Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Watermelon Margarita Granita

Well, it's finally Friday again... whew. I promised the recipe for the Watermelon Margarita Granita last week so here it is. These are really easy to make, you just have to plan ahead... or you can break out the blender and make it a frozen margarita. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Watermelon Margarita Granita

Makes about 6 servings depending on glass size

4 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded ( I used leftovers, about 1/2 a melon)

1 1/2 cups tequila (I used Sauza Blanco)

1-2 teaspoons agave nectar to taste depending on the sweetness of the melon (you can sub Confectioners sugar)

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon orange liqueur ( I used Grand Marnier)

Put the watermelon in a blender to puree. Pass through a strainer to remove any pulp or seeds. (You can just mash it up with a fork if you don't have a blender) Add the rest of the ingredients and  mix well. Pour into a shallow pan and pop it in the freezer.  Once it is frozen, flake with a fork to make ice crystals or you can use an ice cream scoop.

You can freeze the watermelon rind and use it for serving as I did. It helps to keep the ice crystals from melting as quickly. Now, this is a sno-cone treat that will beat the summer heat for sure! Have a great weekend!

Missed last weekend? Try my Limoncello Berry Snow Cones pictured here for another icy indulgence!

Ultimate Summer Party Fun: Make Homemade Ice Cream!

In Argentina: Freddo's Dulce de Leche Ice CreamWhat is the ultimate party food? Ice cream, of course. I've been on a homemade ice cream kick. I just made a batch of homemade Dulce de leche. (caramel) I swear, it's pretty close to my favorite ice cream in the world, Freddo in Argentina! I'm going to work on perfecting the recipe but it's already pretty good.

HOMEMADE DULCE DE LECHE ICE CREAM

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used organic)

3 Tablespoons butter

pinch salt

1 cup whole milk

3 cups heavy cream

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar and cook it for about 4 minutes stirring constantly. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat and keep stirring so that the caramel won't stick or burn. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly stir in 1/4 cup cream and stir until smooth. Continue adding and stirring in the cream until it is all incorporated into the caramel. Next, whisk in the eggs, one at a time until well incorporated. Whisk in the milk and salt. Return to the heat and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the mixture reaches about 160 degrees with a candy thermometer. Stir in the vanilla. Place the pan into an ice bath or you can pour the mixture into a container and place it in the fridge until it has cooled completely. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to your ice cream maker and freeze according to directions. Once it is frozen, you'll have a nice soft serve or you can put it in the freezer and let it harden up a bit. Maybe I won't even need to go to Argentina this year!

Martie's Weekend Cocktail: Limoncello Snow Cones

Yes... it is another hot, hot, hot summer weekend! We took a poll last night on our FACEBOOK page and asked our friends what sounded better; watermelon or limoncello concoctions. It was close, but the limoncello won out! Try my Limoncello Berry Snow Cone and let me know what you think!

LIMONCELLO BERRY SNOW CONE

This one is a spin on two of my favorite things. Pink Lemonade and snow cones! Doesn't that sound soooo good? I love limoncello; if you've ever been to Capri or the Amalfi Coast, you've certainly had it. It is divinely sweet and will give your lemonade a perfect finish. I decided to make pink lemonade by adding some raspberries and raspberry vodka. Doesn't this just look perfect for a hot summer afternoon? Here's how to make it:

3 cups fresh lemonade (add a little lemon zest or lemon peel-- yum)

1/4 cup fresh raspberries

1 ounce raspberry vodka

1/2 cup limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)

Soak raspberries in the raspberry vodka for about 30 minutes. Mash the berries in the vodka and strain to remove the flesh and the seeds. You really just want the juice; that is what creates the pink color. Combine all ingredients. You can put this in an electric ice cream maker or put it on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer. The ice cream maker produces a creamier texture and the freezing produces an icy texture; use a fork to flake it into icy crystals. You don't have to freeze this drink; you can simply make it in a pitcher and pour over ice to serve. Garnish with lemon.

Next week... Watermelon Margarita Granitas!

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Cool Off with a Cold Drink! Try Martie's Watermelon Crush Cocktail

So... is it 100+ degrees where you live this weekend? Mix up some of these watermelon cocktails and just kick back and cool off! This is a great way to use up some of that watermelon you always have in the fridge in the summer. And you can freeze it so it is nice and slushy at serving time!

WATERMELON CRUSH COCKTAIL RECIPE

Makes 2

3 cups fresh watermelon, cubed

3 ounces citrus vodka

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier or orange flavored liqueur

1/2 ounce simple syrup (or you can add a teaspoon of Confectioners sugar instead; this is optional if your watermelon is really sweet)

Juice from one lime

Splash of orange juice

Take the fresh watermelon (use seedless if you can) and cut it into chunks. Put it in a blender and whir it a little until you can pour it. Strain to remove any seeds or pulp.   

Add all ingredients into the blender and whir it a little until smooth. Serve over ice!  

Try Martie's New Tequila Recipe, the Pink Pony, for National Tequila Day!

It's National Tequila Day! Who knew? We've been developing new tequila recipes for the past week and thought we'd share one with you in honor of the day!

Martie's Pink Pony Margarita

In a cocktail shaker:

1 1/2 ounces tequila

4 ounces pink grapefruit juice

Splash of cranberry

Squeeze of lime juice

Ice

Shake well. Pour into chilled margarita or martini glass. Rim with salt if you like!