Refreshing Summer Drinks: Mango Margarita

I've said it before, and I'll say it again-- 

There's not a lot of ill in the world that a mango margarita won't cure.  

On the personal level that is... 

Try this recipe:

Mango Margarita

1 1/4 ounces silver tequila

1-ounce triple sec

1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 ounces simple syrup or sweet-and-sour mix

3/4 cup partially frozen mango, unsweetened (prefer individual quick frozen or fresh)

Directions

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a hurricane-style glass

Refreshing Summer Drinks: Tequila Sunrise

One of my all time favorite drinks is the Tequila Sunrise.  I had no idea until just a few years ago that what I usually drank wasn't in fact the oringinal Tequila Sunrise. Once I knew that, well.. I had to look into it further.

So, I found this recipe and had to try it.  It's different, but just as good! I can't remember where its from as it's scribbled on a note card on the inside of a cook book in my kitchen.

Ingredients

1 1/4 ounces tequila

3/4 ounce creme de cassis

Fresh lime

Club soda

Crushed ice

Directions: 

Fill glass with ice.

Add tequila, creme de cassis, and a squeeze of lime.

Do not stir.

Fill glass with club soda.

Garnish with lime slice.

Refreshing Summer Drinks: Lemon Drop Martini

In Taking the Dare, the fourth Truth or Dare book, Dan Blake's favorite drink is the Lemon Drop. 

 It's perfectly suited to his personality, tart and sweet.

I'm very fond of lemon based recipes -- Lemon Meringue pie, lemon cake, lemon tea...

And this recipe for a Lemon Drop Martini

1 1/2 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce triple sec

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

4 -5 ice cubes

superfine sugar, for the martini glass rim

lemon twist

 Directions:

1. Chill martini glasses in freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to serving.

2. Place Vodka, Triple Sec, lemon juice and sugar into a cocktail shaker with 4-5 ice cubes and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Run the lemon twist around the edge of the chilled martini glass and dunk in a small amount of sugar for a coated rim.

4. Pour the strained martini into the chilled glasses and serve.