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. 

maybe it is just that time of year, but i'm struggling this week. i've been grinding pretty hard both physically and creatively since twenty-seventeen started and i believe it is starting to wear me down. i tell my students all the time, when you are tired, rest. when you need to recharge, listen to your body. listen to your mind. so i gave myself yesterday off.

today, i continued my recharge with an epic yoga class with friends and now i'm hunkering down on my couch with this warming cocktail while stormageddon rages outside my window. i suggest you get home asap and do the same! 

pomegranate + mint hot & cold
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 1 green tea bag. 1 cup hot water. 2 oz gin. 1 oz pomegranate simple syrup (recipe to follow).1 oz lime juice. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig of mint for garnish. 2 lime slices for garnish. muddler. strainer. mug of choice. 

start by combining your tea bag and water in your mug. allow the tea to steep for 3 minutes. 

while your tea steeps, muddle your mint in the bottom of a glass. add the gin, simple syrup and lime juice to the glass and shake or stir well to combine. 

remove the tea bag from the tea. 

using your strainer, pour the gin mixture directly into your tea. 

stir well to combine. 

garnish with lime slices and mint and serve. 

pomegranate simple syrup
serves: 1 cup liquid
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 20 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup sugar. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1 cup water. 1 small sauce pot. 

combine all the ingredients in the sauce pot. 

bring the liquid to a boil.let the liquid boil until the sugar is dissolved. about 3-5 minutes.

remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temp.

strain and use or store in the fridge for up to a month.

xo, a

pomegranate + mint hot & cold
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 1 green tea bag. 1 cup hot water. 2 oz gin. 1 oz pomegranate simple syrup (recipe to follow).1 oz lime juice. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig of mint for garnish. 2 lime slices for garnish. muddler. strainer. mug of choice.
start by combining your tea bag and water in your mug. allow the tea to steep for 3 minutes. while your tea steeps, muddle your mint in the bottom of a glass. add the gin, simple syrup and lime juice to the glass and shake or stir well to combine. remove the tea bag from the tea. using your strainer, pour the gin mixture directly into your tea. stir well to combine. garnish with lime slices and mint and serve. 

pomegranate simple syrup
serves: 1 cup liquid
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 20 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup sugar. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1 cup water. 1 small sauce pot.
combine all the ingredients in the sauce pot. bring the liquid to a boil. let the liquid boil until the sugar is dissolved. about 3-5 minutes. remove the pot from the heat and allow to cool to room temp. strain and use or store in the fridge for up to a month.