How I Celebrated Summer with a Girls' Night Out and Minute Maid
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Summer is in the air and the mercury has begun to boil. With the extreme heat alerts this week, it's no wonder I have been craving icy drinks and sweet smoothies. To celebrate summer, I joined the inspirational blogger behind +Listen to Lena and several other guests at the Minute Maid #CelebrateSummer event held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Toronto. My husband had to work late that night but I made it just in time to watch mixologist Nadine Hughes as she demonstrated some really delicious recipes. The number one recipe on my must-try list? The Pucker-up Granita!
Pucker-up Granita
(makes 6 servings) 
Simple Syrup:
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
1 cup (250 mL) chopped fresh mint
1 can Minute Maid® Lemonade Frozen concentrate, mixed with 3 cans water
1 can Minute Maid® Limeade Frozen concentrate, mixed with 3 cans water
Mint leaves for garnish
Simple syrup: In a small pot over medium-high heat, stir together water and sugar and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in mint; cover and keep on the side. Meanwhile, pour Minute Maid® Frozen Lemonade into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Strain mint from simple syrup. Stir simple syrup into Minute Maid® Limeade, pour into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Using fork, scrape surface of each mixture creating an icy snow. Layer lemonade and limeade in glass with chopped mint. Garnish with mint leaves.
1 can Minute Maid® Limeade Frozen concentrate, mixed with 3 cans water
Mint leaves for garnish
Simple syrup: In a small pot over medium-high heat, stir together water and sugar and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in mint; cover and keep on the side. Meanwhile, pour Minute Maid® Frozen Lemonade into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Strain mint from simple syrup. Stir simple syrup into Minute Maid® Limeade, pour into large, shallow glass baking dish and place in freezer overnight.
Using fork, scrape surface of each mixture creating an icy snow. Layer lemonade and limeade in glass with chopped mint. Garnish with mint leaves.
~
Of course, I loved the Peachy Sparkler and the Tropical Smoothie served in shot glasses. But I love smoothies so it was the Minute Maid Strawberry Smoothie that won me over. On the way home, I had to stop by the grocery store to redeem one of the vouchers included in our gift bag so that I could enjoy it the next day. It was really easy to prepare.
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| Peachy Sparkler |
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| Tropical Smoothie |
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| Nadine Hughes, Mixologist |
And I thoroughly enjoyed ringing in summer with my friend Lena and a number of local bloggers who I hadn't seen in a while...
... such as my BlogHer travel mate, the one, the only, the always fashionable and incredibly well colour-coordinated @ShopwithRobin.
Now, if I haven't yet tempted you to pull out your blender and throw together a refreshing blended Minute Maid-inspired drink, check out Lena's Celebrate Summer with Minute Maid post. She's giving away a fabulous prize pack that includes a blender and a bunch of Minute Maid goodies.
Go ahead. I can wait.
I'll just sit back and enjoy a smoothie while you do.
Cheers!
5 COMMENTS
Ahhhh! Once again wishing there was some kind of portal between your city and mine :) Looks like it was a great night out and your discovered some fabulous new reciepes! Must try that peachy one :)
ReplyDeleteIf you love peach-flavoured drinks, you will love the peachy sparkler.
DeleteSo when are you moving to Toronto?
Wasn't it fun? It was so nice to get a chance to catch up with you and chat over yummy summer bevvies.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice, indeed! Definitely a fun girls' night out. :)
DeleteOh yum! I love Minute Maid products so I will have to try this out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to leave a comment here on Toronto Teacher Mom. Hope you have a great day!