Strawberry Basil Lemonade

My darling daughter loves pink lemonade because her favorite color is pink. She also adores strawberries (who doesn’t?) so I combined her favorite drink with her favorite fruit to make a refreshing twist on traditional lemonade, with a touch of basil to add subtle sophistication. As is, this recipe is kid friendly but I wouldn’t object if you added a splash of rum or vodka…

STRAWBERRY BASIL LEMONADE

2 quarts of pink or yellow lemonade
10 large strawberries
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
10-12 large basil leaves
2 or 3 drops red food coloring

Pour lemonade into a serving pitcher.

Place strawberries, sugar and all but 2 or 3 basil leaves in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process on high until liquified.

Strain strawberry mixture through a fine sieve into the lemonade. Stir well.

Add the food coloring and stir well.

Add the remaining basil leaves to the pitcher.

Chill before serving.

Makes 2 quarts.

The Fairy Godmother

Emily and Cat joined The A List so now they need to get their party on! You know what that means… cocktail time! These lovely ladies have been my BFFs since college and are friends so dear that they are like family. They are also my children’s godmothers. Or, as my darling daughter always calls them- the fairy godmothers, because they must be magical to always know exactly the right presents to send for Christmas and birthdays. So pop a cork and raise your glass to Emily and Cat!

THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

1/2 small, ripe honeydew melon
6 large raspberries
1 bottle dry champagne

A few hours before cocktail time, place the raspberries in a single layer on a small plate line with wax paper. Put in the freezer.

Peel and seed the honeydew. Puree until smooth in a blender.

Place one tablespoon of the honeydew puree in the bottom of a champagne flute. Top off with champagne. Drop a frozen raspberry into the glass to keep the drink cold.

Make a toast to friendship and enjoy.

Makes 6 cocktails.

Happy Hour with The Lovely Girlfriend

Kudos to Karen for becoming the second person to join The A List and earn herself a celebratory cocktail. I am always impressed by her compassion, great taste in music and her fluency in Russian as a second language. I have it on pretty good authority that 10 out of 10 people agree that Karen is a very awesome lady, especially her boyfriend. (He also happens to be awesome. Check out his site at http://www.thecultureofme.com.) Said boyfriend has the most wonderful term of endearment for his sweetie- The Lovely Girlfriend. His website makes frequent references to The Lovely Girlfriend. And now Revel & Feast does too. But in Russian.

милые подруги (The Lovely Girlfriend)

3 juicy blackberries
1 small mint leaf
1 shot of light rum
1 cup of ginger ale

In a tall glass, muddle together the blackberries and mint until the blackberries release some of their juice and the mint is fragrant. Pour in the rum and top off with the ginger ale. Serves one Lovely Girlfriend.

My Very First RSVP to Revel & Feast!!

Congrats to my best girl Lauren on becoming the first follower of Revel & Feast. She now gets a cocktail named in her honor. What’s that you say? You want a cocktail named after you too? Join The A List and I’ll make it happen.

Lauren is not only a very pretty lady, she also has a very sexy brain that she uses to defend your consumer rights in the courtroom. Thus, I present to you:

THE SEXY LAWYER

3/4 cup white sugar
5 cups very cold water
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (please do not cheat by using bottled juice)
1 inch knob of ginger, thinly sliced
1 cup amaretto
1/3 cup vodka

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, one cup of water and the ginger slices. Make a simple syrup by completely dissolving the sugar in the water over low heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Discard ginger slices.

Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher and then pour in the simple syrup. Stir thoroughly.

Add the remaining water, amaretto and vodka. Stir thoroughly.

Pour over ice into a tall glass. Sit back and enjoy.

Makes enough for you and your five best friends.