cucumber mint lemonade . . . a Spring & Summer mocktail

Have you ever sipped on a tall glass of cucumber mint lemonade brimming with sliced cucumbers and lemons . . . and a tall sprig of fresh mint!?

It's so incredibly refreshing and delicious . . . a pretty drink to enjoy Spring through the hot days of Summer.

We hosted a mocktail bar at our oldest son's 21st birthday last month. Since it was my first time hosting one, I researched and researched . . . and then sampled . . . so many mocktail recipes!

There were two party favorites, and this was one of them.

I think what makes these kinds of drinks so fun and unique is that the pitcher and glasses are FULL of fresh and beautiful ingredients . . . making them feel (and look) special!

Although I took a shortcut and used Simply Lemonade as my base (which by the way is an AMAZING all natural lemonade), I added lots of fresh sliced cucumbers and lemons for additional FRESH flavors.

Oh, and I add a secret ingredient . . . LIME slices! The lime cuts through the tart lemon . . . rounding out all the flavors.

And because I add a tall sprig of mint to each glass, its heavenly fresh scent is the first thing you smell when you sip this refreshing mocktail. Ahhhh!

cucumber mint lemonade mocktail

59 ounce carafe of Simply Lemonade

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced

1 large lemon, thinly sliced

1 lime, thinly sliced

2 bunches of mint leaves

Pour Lemonade into a large pitcher.

Place 1 bunch of mint leaves into pitcher, and muddle them with the back of a wooden spoon.

Add half of the cucumber and lemon slices.

Refrigerate for up to an hour before serving.

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Add several cucumber and lemon slices, 1-2 LIME slices, and one sprig of mint to each glass.

Pour cold lemonade over the fruit slices and mint.

ENJOY!

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another refreshind drink . . .

fresh blueberry mint lemonade

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cotton candy shirley temple

Legend has it that the Shirley Temple beverage was created in the late 1930s at Hollywood's Chasen's Restaurant to celebrate the child star's 10th birthday, who often visited the restaurant.  

Since Shirley Temple was too young to drink alcoholic cocktails like the adult movie stars when she attended parties or visited with them, a drink concocted of the original 7-Up (or club soda), grenadine, and a maraschino cherry was created so that she, too, could enjoy parties and celebrations with a special drink.

The Classic Shirley Temple has grown in popularity over the years . . . and ~ to date
~ is the most popular "mocktail" (non-alcoholic beverage) among children and adults alike!

They are just so pretty . . . and taste so delightful. It's hard not to fall in love with it's beautiful pink-ish, red hue amidst a flurry of bubbles. And who doesn't get giddy over the prized treasure found at the bottom of the glass . . . a maraschino cherry!  

As a child, I remember asking sweetly "May I please have a Shirley Temple?" . . . and then offering a big, warm smile when ordering - with hopes that it would win over my waiter/waitress so that he/she might drop an extra cherry in my glass. It worked almost every time (big smile)! 

I think we all might share a similar story (wink)! 

My sweet Charley's 5th birthday is fast-approaching, and I thought it would be fun to serve Shirley Temple's at her party, but with a special twist!

Here's the funny thing . . . There's a restaurant on the east coast called O'Charley's (how ironic is that) who is known for their Cotton Candy Shirley Temples!  

Yes, you read right . . . Cotton Candy Shirley Temples!

What a fun twist on this "mocktail!" 

My Charley LOVES cotton candy and Shirley Temples separately, and to have them together in this edible mash-up... YUM! She is going to squeal in delight when I serve them to her and her friends! 

                             

Allow me to paint you a picture . . .  A glass of lemon-lime soda with a puff of pink cotton candy resting on top of the rim . . . gently push it down with your straw and watch it fizzle and dissolve into the drink. It makes the sweetest, girliest refreshment ever! 

I embellished already adorable paper straws with ribbon, stickers, and rosettes . . . so that after the cotton candy fizzles . . . the girls will still have something pretty to admire while sipping their mocktails. 

~ sweet endings ~

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home 

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