honey vanilla spritzer

have i mentioned that my two best friends are pregnant?
let's just say that my mockail game is strong right now!

this honey vanilla spritzer is totally different and worth a try.
i served it at marcy's baby shower last weekend
and since multiple people asked for the recipe, i thought i'd share with you all :)

the honey and vanilla definitely make this lean towards a sweeter drink,
think along the lines of a vanilla italian soda.
the amount of lime you add can take this in a completely different direction.
for me, i think i would have increased the lime quite a bit to give it a fresher,
brighter flavor profile, but feel free to follow the recipe exactly for something sweet and refreshing.

and yes, i did try it with vodka - don't judge me!
it was great. also think it might be tasty with tequila.

also: don't be alarmed by the little vanilla beans floating around in your drink!
i think it gives it character :)

recipe via martha stewart

ingredients

2/3 cup honey

1/2 cup water

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
here is a tutorial on splitting and scraping a vanilla bean

1/4 fresh lime juice

ice

4 cups chilled seltzer

directions

1. bring honey, water, and vanilla bean to a simmer in a saucepan.

cook, stirring, until honey dissolves. let cool completely.

strain through a fine sieve (there will be some vanilla seeds).

if the thought of these floating in your drink is not to your liking, 
just strain through a coffee filter!

2. stir in lime juice. divide among 4 ice-filled glasses.

top with seltzer.

for the party, i followed the same directions, but just combined in a large pitcher instead.

frozen coconut lime mocktail

i recently promised some of my pregnant friends

that i'd post a few mocktails for their enjoyment.

who says you can't have a great bevy like everyone else?!

this makes me nostalgic of hawaii...

of the shaved ice and the blended tropical cocktails.

YUM.

recipe via smitten kitchen

yields 3-4 mocktails

ingredients

2 1/2 cups crushed ice cubes

1 cup coconut milk, well shaken

1/3 cup lime juice (from about 3 limes)

3 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste)

lime slices for garnish

directions

1. blend everything in a blender until it reaches desired consistency.

2. pour into glasses and garnish with lime

(resist the urge to eat it with a spoon!)