I’ve been working on our outdoor space for a few weeks now because we’re spending so much time there. I’ll admit, being outside is not my favorite place to be! I remember asking my optometrist why my eyes are so sensitive to the sun, his response was, “Well, were you always inside as a child?” I was a little embarrassed to admit that, yes, I was!

Soaking up the sun is something that I am truly enjoying these days and I will continue doing it with the kids. I certainly don’t want them having my sensitive eye problem! haha

While enjoying our outdoor time, we often make something refreshing to sip on.

I wanted to share some delicious drink recipes with you that we have been making that range from fruity drinks to coffee to cocktails.

For Peyton and Charlotte, smoothies are the most requested thing! They just down these and I sneak in spinach and oats when they’re not looking!

Mixed fruit smoothie

1.5 cups frozen fruit mix
1 banana
1.5 cups almond milk (any milk substitute)
1 tbsp honey
Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

Iced Coffee

I usually drink iced coffee year round and have found that this recipe is just as good as a coffee shop. It has saved money and my sanity during this time at home.

1.5 tbsp instant coffee (Nespresso is my favorite..add more if your kids wake you up in the middle of the night like mine do!)
1/2 cup of lactose free milk (or any milk will do)
1 package of stevia (or any sweetner)
1 cup boiling water
1.5 cups ice
I add the instant coffee and stevia first in a tumbler. Next, pour the boiled water in and stir (I use an electric tea pot for a quick boil). Add the ice and top off with milk. Instant coffee is such a life saver! I don’t like watered down iced coffee and I am thankful I can make it as strong as I need it to be!

Paloma

We took a trip to Las Vegas for my 29th birthday with our good friends, Daisy and Jaime. I had never been to Vegas and it was so much fun! This was where I first heard of this drink. Every where we stopped, Jaime would order a Paloma (and we stopped a lot! LOL). It was so much fun watching the bartenders make this drink because of its very pretty presentation.

1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp sugar mixed with 1 tsp hot water to create a simple syrup
1/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup topo chico or club soda
Rose Salt- (Recipe by Ivory and Noire Below)

Pour your salt on a plate and rub the rim of your glass with a grapefruit wedge. Dip in the salt. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup mixture. Stir in the tequila, add a few cubes of ice and top off with topo chico or club soda. Garnish with lime or grapefruit.

*Rose Salt- Recipe by Ivory and Noire*
*Makes approximately a 1⁄4 of a cup*
*1⁄4 cup dried rose petals* (Amazon)*
*1⁄2 cup fine sea salt*
*Directions:*
*In a food processor or spice grinder, grind the rose petals for about 10 seconds, until the petals resemble small flakes. Be sure not to grind them into a powder.*

I try to make sure our pantry is always stocked with supplies to make these drinks! I hope you take some time to enjoy them.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Amber