Watermelon Margaritas

3 cups cubed seedless watermelonWatermelon Margaritas
1 cup tequila
1 Tbs sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup triple sec
Ice

Add watermelon, tequila, sugar, lime juice, and triple sec to a blender.  Fill to the top with ice and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.  Add ice to salt rimmed (optional) margarita glasses (the margarita glasses are also optional.  You can use whatever you have in the house), and pour margaritas over the ice.  Serve immediately!

Strawberry Basil Martinis

5 Fresh Strawberries

2 Basil Leaves

1 oz vodka

2 tsp sugar

muddle the strawberries, 1 basil leaf and sugar in the bottom of a shaker.  Allow to sit for at least five minutes so that the strawberries release their juices.  Add vodka and ice and shake.  Pour into a martini glass and garnish with the remaining basil leaf.

Recipe notes: Basil and strawberries may seem like an unusual combination, but it is actually quite delicious.  The basil imparts a fresh, yet subtle flavor.

Lavender Scented Pink Martinis

1 sprig fresh Lavender

2 oz Fresh Lemonade

1 1/2 oz Vodka

3 Raspberries plus additional raspberries for garnish

ice

smash the fresh lavender with 3 raspberries in a shaker.  Add plenty of ice, vodka, and lemonade and shake vigorously.  Place additional raspberries into a martini glass and pour cocktail into the glass.  Serve and enjoy!

Sangria

1 Bottle of Red wine

2 Cups Orange Juice

1/2 Cup Superfine Sugar (or to taste)

Lots of fresh fruit, sliced thinly if necessary

1/2 cup triple sec

1 bottle of prosecco or cava (or other inexpensive sparkling wine)

Mix the red wine, orange juice, sugar, triple sec and fruit until sugar is dissolved.  Add fresh fruit and chill thoroughly.  When ready to serve, add a splash of the sparkling wine to the serving glass and plenty of ice.  Garnish with fruit from the sangria.

Recipe advice: I usually use a Jammy Shiraz.  Don't use good wine.  Its a waste.  There are so many ingredients in the sangria you really don't taste the wine.  I usually use a combination of thinly sliced apples, oranges, lemons, limes, and strawberries but you can really use whatever combination of fruit sounds good to you!  Also, adjust the sugar, triple sec, and orange juice amounts to your taste.