Mixed Drinks Monday: Raspberry Mojito & Peach Lemonade

I feel pretty accomplished when I make two new drinks in a weekend, especially when we are at the lake because it always takes a little more work there, with packing all the ingredients and equipment.  These two were winners too.  In fact, I had one of them twice this weekend.  Always a good sign.

Raspberry Mojito
The only mojito I've had previously was in Mexico on our second cruise.  It wasn't even a full mojito, just a taste of Matt's.  Matt's generally more of a beer drinker than mixed drinks but for some reason on this stop he got a mojito (I had only heard of them on the first season of the great tv show, The OC).  So he got a mojito and I tasted it.  It was good.

I, somehow, through our waiter not speaking English and us not speaking Spanish, ended up with 2 margaritas instead one 1.  But when in Mexico do as the Mexicans...also...vacation (which generally equals more daytime drinking than regular life, at least before Luke*). 

I don't think I've ever had a bad frozen margarita besides the one I made myself.   ANYWAYS, before this weekend the only mojito taste I've ever had was in Mexico, trying Matt's drink.  This one came up though because I have plenty of mint growing in the garden and raspberries were on sale at Kroger.  The only part I didn't like was the mint leaves mixing with the raspberries at the end.  I wanted to eat the raspberries but not the mint leaves.  Maybe a straw would help this?  It didn't bother me too much though because I tried one Friday and then made another on Saturday.

Ingredients:
yield: 1 drink

6-8 mint leaves (I'd go on the lower side)
7-8 raspberries (higher side)
1 tsp sugar
2 ounces rum (I used coconut because it's what I had)
juice of 1 lime or about 1/8 cup of the bottled stuff
sparkling water (I used key lime flavor because it's what Aldi had)
ice

Directions:
Muddle the mint leaves, raspberries, and sugar in the bottle of a glass.  Fill the glass 1/2-3/4 full of ice.  Add the rum and lime juice, topping off with sparkling water.  Stir to combine.  Garnish with raspberries and mint leaves if you feel fancy.

The taste was good, about the perfect ratio of raspberries, mint, and lime.  I liked the bit of coconut flavor too.  It was easy to mix up with pretty staple ingredients besides the raspberries.  If you need mint leaves to try it, I have plenty!  Definitely in my top 5 of new alcoholic beverages I've tried this summer.

Peach Lemonade
My husband really likes canned peaches (not fresh), peach flavored things, and lemonade.  I picked this drink for those reasons.  Plus lemonade = summer.  Also, the base was easy to mix up at home and finish at the lake which I appreciated. 

I use this same cup at the lake every single time. 

Ingredients:
yield: 2 generous drinks
2 cups water
1 cup cut peaches (approx. 2 peaches)
a shy 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice (by now you should know I use the bottled stuff)
1/4 cup additional water (separated)
ice

Directions:
1) In a saucepan combine the peaches, sugar, and 2 cups of water over medium-high heat.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.  Let cool.
2) Pour the mixture into a blender (the original direction said to take out the middle part of the blender lid and cover that with a towel.  I'm guessing because it's still warm? I did it but not what would have happened if I didn't.)  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight.
3) When ready to serve, add the lemon juice and additional water.  Serve over ice.  Garnish with a peach slice if you feel fancy (I did for once!). 

I've recently decided I need a wood picnic table at home, if for nothing else but picture taking.

This had pretty good flavor but the peach definitely stood out over the lemon.  Maybe because I use bottled juice?  It was fine but I was expecting more of a lemonade taste. Luke absolutely loved it, drinking at least half of Matt's and some of mine.  Maybe because he generally only drinks milk & water so anything else is a huge treat.

Probably the best part of this drink was sharing it with Matt and Luke, on the swing, at the lake, on a wonderful summer day.  The experience made the drink.  It was a happy spot in a busy weekend. 

Raspberry Mojito  Peach Lemonade


*I mean more vacation daytime drinking happened more before Luke than after.  Not that we daytime drink regularly now with Luke.  Or just interpret as you will, these posts is already making me sound like all I do is drink.

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In the summer I aim to make a new drink every week and share them all here, good or bad!  See them all in chronological order by following the "Mixed Drink Monday" tag here or check out my favorites by scrolling down to "Mixed Drink Monday" on my recipes page!