Shamrock Shake Smoothie
Shaking up St. Patrick’s Day with a healthy version of the iconic vanilla mint treat that only comes in March.
My kids (and I) all are obsessed with the ridiculously chemical loaded McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. This smoothie version doesn’t entirely replace it, but it gives it a good run for sure. Loaded with super healthy ingredients and a lasting minty vanilla flavor, maybe this is what we need?
I have found that frozen chopped spinach blends into smoothies better than fresh, likely because it is pre-cooked before packaging. Feel free to substitute if you only have fresh, or you can also make it without – there are plenty of healthy ingredients around it.
Shamrock Shake Smoothie
A healthy version of the iconic vanilla mint shake
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla coconut milk, unsweetened any milk will work here
- 1/2 avacado
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped frozen spinach optional
- 1 cup ice
- 1-2 Tbsp honey
- pinch kosher salt
- chocolate chips and mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all ingredients (aside from chocolate chips and mint for garnish) and blend on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes, making sure to get rid of all green specs from the spinach. This often takes 2 full minutes.
- Top with fresh mint leaves and chocolate chips, if desired.
Notes
I find that cooked chopped frozen spinach works better in smoothies vs. fresh, as it tends to blend into the base more consistently.
Dark Rum Southsides
Refreshing and light, with fresh squeezed lime juice and Mount Gay – the perfect summer cocktail!
This is a delicious cocktail for summer gatherings on the boat, the beach, or your backyard. Tastes like the islands, but much less sweet than rum punch. The perfect combination of fresh mint and lime juice balances out the bite of the dark rum that gives this drink a golden hue. Easy to make ahead with simple ingredients. Once again, thank you Barefoot Contessa!
Dark Rum Southsides
Refreshing and light with fresh lime juice, this one is the perfect summer cocktail.
Ingredients
- 10-12 large mint leaves
- 1/2 lime, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice 4 limes usually
- 1/2 cup simple syrup recipe below for this
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup Mount Gay Rum, or similar dark rum
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 1 can club soda
Instructions
- To make the cocktails, place the mint leaves and lime slices in a large mason jar, and muddle using the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour the fresh lime juice into the mixture, and let it rest while you make the simple syrup.
- To make the simple syrup, boil 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar until no sugar is visible - cool until ready for use.
- To make the drinks, pour 1/2 cup of the simple syrup (the recipe makes just over that amount, and you won't need it all), the rum, ice and salt into the mason jar, tighten with a lid and shake until well combined. Fill four cocktail glasses (or stemless wine glasses) with ice and pour the mixture evenly between them. Top each drink with club soda as desired, and garnish with a lime slice and mint leaf.
Notes
This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe, using a less concentrated simple syrup.
Aperol Spritz
The Iconic Italian aperitif – summer in a glass!
This drink signals summer to me. Despite the pouring rain and temps in the 40’s here for our Memorial Day weekend, I’m going for this cocktail in celebration of summer, coming, soon… Three ingredients, over ice, tastes like sunshine. Here’s to making your own!
Aperol Spritz
The iconic Italian aperitif; prosecco, aperol, and spash of club soda makes the perfect summer cocktail combination.
Ingredients
- 4 oz Aperol
- 6-8 oz prosecco
- 2 oz club soda (I prefer pellegrino)
- 1 orange, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Fill two glasses 2/3 full of ice cubes. Into each glass, start with the aperol (2 oz), top with prosecco (3-4 oz), and finish with a splash of pellegrino. Garnish with orange slices. I don't stir the cocktail, leaving the bubbles to do the work!
Palomarita
The classic margarita with the simple twist of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice that balances the sweetness and gives a great pink color to this perfect year-round cocktail.
Most cocktails don’t appeal to me, either because they are too sweet, or too strong. However, I have a handful of favorites, and this is top of the list. The perfect combination of the margarita and the Paloma – a little bit of both, balancing the classic with the refreshing addition of grapefruit juice. Only real fresh squeezed juice here – it’s worth the effort. It’s also one festive drink that truly works year round. The grapefruit juice addition makes me feel it’s winter appropriate, and clearly we eat Mexican food all the time, so we must have this to go along! Cheers!
Palomarita
The classic margarita with fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is the perfect combination with a tart bite and all the elements of the original we all love.
Ingredients
- 4 oz white tequila
- 2 oz cointreau
- 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- splash of club soda
- lime wedges, ice, and salt for the rim if desired
Instructions
- Prepare the glasses. If you want a salted rim, rub a cut lime on the edge of the glass, and dip into a small plate with kosher salt. For a spicy twist, add some chili powder to the salt on the plate. Pour ice into the glasses after salted.
- Fill a lidded container (I use a large mason jar) with the tequila, cointreau, lime and grapefruit juices, and a handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then pour into two prepared cocktail glasses.
- Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime wedges and a dusting of chili powder if desired.