on and shake everything together. I like to place a label saying when the Bounce will be done (4-6 weeks, or if you are impatient, you can test it out after two). Every day, shake the bottle and set back down. After the time has passed, strain the liquid and place into a different bottle. Now all you have left to do is tip a shot back!

White Hot Chocolate

If you are married to a vanilla, or are surrounded by a group of vanilla's and you are a die hard chocolate person, this meets the best of both worlds and is a win win for everybody. I love a great hot chocolate, mainly because it has a silky chocolate flavor and consistency. This recipe is definitely not for someone who likes a watered down beverage. It is thick and creamy and perfect for a cold night.

Ingredients:

4 c. milk, 1%
2 tsp. vanilla
8 oz. white chocolate chips
Whipped Cream

In a medium size saucepan, combine the milk, vanilla and white chocolate chips. Cook on a medium heat, stirring frequently until the hot chocolate comes to a simmer. Do not let it boil! No one likes the taste of scalded milk! As soon as the chocolate is fully melted and everything is heated through, remove from the heat and serve immediately. I topped mine with some whipped cream and white chocolate crisp pearls.

Earl Grey Tea with London Fog

This is a great dairy-free drink and a good alternative to using creamer or milk in your tea. The oat "fog" creates a thickness that almost gives this tea a consistency of hot chocolate. It sounds really strange, but if you are a tea lover, it is a recipe you have to try out!

1 c. water
1/2 c. rolled oats
2 Tbs. agave nectar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. double strength brewed Earl Grey Tea

Blend the water and oats together and then let them sit for five minutes to soak. Add the agave and vanilla and process until as smooth as possible (the grains shouldn't be recognizable at this point). Place a piece of cheesecloth on top of a large glass measuring cup or small bowl. Hold the cheesecloth with your non dominant hand and pour 1/3 to half of the liquid mixture into it. Squeeze the liquid into the measuring cup and continue with the remaining liquid. Discard the cheesecloth. Pour the tea into two tea cups. Slowly pour the "fog" (aka, oatmeal liquid) into the tea slowly.

King Cake Protein Shake

This is a great protein shake recipe that has a rich buttery taste, only without the actual butter. A great pick-me-up to celebrate around the Mardi Gras season or to drink for dessert!

Ingredients:

2 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 c. almond milk
1 1/2 Tbs. almond butter
2 tsp. butter extract
1/2 tsp. rum extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
Ice (I had around 1 cup)

Place all of the above ingredients into a blender and "blend" until smooth. Pour into four serving glasses and enjoy! You could also sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on top!

 

Asian Pear Cinnamon Water

 

If you are anything like myself, you, if you can help it, do not drink plain water with no flavoring. Unlike what people say, water does indeed have a taste, we just don't know how to describe it. This recipe is a perfect way to spruce up water using ingredients that you most likely have in your home, and the best part about it is that it is all natural. And if you are on any diet program, it is still just flavored water, and zero points!

Ingredients:

1 Asian pear, cored and thinly sliced
6 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp. ground ginger (mine is from a squeeze bottle, you could use a small piece of fresh ginger)

Ready for the recipe? There isn't one.....you just add all of the above ingredients to a pitcher, fill with water, and if possible let sit overnight in your refrigerator so that the ingredients can seep into the water. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavoring.

Matcha Energy Drink

 

Need a pick-me-up drink that isn't terrible for you and uses ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen? If you do not like the taste of Matcha powder, or green tea, don't bother with this one. It is a great energizer, but definitely hits you in the face with a massive tea flavor!

Ingredients:

1 c. Almond Breeze almond milk, original
2 tsp. Matcha powder
1 Tbs. Splenda

Use a protein drink Blender Bottle or a martini mixer and add the above ingredients together. Place the lid on tightly and shake until the Matcha powder is fully mixed. Add half way up with ice and continue to shake for about a minute to chill the drink. Pour into shot glasses to serve four people. Or if you want a larger amount, pour into two small drinking glasses filled with ice.

Apple Cider Jell-O Shots

I am not a person who drinks often. In fact, my birthday and Halloween party every year are the two I usually count on. These are dangerous! Apple juice since I was a kid has always been my favorite, and apple cider is a pretty close second. Add cinnamon flavored Fireball mixed in? I'm in trouble..... These turned out amazing, and jell-o shots are one of the best ways ever to consume alcohol!

Ingredients:

2 c. apple cider
1 c. water
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (Knox)
1 c. Fireball

Heat a small saucepan to medium heat and add the water and apple cider. When the liquid is warm/hot, add in the envelopes of gelatin and whisk until all of the lumps are out and the gelatin is incorporated into the apple cider. Add in the fireball and whisk again for about 30 seconds to a minute. I worked with half of the liquid at one time, and poured it into a 2 cup glass Pyrex measuring cup that already has a spout at the top. Pour into individual disposable cups (I went to Gordon Foods and grabbed ones with lids, that are about the size of the ketchup containers you get at fast food restaurants). Place the lid on top and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve!

Mint Iced Coffee

 I love coffee. I usually hate mint. When you use the fresh mint simple syrup recipe however, it tastes like a totally non artificial kind of mint flavor that I absolutely love. This mint flavored ice coffee is cheap to make and just as good as any coffee store that you would pay almost $4 for!

Ingredients:

2 tsp. homemade Mint Simple Syrup
8 oz. strong brewed coffee, refrigerated overnight
1 c. Ice Cubes
1/8 c. milk, 1%

To make this, pour the coffee that has been refrigerated into a glass full of ice. Add in the mint simple syrup, and then the milk on top. Stir together and top with a mint! This takes about 2 minutes or less to put together if you brew the coffee the night before, along with the homemade syrup.

 (This recipes makes 1 drink, and is 2 WW points.)

Mint Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

1 c. water
1 c. sugar
5-7 Mint leaves

In a small saucepan, heat the water, sugar and mint leaves on high heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for a few minutes, still stirring occasionally. Pour into a bowl, and let cool. Refrigerate overnight. Remove the mint leaves (unless you aren't using it all at once and want to keep the strong mint flavor in the remaining syrup!) before using.

This recipes works great for using in coffee drinks or alcoholic beverages! It is a very natural mint taste, unlike using mint extract that is more of an overwhelming fake mint flavor.

(Makes about 10 servings, 2 WW points per serving.)

Strawberry Mojito Punch

 

The strawberries and mint make a very refreshing drink for a hot summer day. Throw a shot of rum in it and it also makes for a very refreshing night!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. shopped strawberries (plus garnish)
5-6 mint leaves, chopped very fine
3 Tbs. sugar
2 bottles of sparkling water
Lime, sliced thin and cut in half
Rum (I used Malibu, coconut rum)

In a medium size bowl, mash the strawberries, minced mint and sugar together. Scoop into the bottom of a large pitcher. Pour in the sparkling water and stir to mix together. Add a slice of strawberry to the side of your serving glasses and a 1/2 lime slice to the bottom. Pour into your serving glasses. If you want to leave the option of alcohol like I did, leave shots of rum on the serving tray with the prepared glasses.

White Chocolate Cinnamon Coffee

Ingredients:

8 oz. Strong brewed coffee
2 tsp. White chocolate chips
1 tsp. Agave nectar
1/8 tsp. Cinnamon

Combine the above ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk together until all of the chocolate chips are fully melted. Pour the coffee into your preferred mug, top with fat free whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Chocolate Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Milkshake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. strawberries, fresh, chopped
2 c. Kemp's Neopolitan Frozen Yogurt, Low Fat
1 c. Ice cubes
1/2 - 1 c. Unsweetened Almond milk, more or less to determine consistency
*Optional, yogurt and chocolate chips

Place the above ingredients into a blender and blend together until everything is mixed well and there are no large clumps in the milkshake. Top with chocolate chips and garnish with a strawberry slice. Simple and refreshing.