well this sangria was supposed to be posted for friyay, but then i started drinking at three. and you all know what happens when you day drink. 

we are up in tahoe with our good friends blake and morgan for the weekend celebrating the start to summer. this weekend is all about spending time relaxing by the lake enjoying good food, good company and good cocktails. 

i made this sangria a couple weeks ago for a ladies dinner party and i knew it was going to become my summer go to. it's hard to imagine, but it is even lighter than a standard sangria and the watermelon makes it so refreshing. be careful, this cocktail can be considered dangerous. basically it tastes like there isn't any booze in it. consider yourself warned.

watermelon sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 15 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 20 minutes
ingredients: 4 cups watermelon. 1 bottle dry white wine of your choice. 8oz vodka. 4 oz triple sec. 4 oz lime fresh lime juice. 3 kiwis, cut into .5 inch cubes. 1 cup blackberries, halved. 10 lavender flower blossoms. 

start by juicing your watermelon. in a food processor, puree the watermelon till liquid. now you have a choice. if you like pulp and want the drink a bit junkier, you do not have to strain the liquid. if you like a smooth sangria, strain your watermelon juice. 

then, in a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients. 

stir well to combine. 

serve over ice. 

xo, a

watermelon sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 15 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 20 minutes
ingredients: 4 cups watermelon. 1 bottle dry white wine of your choice. 8oz vodka. 4 oz triple sec. 4 oz lime fresh lime juice. 3 kiwis, cut into .5 inch cubes. 1 cup blackberries, halved. 10 lavender flower blossoms.
start by juicing your watermelon. in a food processor, puree the watermelon till liquid. now you have a choice. if you like pulp and want the drink a bit junkier, you do not have to strain the liquid. if you like a smooth sangria, strain your watermelon juice. then, in a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients. stir well to combine. serve over ice. 

if the lavender in the secret garden is any indicator, spring has arrived. which tickles me pink because i'm in LOVE with lavender. yes, that may seem dramatic. but it is true. it's a smell that i associate with so many amazing memories in my own life and has such a natural calming effect (which i often need, desperately). 

now that i'm a cook, lavender has found it's way onto my table in many more ways than just vases. i love using it for wet rubs for protein, baked into pretty much anything and in my mind it is the perfect herb for a cocktail. and those colors!!! 

in celebration of spring, and friyay i needed a bright, floral beverage. this combo delivered. and the heavy citrus flavors really mellow out a strong drink.

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. 

start by prepping your lavender sprigs.

gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. 

add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. 

add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain.

shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined.

fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass.

strain your cocktail over the ice. 

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. start by prepping your lavender sprigs. gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain. shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass. strain your cocktail over the ice. serve and enjoy.