Friday Bits
Lately I am really into drinking delicious beverages. Because it’s summer, natch. Here are some recipes from last weekend, I apologize that I am such a right-brain person and cannot give lovely detailed instructions. I’m definitely an “add a little of this and see how it tastes” person.
Cucumber Mint Limeade
(Makes a nice big pitcher, perfect for sharing.)
3/4 of a big cucumber, peeled and chopped (If I had to guess I’d say it was a cup of cucumber? You can add more later if you feel it needs it)
1/3 cup of fresh mint
1 cup lime juice (roughly 12-14 limes)
agave nectar to taste (will require a lot – 1/2 cup or more)
water
Blend the chopped cucumber and mint in a blender until smooth (I put a little bit of water in it so it will strain easier.) Strain the mixture through a sieve into a pitcher, pushing on the mixture with the back of a spoon to push the liquid through. Add the lime juice. Add cold water to fill the pitcher (I recommend going 3/4 of the way so you can adjust as needed.) Add agave juice to taste. You can also use simple syrup if you’re not an agave person, but trust me, the agave is so good and if you’ll be downing this deliciousness with alcohol, it helps you feel less disgusting.
Refrigerate til nice and cold, serve with ice, mint leaves, and cucumber slices. Drink with a shot of Hendrick’s gin for boozey amazingness.
Watermelon Lemon Fizz
This one I truly guessed on because I made this recipe up on the fly and didn’t have an extra regular size pitcher so it was a smaller batch. Basically you chop watermelon and then blend it, strain it through a sieve to get delicious watermelon juice. Add a lemon juice (I used four lemons) and agave to taste – you want it to be pretty sweet and strong flavored because you’re adding soda water to it. Pour in a glass over ice 3/4 of the way up and fill the rest of the glass with soda water. Add the alcohol of your choice. I used gin, vodka would be even better. If you were a fancy person you would garnish this drink with a lemon spiral and a mint sprig. I’m so not fancy I couldn’t even remember to take a picture of this drink so obviously I wasn’t at the fancy garnish stage.
Lastly, Kelly brought me a jar of homemade rhubarb ginger syrup on Sunday, and I just last night got around to trying it out. She has a recipe that would have been perfect to use it on, but sadly I was lacking in the bourbon department and only had gin. So I mixed the syrup with lemon juice and gin, shook it in a cocktail shaker, poured it over ice and added soda water. Really amazing. I can’t wait to try it with bourbon or a spiced whiskey!
Oh and Wendy just wanted to say hi. She obviously had a hard day when this photo was taken.
I’m signing off early for a 3.5 day weekend, happy 4th of July to my stateside friends, and don’t forget – necklaces go on sale Monday on Target’s website!! Eeep, I can’t believe the day has finally come:) I’ll post a link here when I get it.
Bits Of My Weekend will come late Tuesday because I think I’m going to shoot some medium format film. Have a great weekend!
July 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
just phoned ben to add mint, lime, agave and cucumbers to the grocery list. ;)
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July 2nd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
a cucumber & a watermelon summer recipe? i am officially in food heaven. looking forward to dazzling my besties with these treats on sunday!
have a glorious fourth, miss kate!
xo,
sylvie of silver lining
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July 2nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
ooo medium format is my favorite. such a better quality negative.
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July 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Ohhh that limeade will be good with some Ransom gin this weekend…
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July 2nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this cucumber limeade recipe! I’m having a huge bash tomorrow for my birthday (all day bbq pool party sorta deal) and I had NO idea what bevs to make. This will go perfectly, and I can’t wait to try it!
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July 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 pm
i totally want to make the watermelon fizz!
have a lovely holiday :)
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July 3rd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
cucumber is one of my favourite things to nibble on and i can think of noththing better than a drink with bits to nibble in yumyum
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July 3rd, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I cant’t wait to try both of these they look delicious!
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July 3rd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
wow. that looks so delicious!
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July 5th, 2010 at 11:54 am
ooo, sounds delish, almost salivating and we’re not even talking food here! bookmarking this post for future parties!
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July 6th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Congrats & good luck with the necklaces :)
I came across your blog a few days ago, and have since then scoured your Bits Of My Weekend feature, I love it! I always mean to keep my camera on me, and always forget.. well done on sticking with it over a year, man!
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