When we think of “slushies” we think of bright red or blue drinks that the kids buy at the corner store: cold, colorful and artificially flavored. Boy, have we got a surprise for you! We’ve chosen three delightfully summery beverage recipes for you to sip as you kick back and enjoy your outdoor kitchen, designed by Schrapper’s Fine Cabinetry. Our first one is an adult slushy. Mmmm good!
Summery Bourbon Slushy
This easy breezy drink will put you in staycation mode.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups pineapple juice
- 1 ½ cups ginger ale
- ¾ cups bourbon
- Lemon-lime carbonated soda
Directions:
Combine the pineapple juice, ginger ale and bourbon. Stir together well and freeze until firm. Break apart the frozen mixture and scoop into tall glasses; filling the glass about half way up. Add carbonated soda and stir until slushy.
Makes about 4 ½ cups. You can keep the pineapple mixture in the freezer for several months.
Ginger Lemongrass Piña Colada
Ingredients:
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 3/4 cup peeled and sliced fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup sugar
- Ice
- 2 cups pineapple juice, chilled
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup white rum, chilled
- Pinch kosher salt
- 4 fresh mint sprigs or 4-inch pieces lemongrass, for garnish
Directions:
With the back of a heavy chef’s-knife, bruise the lemongrass stalk to expose the inside fibers and cut it into 1-inch lengths. Combine the lemongrass pieces, ginger, sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook a few minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and steep for 20 minutes.
Strain the syrup into a bowl, discarding the solids. Place the bowl over a larger bowl filled with ice and whisk the syrup until it cools.
Combine the pineapple juice, coconut milk, rum and all of the cooled syrup in a blender and blend; it will make a nice frothy layer on top.
Pour into 4 tumblers with or without ice and garnish with the mint or lemongrass.
Blackberry-Thyme Margarita
Ingredients:
- 16 large fresh blackberries, divided
- 4 small fresh thyme sprigs, divided
- 6 tablespoons 100% blue agave silver tequila
- 1/4 cup Simple Syrup
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Cointreau or other orange liqueur
- 2 cups ice cubes, divided
- 1/4 cup chilled sparkling wine
Directions:
Place 14 blackberries and 2 thyme sprigs in a medium bowl. Muddle until mashed. Mix in tequila, Simple Syrup, limejuice, and Cointreau. Add one cup of ice. Stir to blend well. Strain into a large glass measuring-cup. Mix in sparkling wine. Divide remaining ice between 2 tall glasses. Pour Margarita mixture over. Garnish each with 1 blackberry and 1 thyme sprig.
Whether your drink is bourbon, rum or tequila, mixed with the right summer fruits and poured into a frosty glass is the right way to enjoy your outdoor kitchen.