Cucumber Mint Water

Oh. So. Refreshing.
I had cucumber water at a spa recently and fell in love, so I've been keeping a pitcher of it in the fridge...with my own spin on it, of course!

You need:
-Cucumber, about 1/3
-Fresh mint, about a handful
-Pitcher of water

Make it:
-Wash and slice cucumber. Place in pitcher.
-Wash mint. I left the leaves on the stems so that I didn't end up with leaves floating all around. Place in pitcher.
-Fill pitcher with water. Stir and place in fridge for a few hours. Serve cold.

Mint Julep

With Kentucky Derby coming up this weekend, I felt inspired to try to make Mint Juleps and they were so yummy!

Ingredients
1 cup water, plus more for diluting
1 cup sugar
About 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Kentucky bourbon or whiskey (shhh...don't tell. I only had Canadian whiskey)
Crushed ice
Mint for garnish

Mix 1 cup water, sugar and mint leaves in sauce pan over medium high heat until boiling and sugar is dissolved. Boil for 3 or 4 minutes and remove from heat. Let syrup cool.

Pour one part syrup and one part whiskey over crushed ice. Add a splash or two of cool water and stir. Adjust final drink proportions according to taste. Garnish with a sprig of mint, put on your big hat and watch the derby!


image source for hat pic

mint ice

so, growing up, my mom always made mint ice cubes for tea and water. it's just so fresh (and so clean, clean!). it's not really a recipe, as much as it is an idea...an idea that makes you look like a regular ole' martha stewart!


24 fresh mint leaves
water

rub each mint leaf between fingers to release fragrance and oils. place two leaves in each ice tray. fill tray with water and freeze. serve in tea, water or other beverage. so fresh and pretty!

Amaretto Hot Chocolate

Dangerously delicious, hot, creamy, almondy, chocolaty goodness...perfect for a cold and relaxed evening cuddled up on the couch with your lovey.

-Hot chocolate mix, made according to package directions
-Amaretto liquor...add as much or as little as you want, depending on how dangerous you feel ;)

-Just mix the two and voila! But, I'm seriously warning you...It's dangerous.