now, before you go panicking that it's going to be nothing but mocktails and mommy smoothies for the next six months, calm yourself. i still make wes a weekly cocktail and friyay happy hour will live on.

in fact, i doctored up this mocktail for wesley with two ounces of tequila and an ounce of triple sec. so if you are still needing something boozy today, you can easily convert this to a strawberry hibiscus margarita. hell, just add some vodka and you will be good to go if that is more your style.

now, for those moms to be and all those non drinkers out there, today we have a delicious non alcoholic beverage. hibiscus syrup is a great ingredient to keep on hand to add sweetness and flavor to a beverage or baked good. and it perfectly compliments the gorgeous strawberries on produce store shelves right now.

strawberry hibiscus mocktail

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 3 strawberries, two diced and one for garnish. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 oz lemon juice. 6 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. muddler. strainer. edible flowers for garnish, optional.

in the cup of a shaker or pint glass, combine your diced strawberries, lemon juice and hibiscus syrup.

muddle till all the strawberries are smashed to smithereens. put a slice in your remaining strawberry and add it to the rim of your serving glass. fill your serving glass with ice.

use the strainer to strain the liquid over the ice in your serving glass.

top it off with the club soda and stir well to combine.

garnish with edible flowers and serve.

xo, a

strawberry hibiscus mocktail

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 3 strawberries, two diced and one for garnish. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 oz lemon juice. 6 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. muddler. strainer. edible flowers for garnish, optional.

in the cup of a shaker or pint glass, combine your diced strawberries, lemon juice and hibiscus syrup. muddle till all the strawberries are smashed to smithereens. put a slice in your remaining strawberry and add it to the rim of your serving glass. fill your serving glass with ice. use the strainer to strain the liquid over the ice in your serving glass. top it off with the club soda and stir well to combine. garnish with edible flowers and serve.

things are looking bright, shiny and new as i welcome in another year of life. yesterday was my thirty-first birthday and i spent the day working at things i love, surrounded by people i love. and in my opinion, that is a pretty perfect birthday. i was able to teach spin, yoga and swim lessons and i shared my heart with my students the best way i know how, with lots of cake. 

early may has always been been a special time. it is not only my birthday on the fourth, but some of my closest friends and family have birthdays within days of mine. and yesterday, the early may days got a little more special. on may third just hours from my own birthday, on the other side of the world, my soul sister jeanelle gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, vibrant girl named elena, making me an auntie to another beautiful baby girl. 

so i will be celebrating baby girl and her sweet momma all weekend long. even though we can't be together for these special days, i know we are both celebrating our special moments together. sunday, i'll be toasting all the special birthdays with this agua fresca. wes and i are having close friends and family over and we are serving up this tasty watermelon beverage. it is great on it's own, or with a little nip of vodka or rum. 

watermelon agua fresca
serves: 2 cups agua fresca
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes ingredients: 2 cups chopped watermelon (the juicier the better). 1 tbs lime juice + 1 lime wedge for garnish. 5 mint leaves + mint sprig for garnish. 1 tbs sugar. stainer. food processor or blender. 

start by combining your mint leaves and watermelon in the bowl of a food processor or blender. blend until completely pureed. 

train the liquid over a large bowl or cup. press out all the juices of the water melon and discard the solids. 

stir in lime juice and sugar till well combined. 

pour over ice (add alcohol if you like), garnish with mint sprig + a lime wedge and serve. 

xo, a

watermelon agua fresca
serves: 2 cups agua fresca
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes ingredients: 2 cups chopped watermelon (the juicier the better). 1 tbs lime juice + 1 lime wedge for garnish. 5 mint leaves + mint sprig for garnish. 1 tbs sugar. stainer. food processor or blender. start by combining your mint leaves and watermelon in the bowl of a food processor or blender. blend until completely pureed. strain the liquid over a large bowl or cup. press out all the juices of the water melon and discard the solids. stir in lime juice and sugar till well combined. pour over ice (add alcohol if you like), garnish with mint sprig + a lime wedge and serve.