Minted Lime Licuado

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Minted Lime Licuado

Minted Lime Licuado

Yesterday I was flipping through a cookbook when I stumbled upon a beverage recipe for a Minted Lime Licuado. A quick perusal of the ingredient list assured me that this drink was definitely something I was going to want in my belly. Mint, lime, and crushed ice come together to make this iced drink—really, what's not to love? Still, one question remained.

What on earth was a licuado?

Minted Lime Licuado

Thank goodness for the internet and it's infinite source of wisdom (some days I'm really not sure what I'd do without it). After a quick search, I found all I needed to know.

A licuado is a popular Latin-American drink that is slowly forging its way into American culture. Typically made with milk, fresh fruit, and ice, you can think of it like the Latin-American version of a smoothie. However, they are not to be confused with the smoothies we know and love. Licuados are much healthier, have a thinner consistency, and contain much less sugar than the conventional smoothie (who knew?). Licuados can also be made with water instead of milk, which brings me back to this particular licuado.

While definitely not an "authentic" recipe (I'm fairly certain using frozen limeade concentrate is considered blasphemy to the traditional licuado), it makes this drink a snap to make. I think a drink that is this delicious and simple to prepare is something we all can get behind, authentic or not.

Minted Lime Licuado

This Minted Lime Licuado is cool and utterly refreshing. Reminiscent of a mojito without the alcohol, the flavors of the lime and mint blend together beautifully. The crushed ice gives this drink texture and keeps it cool long after you start drinking. This drink would go perfectly with a side of chips and salsa and the next sunny afternoon.

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Strawberry Milk

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Strawberry Milk

Strawberry Milk

I've always had a deep love for milk. As early as I can remember, I viewed milk as a special treat. It didn't matter that it was always in the fridge or that I drank it at every single meal—it was still special. It was almost like getting dessert before the end of dinner.

When I was in my teens, I could go through a quarter of a gallon in a day. Milk was my water. I was, for all intents and purposes, a milk addict. 2% was my drug of choice. It wasn't until I discovered these dreadful little things called calories did I realize that maybe drinking so much milk wasn't doing myself any favors. About the same time, I realized I could eat more cookies if I drank less milk; a trade off I could definitely consent to.

Strawberry Milk

My sister was just the opposite. You couldn't get her to drink a glass of milk even if you threatened her with no dessert. We told her she wouldn't grow up big and strong. We told her she would never grow tall. We told her these things and she still refused; she meant business. My sister was so drastic that she would refuse to have milk with her cookies. Believe it or not, she would dunk her Oreos in water instead (which she still will do, much to the chagrin of those watching).

Even with so much milk in the house, flavored milks weren't a part of my childhood. Occasionally my mother would buy chocolate milk to serve for dessert, but those occasions were few and far between. It wasn't until I was older and buying my own groceries that I noticed them in the stores. I was always tempted to try them, but with so much sugar, preservatives, and the lack of real fruit, I couldn't bring myself to do it. It wasn't until I saw a post from The Kitchn on making your own strawberry milk did it occur to me that I could make my own. The results were definitely worth sharing with you.

Strawberry Milk

This strawberry milk is subtly refreshing. The milk is lightly sweetened (there is just a hint of sugar), but you could add more sugar to adjust to your own tastes. The strawberries stand out in this drink, making it a perfect substitute for the store bought version. Drink this chilled for breakfast or dessert.

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Mexican Hot Cocoa Mix

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Mexican Hot Cocoa Mix

mexican hot cocoa

I've been following American Idol this year. While the show and its contestants certainly have their ups and downs, I can't help but enjoy watching the stars emerge and the trains wreck. Perhaps the worst of it is that after watching an episode, I tend to get a false perception of my own singing ability. For a few (too many) moments, I actually believe that I can sing.

I can't sing.

My singing voice is reminiscent of the sounds of an angry cat. There is screeching, hissing, and a good chance you'll want to cover your ears. Oh, she's just being modest, you're probably thinking. No one is actually that bad. When I was younger, my mother would ask me to stop making "that noise."

I wish I could tell you I'm being modest.

mexican hot cocoamexican hot cocoa

My singing is limited to the car, with the windows up and the radio loud. In the privacy of my metal cage, there is no one to judge me. No one to cringe when I'm out of tune or in the wrong key. No one to wince when I fall flat trying to hit the big notes.

Alone in the car, I am Celine Dion. I am Madonna. I have the voice of Stevie Nicks and the vocals of Freddie Mercury. I can sing the blissful melodies of Ella Fitzgerald and the pop hits of Lady Gaga. My range knows no bounds. In those few short moments, I can sing.

I don't have to sing for you, my family, or my friends. I sing for myself. And that's good enough for me.

mexican hot cocoa

This Mexican Hot Cocoa Mix is smooth, rich, and oh so creamy. The cocoa has deep chocolate tones and the cinnamon gives it just the right amount of spice. Though I made mine with water, you could easily make this with milk but be sure to anticipate a truly creamy drink. Feel free to top it with whipped cream or marshmallows, but this drink doesn't need the toppings to stand out. The cocoa would satisfy even the purist of hot cocoa drinkers. This mix can be stored in your cupboards for months and months to be enjoyed whenever you need your hot cocoa fix.

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