Cherry Peach Sangria Popsicles

Happy weekend. It’s a hot, hot friday here in LA and cooking just doesn’t feel right today.  But, making these Cherry Peach Sangria Popsicles sure does.  After all, there’s no cooking or heating up the kitchen involved, just a quick blitz of the blender and you’re on your way to happy hour any time you want for the rest of the weekend.

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Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca (Agua de Sandía y Menta)

Today is the first official day of summer. And that means it also happens to be my birthday, along with my twin brother’s. Having our birthdays always conincide with the longest day of the year and the kick off to the school’s out/ warm weather season, almost always meant two things- we usually celebrated with some sort of outdoor pool or park party and watermelon was always on the menu. This year will be different in more ways than one, but at least there’s still my favorite fruit. And one of the ways I plan to enjoy it, is with this Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca. The perfectly delicious and refreshing cold beverage for this hot and humid summer solstice.

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Cherry Bourbon Slushie

It’s almost the weekend. And the weather’s heating up and gorgeous red cherries are in season here in Istanbul. And while they are perfect eaten simply as is, by the mouthful, gracefully trying to spit out the pits, I thought I’d make a fun frozen beverage to liven up our socially distant spirits. Let’s face it, this summer isn’t going to look much like past years of poolside gatherings, bbq’s, birthday parties or happy hour cocktails with friends. So any little bits we can add in at home to spark even the slightest bit of out-of-the-ordinary spice, I say go for it.

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Soft Beer Pretzels

You know that smell when you walk by an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels stall in the mall? If you’re anything like me, it’s a pretty hard smell to resist. Buttery baked dough heaven is what I call that smell. Well today, I am going to share with you a recipe to make your own soft pretzels at home, but with a twist (ha get it.). These pretzels are made with beer and are a little more reminiscent of those I remember from our fun beer garden days in New York. (Seems so long ago there was a time we were fun and used to enjoy long, relaxing days with friends at the beer garden.)

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