Berry Berry Fizz

I fell in LOVE with this when I saw it. I love Prosecco. A friend's mother works at a winery. She gave Jason and I a case for our wedding. I have yet to find a Prosecco as awesome as hers but this drink doesn't need amazing Prosecco to make it delicious! Super easy and stuff we had in the house already. A must try! :)

• 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen sliced strawberries, defrosted
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 (8-ounce) bag frozen blueberries
• 1 bottle Prosecco (Italian Champagne)
  

In a food processor, puree the sliced strawberries, with their juice, and honey until smooth.

Pour a generous spoonful of the fruit puree into a champagne flute. Add a few frozen blueberries and top with Prosecco. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Lemon-Ginger Iced Tea with Berry Cubes

I made this this morning for Jason when he gets home! He'll love it!

• 1 cup (4 ounces) raspberries, rinsed
• Water for ice cube trays, plus 8 cups water, divided
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) coarsely chopped fresh ginger
• 6 white tea bags
• 3 lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
• Lemon slices
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

Place about 4 raspberries in each compartment of an ice cube tray, 6 hours before serving iced tea. Fill with water and freeze.

Place honey, 2 cups water and ginger in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let mixture steep for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, then strain out solids.

In a pitcher combine strained liquid with 6 cups water and lemon juice. Chill in refrigerator.

To serve, place 3 ice cubes in a tall glass and pour iced tea over cubes. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.

Champagne Granita

Anyone want something cool, refreshing, and super easy to make?! :) You found it! So simple yet a super fun, adult treat! :)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 lemons
  
• 1 (750-ml) bottle Champagne or other sparkling white wine, cold

Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator until cold, about 1 hour.

Using the finest grater you have, lightly scrape the skin of 1 lemon, removing only the top surface of the peel. Squeeze out the juice and remove the seeds from both lemons.

Open the Champagne or sparkling wine, and pour it into a 9 by 12 by 2-inch pan. Mix in the simple syrup, lemon juice, and grated zest. Place mixture into the freezer. Check after 30 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, break up any ice formed on the sides and stir into the rest of the liquid. Continue to freeze and repeat this procedure every hour for at least 3 hours. Before serving, fluff the granita by "chopping" up any clumps with the spoon or gently whisking the frozen mixture. Spoon into small glasses or cups and serve.

Coconut-Banana Colada

We tried this the other night after a nice steak dinner. It was so wonderful and was the perfect "dessert" to follow our dinner. We sat out on the patio in the warm air, drinking our cold drinks. Amazing. I hope you enjoy this.

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled, quartered and frozen
• 1 cup canned crushed pineapple in juice
  
• 3 ounces coconut rum or dark rum
• 1 cup canned cream of coconut (available in the International aisle)
• 1 lime, halved
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted, for garnish (optional)

Place the bananas and pineapple in a blender; puree until smooth. Add the rum, cream of coconut, 2 cups ice cubes and the juice of half the lime; blend until smooth and frothy. Thinly slice the remaining lime half. Pour the colada into glasses; garnish with lime slices and toasted coconut, if desired.