Thirsty Thursday: Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade

Sunday is the first day of Fall.  It's been cooler around here for the past few days, and I'm definitely ready for sweater weather.  So, to bid farewell to Summer, today's Thirsty Thursday is one of my favorite summertime drinks - Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks.

I'm gonna go ahead and tell you, I have acclimated very well to the South's way of thinking that "there's no such thing as too-sweet tea!"  When you order this from Starbucks, you can choose sweet or unsweet, but I always go for sweet.  Oh, and I found this recipe right on the Starbucks site, so yours should taste the same as in-store (hopefully).

Starbucks Tazo (R) Iced Passion (R) Tea Lemonade

5 pumps Fontana(R) Classic Syrup

12 oz Tazo (R) Passion(R) Iced Tea

6 oz Lemonade

Ice

1. Add syrup to the cup

2. Add iced tea and lemonade

3. Stir

4. Fill cup with ice

I hope you will join me in raising a glass to salute the end of Summer.  Welcome Fall!!

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: Summertime In a Glass

It was SUCH a gorgeous day today in Fort Worth!  Friends of mine who were travelling the East Coast were posting pictures of a snow storm, while I ran my errands in 60 degree weather.  I don't want to get ahead of myself, because the worst of the Texas winter is yet to come.  But this afternoon did make me long for Spring.  In honor of that, today I am sharing the Bahama Mama!

Bahama Mama

• 1.5 oz dark rum (such as Captain Morgan)
• 1 oz coconut rum (Malibu)
• 4 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz orange juice

Put everything in a shaker over ice and shake to mix.  Serve in a fancy glass, such as a hurricane glass.  Garnish with a swirl of Grenadine on top, and a cherry or an orange slice.  Sit and wait three months until Spring rolls around.

Enjoy!

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: Wine of the Moment

It feels like a good evening to sit back and relax with a good book and a glass of wine.  It's a little chilly outside, but the rain has finally stopped after two days.  It's quiet in the house, and I have nowhere else to be.

I haven't darkened the doors of a bar in almost two weeks.  That shouldn't be a big deal, but it is.  I am taking an unintended hiatus from my bartending gig, and haven't felt much like hanging out in a smoky room lately.  Instead, I have been spending a lot of time at home: reading, watching movies, catching up on blogging and sending exciting, hopeful little text messages to a special someone.

To celebrate the end of another busy, stressful day, I propose a toast.  I've been drinking a lot of wine lately. I'm not trying to be fancy; I just get too fat when I drink beer!  My wine of choice is always a white.  Sometimes a Riesling, but lately I favor a Moscato.  I tried a new brand on New Year's Eve - Barefoot Wine & Bubbly - and really enjoyed it.  I have since bought more, and we go through it pretty quickly each time!

It's hard for me to find a wine I truly enjoy, and therefore I don't show loyalty to any one particular brand.  This one is different, however, as we tried three varieties on NYE and enjoyed each one.  While I many venture out and try others, I am confident this will be my new "go to" wine.  The Spumante is perfect for a special celebration, the Red Moscato a compliment to many meat dishes, and the Moscato pairs perfectly with Thirsty Thursday.  Cheers!

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: New Years Eve Champagne Cocktail

2010 is almost over. I love new beginnings, so what better way to celebrate than with a cocktail?! Today I am sharing a champagne cocktail that is just as good for a midnight toast as it is with your breakfast toast! (Yep, I think I just solidified my dork status!) You'll need:

• Strawberry Puree
• Orange Juice
• Champagne

The amount of each that you'll need really depends on your taste. I like to fill the champagne flute about halfway with the strawberry. Then I add orange juice until the glass is about 3/4 of the way full. Top of with a good champagne. I prefer an Extra Dry champagne, as it is a little sweeter.

For a kid-friendly version, you could use sparkling apple cider or sparkling grape juice. I don't add ice cubes to this one, as I feel it will water down the champagne. You could, however, add frozen raspberries or blueberries to keep the drink cold.

What New Year's Eve traditions do you have? Come back tomorrow when I discuss lessons learned from this year, as well as resolutions I'm making for 2011. Enjoy!

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: French Vanilla Eggnog

For today's Thirsty Thursday, I wanted to give you a twist on the seasonal favorite, eggnog. I'm not the biggest fan of eggnog myself, so I don't have a tried-and-true personal recipe. Instead, I'm leaning on my old friend The Food Network for this one.

3 cups milk
6 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
4 oz brandy
4 oz rum
2 oz creme de cacao
3 cups French Vanilla ice cream, melted

Begin by whisking the milk, sugar, and nutmeg in a pitcher or bowl. Whisk in the 3 liquors. Finally, add the melted ice cream.

You can find this recipe among the "50 Holiday Drinks" on the Food Network's page, here. I'd still like to find an eggnog recipe I like. I'm going to try this one, for sure. If you've got a go-to recipe you'd like me to try, feel free to send it! Enjoy!

*SJ*

Thirsty Thursday: Maple Butter Kiss

I found this recipe on the Food Network website, and decided I probably ought to try it. It sounds festive and tasty. The Maple Butter Kiss combines my very favorite - VODKA! - with butterscotch and maple syrup. I ask you: what could be tastier?!

• 1.5 oz vodka
• .5 oz butterscotch schnapps
• .25 oz real maple syrup
• 1 oz half-and-half
• Fresh ground nutmeg

Pour all liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

Enjoy!

*SJ*