Going out for happy hour can be lots of fun, but it also comes with the need to drink responsibly and the impact of high-priced cocktails (and maybe the occasional let-down of a watered-down drink). Try bringing your happy hour home with some refreshing drink recipes, and not only do you get more bang for your buck, but you get a drink mixed exactly the way you want it!

Red wine lemonade is a perfect summertime cocktail – a little sweet, a little bubbly, and not quite as involved as making sangria (translation: easy to throw together after a long day). I imagine this would go nicely with a variety of red wines, but I loved the first wine I chose for this recipe so much that I’ve never strayed from it.  Pick a wine you like and you can’t go wrong! Not a big red wine drinker? Seek out the one recommended below (perfect for people who aren’t really red wine fans) or check in with the folks at your local wine shop and ask for a recommendation.

Be sure to take a few minutes and make the simple syrup. Though you can use granulated sugar, it won’t dissolve as well in your drink. You could also try a little agave nectar in place of the syrup!

Cheers!

Red Wine Lemonade
8.5 ounces club soda
juice of 2 lemons (approx. 4 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons simple syrup
1/2 cup sweet red wine (recommended: II Conte D’Alba NV Stella Rosa)

Combine all ingredients in a small pitcher and stir. Taste and adjust sweetness or lemon juice if necessary. Serve immediately over crushed ice and garnished with a lemon slice.

Yield: 2 drinksSimilar Posts:

• Foodie Fridays: Pineapple-Rum Punch
• Foodie Fridays: Pecan Pie Bars
• Foodie Fridays: The Mighty Mojito

Friday… oh, how I’ve missed you. You should really come around more often.

Tonight, I will celebrate the end of another week by letting my blender take center stage in the kitchen. The blender is a constant source of happiness for me in the summer… churning out cold, slushy concoctions that are perfect for battling the incessant heat and humidity. Add in a shot of alcohol and I’m a happy girl.

Since we grow a little container of mint every summer (at least for as long as my black thumb can keep it alive), the frozen mojito is a favorite in our house. We got this recipe from the infamous Pool Bar Jim and it never disappoints. Cool, crisp and refreshing, this is truly one of my favorite summer drinks.

Now… before I share the recipe, I’ve got two questions for you, dear FGG readers:

What’s your favorite summer drink (with or without alcohol)? And, since we want you to come back here for foodie inspiration every week, what kinds of foods/recipes would you like to see in future installments of Foodie Fridays?

Let the weekend begin!

Frozen Mojito
(recipe courtesy of the amazing PBJ)
3 ounces light rum
5-10 fresh mint leaves
1 ounce lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar
ice cubes*
1 ounce club soda

Place rum, mint leaves and lime juice in a mixing glass and muddle (bruise the mint leaves to allow them to release their oils). Strain the mixture; place the liquid into the blender and discard the muddled mint leaves. Add the sugar and enough ice to cover the contents of the blender. Blend until smooth. Add club soda and pulse several times to blend. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with mint sprig.

*Let your ice stand at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to let is melt just a little. This will help it to break down better in your blender.

Yield: 1 mojito

Looking for more great recipes? Visit my blog at
http://culinography.wordpress.comSimilar Posts:

• Foodie Fridays: Pineapple-Rum Punch
• Foodie Fridays: Cool Down with a Granita!
• Foodie Fridays: Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans & Goat Cheese