Tag

easy drink

Browsing
30 Minutes or Less

Sunset Spritz Mocktail Recipe

By
sunset spritz mocktail in a glass with fresh blueberries and pineapple on top.

Light and refreshing sunset spritz mocktail! Fresh blueberries and pineapples, with a hint of lime, and plenty of bubbles. This sunset spritz mocktail is so tasty, you won’t even miss the alcohol!

club soda being poured into a sunset spritz mocktail.

This mocktail is a recreation of one I enjoyed daily on my babymoon. No longer able to order an alcoholic beverage, I worked my way through the pool bar’s cocktail menu for a refreshing drink that’d still taste good without the alcohol. One day, I came across the “sunset spritz” and all ingredients sounded DELICIOUS. So I immediately ordered one …without the vodka. And OMG it was delicious! From there on out, the sunset spritz mocktail became my daily afternoon drink order. While best enjoyed poolside, I took the idea home with me and immediately recreated it. Now I can enjoy a fun, bubbly drink during happy hour (or really any hour!) that’s pregnancy-safe and oh-so good!

close-up image of sunset spritz mocktail with fresh bleuberries and pineapple on top.

What You’ll Need to Make a Sunset Spritz Mocktail

Fresh Blueberries and Pineapple – The fresh fruit in this recipe really puts it over the top! It makes this mocktail recipe feel fancy, without actually requiring a whole lot of effort. And if you don’t have fresh fruit, you can thaw frozen blueberries and pineapples instead for your drink.

Lime Juice – A touch of citrus perfectly balances the sweetness in this drink. The original recipe I enjoyed on my babymoon actually uses fresh lemon juice, but when I tried it at home I thought lime juice tasted just a little bit better. However, if you don’t have/like lime juice, feel free to use lemon instead!

Agave Nectar – I always keep a bottle of agave nectar in my bar cart for cocktail recipes! It’s a natural sweetener, and perfect replacement to simple syrup. I use agave nectar in many of my cocktail recipes, like this skinny strawberry margarita, and my Mom’s famous lime daiquiris!

Club Soda – A little bit of bubbles will make your sunset spritz mocktail taste like an actual cocktail! Put as much or as little club soda in your drink as you’d like. I personally prefer a super light and refreshing mocktail, so I fill my glass all the way to the top with unflavored club soda.

sunset spritz mocktail in a glass with fresh blueberries and pineapple on top.

Add Alcohol

  • Turn this mocktail recipe into a cocktail recipe with the addition of 1 ounce of vodka! I look forward to giving this a try post-pregnancy.
Sunset Spritz Mocktail Recipe
Pin
Print

Sunset Spritz Mocktail Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

drink
Prep time

3

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

3

minutes

Light and refreshing sunset spritz mocktail! Fresh blueberries and pineapples, with a hint of lime, and plenty of bubbles. This sunset spritz mocktail is so tasty, you won’t even miss the alcohol!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries

  • 4-5 pineapple chunks

  • 1 ounce lime juice

  • 1 ounce agave nectar

  • club soda

Directions

  • Add the fresh blueberries and pineapple chunks to a glass, then muddle until fruit is broken down.
  • Add in lime juice and agave nectar, then stir to combine.
  • Fill glass with ice, then top with club soda.

Recipe Video

Did you make this recipe?

Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

Like this recipe?

Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

View Post
By
30 Minutes or Less

Perfect Aperol Spritz

By
aperol spritz with fresh orange slices on the side.

The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you’ll need to make this delicious drink.

aperol being poured into an aperol spritz.

Before diving into all things Aperol spritz, let me first introduce you to a “spritz Veneziano.” A spritz Veneziano is simply a wine-based cocktail containing prosecco, digestive bitter, and sparkling water. The digestive bitter in this particular spritz Veneziano is Aperol – which is where we get the name Aperol spritz!

What is Aperol?

Aperol is an Italia apéritif liquor. It’s bright orange with a citrus, slightly bitter flavor. It’s one of those things where on its own, it’s not so great, but when stirred into a spritz it’s INCREDIBLE. It offers a hint of orange flavor, without being overly sweet. It’s similar to Campari (if you’ve had that) but much less bitter!

Two aperol spritz in white wine glasses with a bottle of aperol on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make an Aperol Spritz

Aperol – The star of our show! Conflicting recipes will suggest different amounts of Aperol for your spritz. However, I’ve tested this recipe a TON of times, and found that two ounces of Aperol made for the perfect cocktail!

Prosecco – This Italian white sparkling wine is traditional to this Italian cocktail. In my opinion, Prosecco is a must for your spritz. I prefer and recommend La Marca Prosecco – it’s crisp and delicious! Also, for a single-serve spritz, I love their mini Prosecco bottles.

Sparkling Water – The amount of sparkling water is totally up to you. For a lighter, more bubbly cocktail, pour in up to 4 ounces of seltzer water. Or, for a deeper, more flavorful cocktail, finish it off with just one ounce of sparkling water!

two aperol spritz with orange slices on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid over-stirring your drink. Intense stirring will result in a loss of carbonation. Therefore, your spritz won’t be nearly as bubbly and refreshing!
  • If you prefer the taste of a different aperitif liquer, feel free to use that instead! Campari, Contratto, or Lillet can all be used in place of the Aperol in this recipe.
  • For an extra cold drink, that won’t get watered down – slice, then freeze an orange before making. Then, use frozen orange slices as ice cubes in your Aperol Spritz. They’ll keep the drink cold, and will only add to its delicious, citrus flavor!

Want to keep the party going? Check out some of my other favorite Summer cocktails by clicking HERE.

Perfect Aperol Spritz
Pin
Print

Perfect Aperol Spritz

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: DrinksCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

drink
Prep time

2

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

2

minutes

    The BEST summertime (or anytime!) cocktail – cool and refreshing Aperol spritz! Bubbly, citrusy, and never too sweet. Just three ingredients, and a white wine glass is all you’ll need to make this delicious drink.

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces Aperol

    • 3 ounces Prosecco

    • splash of sparkling water

    • orange slice, for garnish

    Directions

    • Fill a white wine glass halfway with ice. Pour in Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of seltzer water, then gently stir to combine. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

    Like this recipe?

    Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

    View Post
    By
    Drinks

    Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe (Iced Tea Lemonade)

    By
    lemonade being poured into a glass of an arnold palmer drink with lemon slices on the side

    This arnold palmer recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! A simple lemonade meets a home-brewed iced tea for a beverage that is perfectly light and refreshing. Enjoy an arnold palmer on a hot summer day as a slightly sweet and cooling drink!

    lemonade being poured into a glass of an arnold palmer drink with lemon slices on the side

    Ask me what my favorite non-alcoholic beverage is and I’ll say an arnold palmer every time. I look forward to every summer when the only thing that will refresh and cool me off is one of these half ice tea, half lemonade drinks. While this arnold palmer recipe isn’t limited to just the summertime, it’s just something I’ve associated with very hot days over the years. Let me tell you, the combination of fresh brewed iced tea and a homemade lemonade simply hits different when it’s a billion degrees outside.

    The funny thing is, for the longest time I thought of this drink like it was one of those things I could only order while out to eat. But what I didn’t realize for all those years is how freaking EASY it is to make at home. The lemonade for this arnold palmer recipe consists of just three ingredients (one being water) and the iced tea consists of just two ingredients (again, one being water)! I’m talking like stupid easy, ladies and gentleman. And because it’s me who created the recipe – this drink is refined sugar-free, too.

    What You Need To Make This Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe

    Lemons – Lots and lots of lemons! If you have a lemon juicer, go ahead and whip that baby out for this recipe. In the end, you’ll need an entire cup of lemon juice. Which may sound like a lot, but will actually only end up being about 6 to 8 juicy lemons. My trick for super juicy lemons is to roll them between my palm and the counter before slicing them in half. By rolling them, you’ll soften up the inside making it easier to squeeze as much lemon juice out of them as possible.

    Honey – This natural sweetener is the only sweetener you’ll need for this arnold palmer drink recipe! I love honey for its high dose of antioxidants and strong anti-bacterial properties. It’s also perfectly sweet and makes a delicious addition to this refreshing beverage. If you don’t have honey, you can use either maple syrup or simple syrup instead.

    Black Tea Bags – Any black tea bags will work! I’ve also used green tea instead of black tea and had great results. Brew your own tea by adding the tea bags to water and leaving it to steep in the fridge for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. Homemade iced tea couldn’t be easier to make, and is essential to this simple arnold palmer drink recipe!

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

    • Make it Vegan: Substitute maple syrup for the honey to make this a vegan arnold palmer drink recipe.
    Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe (Iced Tea Lemonade)
    Pin
    Print

    Arnold Palmer Drink Recipe (Iced Tea Lemonade)

    5 from 3 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: Better Than Takeout, Made Healthy
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    30

    minutes
    Cooking time

    40

    minutes
    Calories

    300

    kcal
    Total time

    1

    hour 

    10

    minutes

    This arnold palmer recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! A simple lemonade meets a home-brewed iced tea for a beverage that is perfectly light and refreshing. Enjoy an arnold palmer on a hot summer day as a slightly sweet and cooling drink!

    Ingredients

    • For the lemonade:

    • 1 cup lemon juice (about 6-7 lemons)

    • 1/2 cup honey, see Notes

    • 2 cups cold water

    • For the iced tea:

    • 4 black tea bags

    • 4 cups cold water

    Directions

    • Make the iced tea by placing the tea bags in 4 cups of water then transfer to the fridge to steep for 8-12 hours.
    • Make the lemonade by adding all lemonade ingredients to a large jar or pitcher and stirring until honey dissolves completely.
    • Fill a cup with ice and fill halfway with iced tea, then the rest of the way with lemonade.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Honey: Feel free to use maple syrup or simple syrup in place of the honey in this recipe!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

    Like this recipe?

    Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

    Other Low-Sugar Drink Recipes

    View Post
    By
    30 Minutes or Less

    Pineapple Mimosas

    By
    Close up image of pineapple mimosas, garnished with fresh pineapple.

    These pineapple mimosas are a new and improved version of a brunch-time favorite! Fresh pineapple and a bottle of bubbly is all you’ll need for this effortless cocktail. Whip these innovative mimosas out at your next party or picnic and impress everyone with your new bartending skills (no one has to know how easy they were to make!).

    Close up image of pineapple mimosas, garnished with fresh pineapple.

    I’m sure we’re all pretty familiar with the classic orange juice mimosa. Perhaps we even enjoy a grapefruit mimosa on occasion. While yes, both flavors are good, they’re kind of …hmmm how do I say this politely – outdated?!

    After years of drinking well cocktails in dark/questionable bars, I familiarized myself with how nicely pineapple pairs with alcohol. Luckily, my taste in alcoholic beverages has since improved. But I continued to drink the same old boring mimosas at brunch. I knew I deserved better when it came to my brunch beverage options, and most importantly, I knew my readers deserved better too! *Enter the pineapple mimosa with homemade, two-ingredient pineapple juice.* These pineapple mimosas are nothing short of refreshing! Perfectly sweet, with just the right amount of juice. I promise you, and everyone you choose to share these pineapple mimosas with, will fall head-over-heels for this fun, new brunch cocktail!

    What You Need To Make Pineapple Mimosas

    Fresh Pineapple – I tried this recipe with frozen pineapple and while the taste was still on-point, the texture was too difficult to strain. However, if you don’t mind a bit of pulp in your drink – you can definitely use fresh or frozen pineapple and skip the straining step altogether!

    Champagne or Prosecco – Really any white sparkling wine will work here! And if i’m being completely honest, I usually can’t even taste a difference between Champagne or Prosecco. Therefore, I can’t recommend one over the other. However, I will say that the higher-end bottles of bubbly make better tasting pineapple mimosas – so keep that in mind when you’re shopping!

    Make it a Mimosa Mocktail

    • Skip the champagne in these pineapple mimosas and use a flavored sparkling water instead! I’d recommend a grapefruit, lemon, or pineapple flavored sparkling water for these mocktails.

    Pineapple Mimosas Tips and Tricks

    • Add a few pieces of frozen pineapple to the bottom of each glass to chill your cocktails. This is a great way to keep these drinks cold in warmer months, without watering them down!
    • If you have a juicer, feel free to use that to make the pineapple juice instead! Simply run fresh pineapple chunks through the juicer and use it directly in this recipe – no need to strain it.
    • Prep these pineapple mimosas ahead of time by making the fresh pineapple juice and storing it in the fridge until guests arrive or you’re ready to serve. Then, pop a bottle of Champagne and pour up those cocktails!
    Pineapple Mimosas
    Print

    Pineapple Mimosas

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    6

    mimosas
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    These pineapple mimosas are a new and improved version of a brunch-time favorite! Fresh pineapple and a bottle of bubbly is all you’ll need for this effortless cocktail. Whip these innovative mimosas out at your next party or picnic and impress everyone with your new bartending skills (no one has to know how easy they were to make!).

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups fresh pineapple

    • 1/2 cup water, see Notes

    • 750ml bottle of Champagne or Prosecco, chilled

    Directions

    • Blend the pineapple and water together until completely smooth.
    • Pour pineapple juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp.
    • Add 1 ounce of fresh pineapple juice to a champagne flute and top with chilled Champagne or Prosecco.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • If you’re having trouble blending the pineapple, add more water as you see necessary.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share it and tag @samdoesherbest on Instagram!

    Like this recipe?

    Follow us @samdoesherbest on Pinterest

    More Delicious Cocktail Recipes

    View Post
    By