Friday Finds - Summery Sips

This weekend marks the "official" start of summer, which means, for the next three months or so (longer if you live in Florida) you can expect picnics, bbq's, boat trips, and beach days. I can just smell the sunscreen and hot dogs already!

Because we know that none of these activities would be complete without a sampling of summertime beverages, we've compiled a list of a few of our favorites for your enjoyment.

The Mojito

A Louis Ayoub favorite and an all around classy summertime drink, best for pool parties and bbq's. We highly suggest you skip the store mix for these babies as fresh mint in large quantities is the key to making this drink delish.

Ingredients:

Ice

6 ounces light rum
12 mint sprigs,roughly broken apart

6 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 tablespoons sugar

Club soda

Directions: Place ice in beverage shaker then add in the rum, mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar. Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass. Top off each glass with a splash of club soda. Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint. The Bacardi booty shake is entirely optional.

The Arnold Palmer

Or a half and half if you prefer. My mom's personal favorite and the perfect summer drink for any occasion. For those of us who crave something a little sweeter than regular iced tea, but find lemonade or sweet tea makes us bounce off the walls, this drink is the perfect combo of tart, refreshing tea and sweet lemonade. Not to mention it's so simple to make!

Ingredients:

Ice

Iced Tea

Lemonade

Directions: Fill a pitcher or a glass half way with iced tea and top it off with lemonade. The great thing about this drink...well there are many great things about this drink...but here are two - first you can always use light lemonade to cut back on calories...it IS bikini season after all. And second, you can always adjust the ratio of tea to lemonade however you see fit. It's pretty much impossible to screw up this drink!

La Playa Sauvignon Blanc

Monica's personal favorite! Crisp and refreshing perfect to sip while relaxing pool side or watching the sunset..Best part it's cheap!! Wine Warehouse on Bay to Bay sells it for $7.99

We hope everyone has a wonderful, long, refreshing Memorial Day weekend. Don't forget the sunscreen!!