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Simply Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail

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Grab some cherries, vodka and sparkling water and let’s make your new favorite vodka cocktail! Ready in just a few minutes, you will be sipping and relaxing poolside in no time.

Sparkling cherry vodka cocktail in a glass with fresh cherries, lemon slices, and mint.

Simply Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail

Summertime and the living’s easy…and the cocktails are light and refreshing. Summers are made for fun in the sun, a little relaxing, and enjoying a good cocktail. You all know I love a good glass of wine, and while I love an ice cold Rose or Sauvignon Blanc on a hot day, sometimes a cool cocktail just sounds ultra refreshing. That’s why I have been making more cocktails lately. I’ve been experimenting with fun and fruity cocktails, like my refreshing Watermelon Vodka Cocktail. And with our upcoming road trip to the Cherry Capitol (Traverse City, MI) for our annual camping trip, I was inspired by my love of cherries…and cocktails 😉

Refreshing summer cherry vodka cocktail served poolside.

For my Simply Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail you will need:

Sparkling water – I enjoy the lime or lemon variety, but feel free to experiment
Cherries – I recommend fresh or frozen (not jarred)
Vodka
Fresh Mint
Lemon

You may actually have all the ingredients for this simple vodka right now! I mean, cherries are in season, so now is the perfect time to have some in your refrigerator, go ahead and look…I’ll be here when you get back 😉

Easy Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail with fresh mint, served poolside in the summer.

Want to switch it up a little? Maybe you are feeling fancy? Here are some tips!

Experiment with Flavors

Feel free to switch up the flavors by trying different types of sparkling water or adding a splash of fruit juice. Pineapple or cranberry juice can add a unique twist.

Garnish Ideas

Garnish with a skewer of mixed berries or a twist of lemon peel for a fancier presentation. Adding a sprig of rosemary or thyme can also enhance the aroma and taste.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this cocktail with light appetizers like a charcuterie board or a simple bruschetta to complement the refreshing flavors. Personally, I recommend pairing it with friends by the pool!

Sparkling Cherry Lemonade Cocktail with ice and fresh mint.

Alright, let’s make your cocktail so you can get back to dipping your toes in the pool or relaxing in the sun. Vitamin D (and Vitamin Sea) are good for us.

Best Cherry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail served in a glass filled with ice, enjoyed poolside.

What type of cherries should you use?

Any you have on hand!  I personally enjoy tart cherries, but using your favorite cherry to lead to this being your favorite cherry vodka cocktail.

Can you substitute cherries for another fruit?

Sure can!  Feel free to get creative if you would like.  Peaches, blackberries, watermelon (like in my Fresh Watermelon and Vodka Cocktail) and raspberries would all be delicious too. Of course, it would no longer be a Cherry Cocktail 😉

Can you use something other than sparkling water?

Of course!  I usually grab for sparkling water because it’s less calories (and zero WW points) but if you don’t like sparkling water, give tonic water or a lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up) a try.

What does “muddle” mean?

Using a spoon or fork, gently squish the fruit, just enough for some of the natural juices to start releasing.

Cherry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Vodka Cocktail

  • Ready in just 5 minutes
  • Made with fresh seasonal cherries – you can also use jarred if needed
  • Light, refreshing, and low in calories
  • Easy to customize with your favorite flavors

Here’s how to make my Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail, be sure to print it and pin it so that you can make it again and again. And don’t forget to serve ’em to your friends!

Sparkling Cherry Lemonade Cocktail
Print Recipe

Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail

This refreshing cherry cocktail is perfect for poolside relaxing or spening time with friends. Easy to make and low in calories, this vodka cocktail is a must try.
Prep Time2 minutes
Course: Cocktail
Keyword: cherries, cocktails, summer, vodka
Servings: 1
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • ice
  • 3-4 fresh or frozen cherries washed
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz sparkling water I prefer the lime or lemon variety in this cocktail
  • 1-2 lemon slices
  • Fresh Mint

Instructions

  • In a glass of choice add ice and vodka.
  • Gently muddle cherries in a small bowl.
  • Add cherries to glass.
  • Pour in sparkling water.
  • Squeeze in juice of one lemon slice.
  • Gently rub the fresh mint in your hands (this will release the natural oils and give you that fresh flavor in your cocktail) and add to your glass.
  • Gently stir if desired.
  • Garnish with slice of lemon if desired.
  • Enjoy! Responsibily.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

I hope you enjoy this Simply Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail as much as I do!

How To Make a Sparkling Cherry Vodka Cocktail

What is one of your favorite summer cocktails?

Be sure to try my famous (and yes, I mean famous!) Call Me A Cab Lemonade Wine Cocktail if you are looking for another incredible vodka cocktail to add to your summer gatherings.

And while you are at it, check out all the cocktail recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow on me Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more FOOD WINE AND SUNSHINE.

Pairing Wines With BBQs + Summer Strawberry Sangria Recipe

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Summer is made for BBQs, wine, and spending time outside! Fire up the grill and check out how this guide on pairing wines with BBQs. And grab an incredible Strawberry Sangria recipe that you can enjoy all summer long.
Pairing Wines With BBQs

Pairing Wines With BBQs + Summer Strawberry Sangria Recipe

The weather is heating up as summer is here that means it’s time for summer parties, entertaining more outdoors, and enjoying more outdoor activities. It also means that it’s time to heat up the grill, bbq on your favorite meat, and enjoy a nice glass of wine or a summer cocktail.

Summer meals are lighter, and this is the same for summer wines. Whether choosing a red or white wine, look for a lighter-bodied wine. This is especially true when choosing red wines for your grilling parties. Lighter wines are fruitier and lower acidic flavor, giving a lighter feel on the tongue with a refreshing zippy finish. During the summer months, choose wines that express thoughts of refreshing and sip ability. Choose the type of wine that is wonderful for sipping on those hot summer days.

One wine that is left out during the summer months is Sparkling wines. Many Sparkling wines are great for summer meals for their natural acidity and refreshing bubbles. Sparkling wines work great with meals involving seafood. You don’t have to wait for a special celebration to enjoy Sparkling wines!

How to pair wine with bbq

When choosing wines to go with the grilled foods of summer, veer away from the heavy complex and oaky wines such as Syrahs, Cabernets, and Burgundy. Try lighter wines such as a Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, or Rose. If you really want a red wine, Zinfandels pair beautifully with BBQed food.  For a good finish on these hot summer days, you can even look to a Muscat grape wine such as Moscato.

Grilling red meat on the grill, a good red wine to pair is a Zinfandel or a Merlot. A Pinotage or Pinot Noir is a good choice for the more fruit-forward lover or when there are several types of meat being served, and red wine is a must. A Chardonnay or Spanish Albarino goes beautifully with chicken or grilled fish.

Pairing Wines With Summer Barbeques

Other grill friendly wines include Riesling that goes well with brats, shrimp, and a variety of grilled fruits and vegetables. Sauvignon Blanc has a quality that can handle marinades and sauces that are herbaceous. Another choice that offers a balance to spicy foods, but has a gentle sweetness is the Gewurztraminers. These wines varietals are a great choice for blackened or Cajun-spiced chicken or fish.

Starting the summer party off with chips and dips doesn’t mean a wine can’t be served.There are plenty of wines that go amazingly well with the salty, greasiness of chips, and even popcorn. A dry Riesling will also go well with the start of a summer grilling party. Bring on the chips and dips; even nachos can go well with these wines, especially if spicy.

Making casseroles for the summer get together can be a little trickier when choosing a wine, but not impossible. Consider the dominant flavor of the casserole when picking out a wine. A beef-based casserole goes well with a Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, or Grenache. Creamy chicken dishes can be served with a Rose or Pinot Grigio, or the tried and true Chardonnay.

Pairing Wines with BBQ salads Summer Cucumber Salad

Salads, due in part to the dressings being vinegar-based or an oil vinegar combination of heavier dressings, make wine choices a challenge. As a general rule choosing a Sauvignon Blanc or a Rose wine are safe bets for the majority of favorite salads. A Pinot Grigio can be a good rescue wine for salads, especially those with heavy proteins such as eggs, ham, or bacon. Fruit salads go great with a Sparkling wine or a sweeter, not dry Riesling.

Strawberry Sangria for Summer BBQs

Want to have a refreshing pitcher available for the guests to sip that is not the standard margarita or beer, Sangrias can’t be beaten. Sangrias are a refreshing change that goes well with any food that is part of the grilling menu. Besides extending the wine being served, Sangria is just a fun drink.

How To Make Strawberry Sangria

So, now that you have your suggested wine pairing for your summer grilling, I thought I would share an easy sangria recipe that will definitely be a hit at your next outdoor party.

Pairing Sangria with your summer BBQs

This is a Strawberry Sangria recipe, but feel free to add in extra fruits if you would like. As you can see I added in some raspberries and blueberries.

For my Strawberry Sangria you will need:

Red wine – I used CK Mondavi and Family Merlot, but any red wine you have on hand will do.
Strawberries
Brandy
Blue Curacao

Serving Sangria at summer BBQs

Easy enough, right?! Depending on how many people you have coming over to enjoy your summer BBQ, you may want to double my strawberry sangria recipe. This recipe is good for 4 glasses, and I promise you, your guests (and you!) will be asking for a 2nd glass.

Now, here is my Strawberry Sangria recipe, be sure to print it and pin it so that you can enjoy it all summer long. And next summer. And the next summer 😉

Strawberry Sangria
Print Recipe

Strawberry Sangria

This easy sangria recipe is the perfect addition to your summer BBQ menus. Made with only a few ingredients you and your guests will love this strawberry sangria.
Prep Time5 minutes
Chill Time1 hour
Course: Cocktail
Keyword: alcohol, red wine, wine, wine cocktail
Servings: 4
Calories: 230kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of red wine I used CK Monadvi and Family Merlot, a Rioja is often used, but any red wine will do
  • 1 pint strawberries fresh or frozen - frozen can double as ice cubes
  • 2 oz brandy
  • 4 oz Blue Curacao

Instructions

  • In a large pitcher mix together the red wine, strawberries, brandy, and blue Curacao until well mixed.
  • Refrigerate at least one hour or ideally overnight.
  • Serve the next day from a large pitcher filled with ice.
  • Add sliced oranges for extra zing if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 70mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Summer grilling times is a great chance to kick back and relax. Experiment and try wines that you haven’t tried before. Wine choices do not have to be expensive, as many wines perfect for the summer grilling parties are often around $10.00 – $15.00. Grilling and barbecues are a big part of enjoying summer. Don’t forget the wine. Or the sangria.

And if you are headed out on a picnic, check out the best wines to bring with you on a picnic.

How to make Strawberry Sangria

What is one of your favorite summer wines? Do you like sangria?

How To Pair Wine with Summer BBQ

What is one of your tips for pairing wines with BBQs?

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more wine tips, cocktails, healthy recipes, and fun things to do.

An Introduction To Colorado Wine

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Does Colorado make wine? Yes! Learn about Colorado Wine and some of the breathtaking wineries to visit in Colorado.

Is Colorado good for Wine

An Introduction To Colorado Wine

My family and I are planning a trip to Colorado, our first time ever visiting! My parents went to Colorado for their honeymoon and then again for their 45th wedding anniversary. Both times, they stayed at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and that is where we will be staying! We are beyond excited! Of course, while researching fun things to do in Colorado Springs like ride the Cog Railway, go on an ATV tour and go white water rafting, I also had to research a bit about Colorado wine 😉 Would you expect anything else from me??

Colorado Vineyards

Is Fine Wine Really Possible in the Rocky Mountain state?

Wine is produced in all 50 of the United States. While we may be more familiar with wine from California or even Michigan, wine does indeed come from Colorado too. Sometimes from fruit purchased elsewhere for producing wine, as in the case of Alaska. But every state seems to want to be a part of the wine revolution that is still unfolding in America. Some states have only a handful of wineries that struggle to produce palatable wine under unlikely growing conditions. Other states are enjoying a burgeoning explosion of wineries that have found a way to make acceptable, even fine, wine under less than ideal conditions.

Colorado’s High Altitude Vineyards

In contrast to California’s high altitude vintners’ choice of elevated locations in places like the Sierra Foothills and the mountains that surround Napa Valley, Colorado vintners —there were 100 wineries in that state at last count—have little choice of vineyard locations. Almost all Colorado vineyards lie in river valleys at the state’s lowest elevations. That puts them at least at 4,500 feet! The world’s highest winegrape vineyard is located here at an elevation exceeding 6,000 ft. Vineyards experience a growing season of around 150 frost-free days, high winds, and baseball-sized hail. But on the plus side, low humidity and a dry climate that minimizes disease.

Colorado’s Unique Soils

Colorado’s vineyard soils are mostly sedimentary alluvial sandy loam and mesa clay, often derived from the red Permian outcroppings that rise above the Colorado River and the broken granitic and volcanic soils of the Gunnison River valley. These soils, combined with the effects of altitude, lead to lean, minerally, herbaceous wines that tend to lack the tropical, floral and ripe fruit character of America’s west coast regions.

Does Colorado make Wine

Colorado’s Winegrowing History

Many U.S. states claim a history of winemaking going back into the nineteenth century, only to be entirely dismantled by Prohibition in the 1920s. This is particularly true of states that didn’t enjoy the rich early history of California or Missouri. Winemaking in Colorado commenced in 1883 in Grand Junction, disappeared four years before national Prohibition, and didn’t resume on a meaningful level until 1978. The industry is just now beginning to explore its potential. All Colorado wineries are small, and most depend upon Internet sales and restaurant sales since most lie largely away from urban centers. Few have public tasting rooms.

Colorado winemakers have built upon the techniques and knowledge established in California, reducing the incidence of failure. But without the strong financial backing that Napa Valley wineries enjoy, the Colorado wine industry is just beginning to emerge from its infancy. Many Colorado wines fail to rise above the level of curiosities.

Learn about Colorado Wine

Here are three Colorado wineries from Grand Valley and West Elks:

Jack Rabbit Hill Colorado

Made from fruit grown at the Cox Family Vineyard in Palisade, just east of Grand Junction, this Sauvignon Blanc sports an herbaceousness and slightly organic nose, unlike the classic styles of Sauvignon. Very light and bone dry on the palate with some lingering tannins in the finish. Core flavors are unmistakably Sauvignon due to a straightforward stainless steel vinification, but this wine lacks the broader, more complex flavor profile found in other regions worldwide.

Jack Rabbit Hill Farms is located at 26567 North Road Hotchkiss, CO 81419.

Sutcliffe Vineyards Colorado

Sutcliffe Vineyards is located in southwest Colorado, not far from the Four Corners region. Since it experiences a very short growing season, its wines tend towards leanness and low alcohol. Sutcliffe’s Cinsault is a deep strawberry color with clean aromas of unripe cherries and Santa Rosa plums. Very light and refreshing on the palate with lingering fruit flavors on the finish. A perfect picnic wine. Serve with a light chill.

Sutcliffe Vineyards is located at 12174 Road G Cortez, CO 81321.

Stone Cottage Cellars Colorado

Stone Cottage Cellars in West Elks—Colorado’s newest AVA — is noted for producing some of Colorado’s finest white wines from German and Alsatian varieties. West Elks vineyards, near the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, are the nation’s highest, with elevations exceeding 6,000 feet. Stone Cottage’s Syrah exhibits a meaty, gamey nose typical of the variety. Deeply colored but not opaque, its aromatic profile includes rich, ripe plum. Delicious and mouth-filling fruit flavors with a suggestion of nail polish both in the nose and flavor. An unusual Syrah that is distinct from the plusher examples of Australia, Washington State, and California.

Stone Cottage Cellars is located at 41716 Reds Road Paonia, CO 81428.

Colorado Wineries

Have you have had Colorado wine? Have you been to one of these wineries in Colorado?

Learn about Colorado Wines

Be sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more travel tips, healthy recipes, and more.

20 Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips For Summer

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Looking to spend some time outdoors entertaining this summer? Here are 20 Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips For Summer, make dining and entertaining outdoors simply a success!

Best Outdoor Entertaining Tips

20 Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips For Summer

As the weather warms up, we automatically like to spend more time outside. Spending time outside in the summer is a great way to enjoy your outdoor living space.  Entertaining and dining outside in the summer is a wonderful way to spend time with friends, get some fresh air, and keep the inside of the house clean.

To create the perfect atmosphere for your outdoor dining space without spending a fortune, it takes a little organization and some dedicated time to do some creative thinking.

Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips

Here are a few simple ideas to inspire your outdoor entertaining and dining this summer:

  1. For more informal dining and additional dining space, place an old door (or similar sized piece of lumber) on top of four empty paint cans (half fill with sand for stability) and cover with a tablecloth or bed sheet. Surround with plenty of cushions for guests to lounge on.
  2. If you are lucky enough to have a swing seat with an awning, add a pile of cushions for guests to enjoy after eating.
  3. Set aside a table for preparing refreshments to avoid cluttering the dining space.
  4. Mark drinking straws with paper flags to help guests identify their glass. Be sure to have a couple cocktail recipes ready to make.
  5. Keep bugs out of party drinks by covering each class with a cupcake cover.
  6. Have a list of games for guests to enjoy, such as pin the tail on the donkey, hula-hooping, croquet, corn hole and badminton.
  7. Create a children’s corner with crayons, paper, scissors, and glue. Get an older sibling to supervise.
  8. Decorate the backyard, porch, or patio with floral garlands or paper bunting.
  9. Fill buckets with herbs such as lavender to line the path to the patio or porch for a sweetly scented walk.
  10. Add a touch of glamour to a porch ceiling by hanging a chandelier made by bending wire into shape and decorating it with fairy lights and glossy, fresh ivy.
  11. Bouquets of small flowers such as pansies look particularly sweet, displayed in simple, plain drink glasses.
  12. Mixed glassware and accessories add a relaxed feel to the festivities.
  13. Covered lanterns between each place setting provide atmospheric table lighting for the evening.
  14. A weathered laundry tub filled with ice is an ideal wine chiller.
  15. Shelter guests from the heat of the day with a pretty canopy made of a bedsheet and four sturdy poles.
  16. Tea lights in assorted glass jars are perfect for outside spaces when the light begins to fade.
  17. Fill a little-used soup tureen with garden flowers for an impressive centerpiece.
  18. Jam jars or old sundae glasses filled with appetizers make a rustic table display.
  19. Details such as tea towels with interesting prints such as a lobster or favorite vegetable or fruit, help add a little French chic.
  20. A cleverly folded napkin can hold cutlery and a decorative sprig of rosemary for a smart country table setting.

Being organized and getting things done ahead of time will allow both the hosts and guests to enjoy a wonderful al fresco evening. If you are interested in planning a summer party where friends and family will be spending the day, be sure to grab this Summer Party Essentials Printable to help you with the planning!

And if you are planning to enjoy the outdoors with a picnic, be sure to check out these affordable picnic wines.

Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips For Summer

What is one your favorite Simple Outdoor Entertaining Tips For Summer?  Do you like dining outside in the summer?

Be sure to follow Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more tips, delicious recipes and more!

Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

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An easy peach dessert recipe with a thyme-infused red wine sauce, this luxurious but easy dessert is the perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. Prepped in just minutes and ready in less than 30 minutes, you and your family will love this tasty peach dessert.

Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

Two of my favorite things. Peaches and red wine. Sprinkle in some sugar and some thyme and I mean really, how could it be anything but magical? Well, I guess you could serve this Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce on top of ice cream….Yes, that would make it extra magical. And that’s exactly what I did.

Easy Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

Don’t get me wrong, I ate a whole oven roasted peach on it’s own before indulging in my ice cream treat, and it was incredible by itself. But, come on, ice cream makes every better.

This is definitely another amazing peach recipe to try this peach season.

Tasty Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

This rich red wine and thyme sauce make this peach recipe the perfect easy dessert. This easy dessert recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and it is a good way to use up hard or overripe peaches. Or it’s great to make just when you want a delicious peach dessert. It’s also beautiful, so if you are looking for a dessert to impress friends and family, this Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce dessert definitely fits the bill.

Best Oven Roasted Peaches with Red Wine Sauce

To ensure that they are not overripe when they arrive, peaches are often picked a tad unripe and, as a result, are usually still a little hard by the time they reach supermarket shelves. It is possible to ripen the peaches before eating by covering them with a breathable cloth (muslin or cotton) and placing them in a cool, dark spot for a couple of days.

Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert

This peach recipe is the perfect solution to using peaches that may not have been ripe, are overripe, or are just perfect. Hard peaches become soft and juicy in the oven, while overripe peaches that may have been forgotten at on the bottom of the fruit bowl and are just too soft to eat on their own release their juices. These peaches blend with the woody thyme and red wine, which reduces to a thick, sticky sauce.

How To Make Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert

To make this Peach Dessert with Thyme and Red Wine you will need these ingredients:

Peaches – I recommend Florida peaches, of course
Sugar
Sprigs of thyme
Red wine – I used CK Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
Small amount of unsalted butter

Just 5 simple ingredients! How easy is that? And this easy peach dessert recipe only takes a few minutes to prep.

Easy Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert

Simply butter the pan, sprinkle with sugar, add in the thyme and top with the peach halves.

Tasty Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert

Then pour on the red wine. Then, take a step back and look at how beautiful it is! I just love the contrast of color with the red wine and peaches! BEAUTIFUL!

That sugar and red wine reduce to an absolutely incredible sweet red wine reduction that pairs perfectly with the peaches.

Baked Peaches with Red Wine Dessert Sauce

Now, here is my Oven Roasted Peaches with Thyme-Infused Red Wine Sauce Dessert recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert
Print Recipe

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: dessert, dessert recipe, desserts, peaches, red wine, wine
Servings: 4
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 4 peaches
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 5 sprigs of thyme
  • ½ cup red wine
  • Small amount of butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°
  • Wash the peaches and cut a circle around the peach stone with a sharp knife. Twist each half of the peach in opposite directions to separate. Carefully remove the pit, which will remain in one half of each peach, with the point of a knife or – if the peach is ripe enough - scoop it out with a spoon.
  • Grease the base of an oven dish with butter.
  • Sprinkle the sugar over the butter and lay the sprigs of thyme on top of the sugar.
    Making Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert
  • Put each peach half, cut side down, on the thyme, and drizzle with the red wine over the peaches.
    Making Oven Roasted Peaches Red Wine Dessert
  • Place the dish in the oven and cook the peaches for 10-15 minutes. They are ready when the fruit is soft, and the skin starts to wrinkle. It may take longer if your peaches aren't quite ripe yet.
  • Remove from the oven and discard the thyme.
  • Leave the peaches to cool for a few minutes. You can peel off the skin if desired, I did not. I love peach skin! If you would like to peel it off, you should be able to do this easily with your fingers. Cut the peaches in half or quarters if desired.
  • Prepare four bowls with vanilla ice cream, top with peaches, spoon over the wine sauce. *Ice cream is not required! These peaches are amazing all on their own! But, who doesn't love a little ice cream?!
  • Enjoy!

Notes

I cut my peach halves in half again, making the pieces smaller. I also put a piece or two on the bottom of the mason jar when serving so that we made peachy deliciousness down to the very last bite.
The red wine sauce will continue to thicken a little after you pull it out of the oven, so if it doesn't look thick enough right away, let it cool for a minute or two.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 331mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 549IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Best Baked Peaches with Red Wine Dessert Sauce

I hope you enjoy this Oven Roasted Peaches with Thyme-Infused Red Wine Sauce Dessert as much as we do!

Tasty Baked Peaches with Red Wine Dessert Sauce

Can you use another red wine instead of the Cabernet Sauvignon?

Yes! I liked using the Cabernet Sauvignon because it is a bolder red wine. A Zinfandel would also be good. But really, you can use what you have at the house. Be sure to save yourself a glass, because that wine will be the perfectly pairing with these dessert.

Can you use white wine instead of red wine?

Yes! This easy dessert calls for red wine but can also be made with white wine. You just won’t get that rich color from the red wine. I would recommend not using a sweet white wine, since you will get a sweetness from the sugar and peaches. I would recommend a Chardonnay, but use what you have and let me know how it turns out!

Can you use a fruit other than peaches in this dessert?

Sure! Peaches can be replaced with smooth nectarines if peaches aren’t in season.

Easy Baked Peaches with Red Wine Dessert Sauce

As you can see, we all enjoyed this delicious peach red wine dessert 🙂

What is one of your favorite peach dessert recipes?

You can follow Florida Peaches on Facebook and Instagram for more sweet treats and recipes. Fresh From Florida also has some amazing Florida Peach recipes. Be sure to pick up some Florida peaches the next time you are at your favorite grocer. If you don’t see them at your local store, be sure to ask the produce manager when they expect their next shipment. Florida peaches are available now through mid-June, so don’t delay grabbing some.

Oven Roasted Peaches Thyme-Infused Red Wine Sauce

Be sure follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes, wine tastings, and travel tips.

 

BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas

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This Easy BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadilla Recipe is the perfect family meal idea. This trend went viral on TikTok for a reason! Grab this easy stacked quesadilla recipe and enjoy. While this post is sponsored by Shuman Farms RealSweet Onions, all opinions and the recipe are my own.

Easy BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Tortilla Quesadillas

BBQ Cheeseburger TikTok Folded Tortilla Quesadilla

Have you seen the quesadilla trend on TikTok? Okay, even if you aren’t on TikTok, you have probably seen the fun (and easy) way to make folded quesadillas. My mom even texted me a video that she saw on TV! And if you haven’t seen this easy way to level up your quesadilla game, then you are in for a real treat.

BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Tortilla Quesadillas

I am all about easy dinner ideas, and one that the whole family loves is a bonus. Add in that these folded tortilla quesadillas that went viral on TikTok are actually really fun to make, you got yourself a family dinner idea that you will find yourself making again and again. I have already made them 3xs myself!

Best BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas

One of our favorite meals are cheeseburgers, but I rarely make them at home. I’m not sure why exactly, I just don’t. Plus, the restaurant up the street makes a killer BBQ Cheeseburger, so when we want a really good burger, we usually head there and buy one. They load their burger with caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, and cheese. SO GOOD.

Tasty BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas

So, once I decided I was going to make a beef folded tortillas quesadilla recipe, I knew exactly what toppings I was to make it with.

Plus, this BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadilla is way easier to make than a burger…in my opinion.

Loaded with ground beef, cheese, caramelized onions and peach bourbon BBQ sauce, these stacked foldover quesadillas are super quick and easy to make, making them perfect for an easy weeknight meal or lunch.

Easy BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas

These are the ingredients you will need to make my BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas:

Caramelized onions really add an extra layer of flavor to these quesadillas. Then when they are combined with the BBQ sauce, that layer of smokiness is absolutely heavenly. Caramelized onions are magically delicious all on their own, but when added to your favorite dish, like these cheeseburger quesadillas…man oh man are they incredible!

BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas

Here is a step by step video on how to make my amazing BBQ Cheeseburger Quesadillas:

 

Here are step by step photos on how to make my version of Tik Tok’s Viral Folded Tortillas:

Making BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas

Step 1: Cut a slice in the tortilla. Only one cut, and only half way through.

Making BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Tortilla Quesadillas

Step 2: Add approximately 2 tablespoons on the cooked ground beef to one quarter of the tortilla. The part of the tortilla that has the slice above it.

Making BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Tortilla Wraps

Step 3: Add shredded cheese to the next “quarter” of the tortilla.

Making BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Wraps

Step 4: Add the caramelized RealSweet Onions to the next quarter of the tortilla. Not sure how to caramelize onions at home, grab this easy recipe.

How to make BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Wraps

Step 5: Add the BBQ sauce to the last quarter of the tortilla. I used approximately one tablespoon.

How to make Folded Tortilla Wraps

Step 6: Fold the BBQ sauce section on top of the caramelized onions.

Step by Step TikTok Tortilla Wrap Instructions

Step 7: Fold the BBQ sauce and onion section over the shredded cheese section.

TikTok Tortilla Wrap Instructions

Step 8: Continue to fold the sections, so that the BBQ sauce, onion, cheese sections fold onto the beef section.

Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions

Step 9: Heat in skillet to warm throughout and melt the cheese. You can also bake them, but cooking your folded quesadillas in a skillet will brown them nicely and they will cook a little faster. If you bake them, I recommend 350 degrees for approximately 10 minutes, you want the cheese melted and the tortilla a little crispy.

Be sure to see the printable recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

Easy BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas

Can you make these stacked beef quesadillas ahead of time?

Yes! As I mentioned, I have made them a few times already. The second time I made them, I prepped them in the morning and put them in the refrigerator until dinner. Then just cooked them as stated below.

If you have leftovers you can keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. Reheat them in the oven/toaster oven or a skillet.

Can you meal prep these folded tortilla quesadillas?

Sure can! If you want to freeze them, I recommend wrapping each one in press n seal to avoid any freezer burn, then putting then in a freezer bag. When you are ready to make them, allow them to thaw in the fridge and warm in oven/toaster oven or skillet.

Can you use something other than beef?

Of course! You can easily substitute ground turkey, chicken or pork if you prefer. You can also use leftover shredded rotisserie chicken. If you prefer to leave out the meat, you can use plant-based meat crumbles and them vegetarian.

Can you use something other than caramelized onions?

I strongly recommend using the caramelized onions, but if you don’t have the time to make them, I understand. I have made this exact recipe with pickled onions and I loved it! Want to use just sliced RealSweet Onions, you can!

What do you serve these folded tortillas with?

Homemade onion rings or french fries are always a good option when having a BBQ Cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions. I served mine with roasted vegetables. My kids love roasted brussel sprouts and I had a butternut squash that was calling my name.

Tips for making stacked beef quesadillas:

  • Don’t use the snack size tortillas. They will be too small once you fold them! I used the fajita size, but the burrito size will also work.
  • Don’t forget the cheese. It helps hold the layers together.
  • Don’t overload the fillings, they will spill out when you fold the sections.
  • Do make the sauce the first section you fold, if you fold the meat or cheese first, it will fall out.
  • Do have fun and get creative!

Now, here is my BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadilla recipe. Be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas
Print Recipe

BBQ Cheeseburger Foldover Quesadilla (Viral Tik Tok Recipe)

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Course: Dinner, Easy Weeknight Meal or Lunch, Lunch, Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keyword: burger, cheese, ground beef recipes, onions, quesadillas
Servings: 8 quesadillas
Calories: 180kcal
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stove

Ingredients

  • 8 large flour tortillas I used low carb tortillas
  • 1 lb cooked ground beef I used lean ground beef. Season to your liking, I added red pepper flakes.
  • 1 cup Caramelized RealSweet Vidalia Onions recipe here
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce I used Bourbon Peach BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Lay tortilla flat. Cut to the center of the tortilla.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Add the cooked ground beef to the quarter directly below the cut.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Add the cheese to the next quarter.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Next add the caramelized onions to the quarter above the cheese.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • In the final quarter, add the BBQ sauce.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Now, start folding the sections. First fold the BBQ sauce section over the caramelized onions.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Fold that section over the cheese quarter.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Finally, fold the stacked portion over the beef section.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Repeat these steps with all the tortillas.
  • Add olive oil or butter to a skillet.
  • Warm the skillet over medium heat.
  • Cook the folded quesadillas approx 3 minutes per side to brown the tortilla and make it crispy, and melt the cheese.
    Tik Tok Tortilla Wrap Instructions
  • Enjoy!

Notes

I did end up with about 3 servings of beef leftover, which I happily used to make these again for lunch the next day.
My husband and son both ate 3 folded quesadillas for dinner, my daughter and I both ate one, but would have been happy splitting one more....if the guys didn't eat them first 😉

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 2mg

Best BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas

I hope you enjoy these BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas as much as we do!

If you haven’t tried the foldover quesadilla Tik Tok recipe trend yet, this is a delicious recipe to get you started.

You all know that I follow Weight Watchers, so I wanted to put the breakdown of WW points per quesadilla here for you all:

  • 2 tablespoons 96% lean ground beef – 1 point on WW Blue Plan *can substitute 99% FF ground turkey for ZERO points.
  • 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese – 2 points on WW Blue Plan *can substitute 1 wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese for 1 point
  • 1 low carb tortilla – 1 point on WW Blue Plan
  • Caramelized Onions – less than 1 point – onions are free, but they are cooked in olive oil
  • BBQ sauce – I used homemade BBQ sauce, which was 2 points for one tablespoon. *can substitute sugar free BBQ sauce for ZERO points.

BBQ Cheeseburger Folded Tortilla Quesadillas

If you love quesadillas, be sure to try my Easy Cheesy Quesadilla Recipe.

Follow Shuman Farms RealSweet Onions on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more cooking tips and recipes ideas.

And while you are at it, be sure follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more delicious recipes, things to do and more.

Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

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Grab some fresh peaches and bourbon and make the best homemade bourbon peach BBQ sauce. This BBQ sauce is good on chicken, ribs and just about everything else. Grab my easy Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce and enjoy!

How to make Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Florida peaches are in season and I grabbed a bunch the last time I was in the store to make my Peach Jalapeno Cornbread. And since I was making cornbread, the kids wanted BBQ. And if I was firing up the grill to make something to go with my Peach Jalapeno cornbread, I decided only a peach BBQ sauce would do.

I made a blueberry BBQ sauce awhile back and you all loved it, so it’s definitely time to enjoy another homemade BBQ sauce recipe.

Now this is a Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce.

How to make Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Doesn’t that just sound amazing?

My husband and I just started sampling some of the different amazing whiskeys and bourbons out there and since I have about 7 different varieties in the house right now, I decided bourbon would be the perfect pairing to my Florida peaches. Bourbon has notes of vanilla, oak and caramel, which I knew would all taste amazing with peaches, so I knew this BBQ sauce would be incredible. Don’t worry, I didn’t use the Blanton’s, that’s for sipping only 😉 Or the occasional Bourbon Old Fashioned.

Tasty Homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Not only is the homemade BBQ sauce great for just about anything you put on the grill or smoker, it was also incredible on my BBQ Cheeseburger Stacked Quesadillas.

To make homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ you will need these ingredients:

Peaches
Ketchup
Red wine vinegar
Soy sauce
Light brown sugar
Honey
Bourbon
Red pepper flakes
Ground black pepper

As you can see, my Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce is actually made with pretty common ingredients, in fact, you may have them at home right now! And if you do, go grab em because it’s time to make some killer homemade BBQ sauce.

Easy Homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

How long will homemade BBQ sauce last in the refrigerator?

Homemade BBQ Sauce will last for 7–10 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. My guess is that you will use it all before that though.

Can you freeze your homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ sauce?

Sure can! Make sure your homemade BBQ is cooled completely and then you can freeze it in a freezer safe container or zip lock freezer bag.

How long will your homemade BBQ sauce last in the freezer?

Your homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ sauce will stay good in the freezer for about 6 months.

Homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Can you substitute the bourbon for something else?

Whiskey would be the easiest to substitute of course. I haven’t tried another alcohol, but if you do, let me know! If you want to leave out the alcohol, I would recommend adding an extra 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, an extra 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and add another tablespoon of honey.

Can you substitute fresh peaches for frozen peaches or canned peaches?

Yes, you can. If you use frozen peaches in this homemade BBQ sauce recipe, I would recommend thawing them so you don’t get the extra water. If you use canned peaches in this Bourbon Peach BBQ sauce, I would drain the liquid.

Can you substitute another vinegar if you don’t have red wine vinegar?

Yes, I would recommend using apple cider vinegar.

Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Ways to Use Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Oh let me count the ways! Use it as a glaze for grilled chicken, pork chops, or ribs. It also pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables like sweetpotatoes or butternut squash or Brussels sprouts. For a quick and easy appetizer, brush it over grilled shrimp or spread it on flatbreads and make a BBQ-inspired pizza. You can even use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders or fries—your family will love it!

Tasty Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Adjusting the Heat Level to Your Taste

If you like a spicier kick, add some extra crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce. For those who prefer a milder sauce, simply omit the heat. Customizing the heat level ensures the sauce is just right for your taste buds!

Easy Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

I used Florida peaches in my Peach and Bourbon BBQ sauce recipe, Florida peaches are only in season for a short time, so get them while you can! Can you use peaches from another state? Sure you can, but in my personal opinion Florida peaches are the best 😉 My next option would be Georgia peaches.

Here is my Bourbon Peach BBQ sauce, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce
Print Recipe

Easy Homemade Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce

The flavors in this Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ sauce are INCREDIBLE. You will taste the heat, the smokiness and the sweetness. With about 5 minutes prep time, you will find yourself making this easy BBQ sauce frequently!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Condiment, dip, Sauce, Sauce/Condiment
Cuisine: BBQ
Keyword: bbq, bbq sauce, bourbon, peaches
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stove

Ingredients

  • 3 small Florida Peaches approx 1 ½ cups diced
  • ¼ cup Bourbon
  • ¾ cup Ketchup
  • ¼ cup Red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup Soy sauce I used less sodium
  • ½ cup Light brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • ½ tsp Red pepper flakes I use Flatiron Pepper Co 4 Pepper Blend
  • ½ tsp Ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients for the sauce into a saucepan
    Making Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until sauce is slightly thickened
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and place into a food processor or blender and puree
  • Cool to room temperature then refrigerate until ready to use
  • Use on chicken, ribs, pork, etc.
  • Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this Bourbon Peach BBQ sauce as much as we do!

Have you made homemade BBQ sauce before?

Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

Be sure to check out all my favorite Peach Recipes. You’ll be sure to find something extra peachy to try.

Homemade Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

In fact, be sure to check out all my recipes and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Refreshing Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail

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This Refreshing Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail is easy to make, is made with fresh ingredients and will definitely cool you down this summer.

Best Cucumber Mint Cocktail

Refreshing Cucumber Mint Cocktail

Fresh cucumbers, mint from the garden, vodka and sparkling water make this cocktail light, refreshing and perfect for summer. Well, anytime really. If you look for low calorie cocktails, this one definitely fits the bill. If you follow WW (Weight Watchers) like me, you will be happy to know that this Cucumber Mint Cocktail is only 1 WW point if you use 1 oz of vodka and 3 WW points if you use 1 1/2 oz of vodka. Based on points, I say have 2 at 1 WW point each 😉 Not sure if it works that way for the best tracking, but I will admit that’s how I look at it from time to time…

Tasty Cucumber Mint Cocktail

Cucumbers have a naturally sweet flavor and when used in cocktails, they give them a refreshing and crisp cocktail creation. You can use fresh or frozen cucumbers in this cocktail. Frozen cucumbers? You know when you buy all this produce in hopes that you will eat it all, but then well…don’t. Slice up those cucumbers before they go bad and freeze them. Use the frozen cucumber slices in water, smoothies and cocktails.

Low Calorie Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail

Mint also has a naturally sweet flavor, for the most flavor be sure to use fresh mint. It’s actually very easy to grow, we have some in our garden that I love using for infusing cocktails and making naturally flavored waters.

There’s not many things I am good at growing in the garden, my thumb is definitely not green, but I do have an awesome herb garden! One of my favorite things is finding new ways to use them all. Hence this amazing (and simple!) vodka cocktail! If you have space, I highly recommend planting some mint. It’s easy to grow, and you’ll always have fresh leaves on hand for drinks, salads, and more.

Low Calorie Cucumber Mint Cocktail

Mint is one of the most popular herbs to use in cocktails because it adds a freshness to every sip. To release the natural flavors of mint into your cocktail you must muddle it, chop it up, or warm it up with your hands. To warm mint up in your hands, place mint leaves or the sprig in one hand, then cover it with the other and gently press or rub the mint — this starts to extract the natural oils before you place it in your drink.

To make my Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail you will need:

Cucumber
Fresh Mint
Vodka
Lime sparkling water – or a squeeze of lime and seltzer water
Ice

You can use a cocktail shaker to thoroughly mix all the ingredients before serving, but if you don’t have one or if you don’t feel like getting it dirty, a good stir will do as well.

Helpful Tips for the Perfect Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail

  • Freezing Cucumbers: Have you ever bought a bunch of cucumbers with the best intentions, only to forget about them in the fridge? I certainly have! A great tip is to slice and freeze any cucumbers you might not get to in time. Frozen cucumber slices are perfect for this cocktail, adding an extra chill and a bit of flavor as they melt.
  • Muddling Mint: To get the most flavor out of your mint, don’t skip the muddling step. If you don’t have a muddler, don’t worry! You can use the back of a spoon to gently press the leaves against the side of your glass or a bowl. You can also put the mint in the palm of your hand and use the other palm to press the mint. This releases the essential oils, giving your cocktail that wonderful minty aroma and taste.
  • Making It Ahead: Got a party planned? Prep this vodka cocktail (minus the sparkling water) and toss it in the fridge. When the guests arrive and you are ready to serve it, top with sparkling water and CHEERS!
  • Customize To Your Liking: This cocktail is super easy to adjust to your favorite flavors! Add more mint, add less mint, use different sparkling water flavors…Don’t like vodka? Try tequila!

Easy Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail

Here’s your reminder to slow down, savor the simple pleasures, and enjoy the company of friends and family. Cheers to refreshing summer sips and creating memories that last a lifetime!

Now, here is my low calorie, WW-friendly Cucumber Mint Cocktail recipe. Be sure to print it and pin it so that you can make it again and again.

Cucumber Mint Cocktail
Print Recipe

Cucumber Mint Cocktail

This low calorie vodka cocktail is made with fresh cucumbers and fresh mint for a naturally sweet and refreshing cocktail.
Prep Time2 minutes
Course: Cocktail
Keyword: cocktails, cucumber, drinks, peppermint, vodka
Servings: 1
Calories: 70kcal
Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 4 slices cucumber more if desired
  • 1 spring of mint or 4-5 leaves
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 3 oz lime sparkling water or a squeeze of lime and selzter water
  • ice

Instructions

  • Muddle or "warm up" your fresh mint leaves. You can warm them up by placing them in your hands and gently rubbing them together. This will extract the natural oils from the leaves
  • Add ice to your favorite glass
  • Add vodka
  • Add cucumber slices and mint, then stir
  • Top with sparkling water
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to add more or less cucumbers and mint to your cocktail.  One of the great things about this cocktail is that you can adjust the fresh ingredients to get the flavors you enjoy most.
You can use a cocktail shaker if desired.  If you choose to do this, add everything except the sparkling water to the shaker, mix well, add to your favorite glass, then top with the sparkling water.
Cheers!

Nutrition

Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

I hope you enjoy this Cucumber Mint Cocktail as much as I do!

Best Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail

What is one of your favorite low calorie cocktails?  Have you ever added cucumbers and mint to your cocktail?

Be sure to check out all the cocktail recipes on Food Wine Sunshine and follow on me Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more FOOD WINE AND SUNSHINE.

Easy Yet Delicious Mother’s Day Brunch Menu

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Let Mom have the morning off from cooking and treat her with this easy yet delicious Mother’s Day Brunch Menu that the kids can help cook. While this post is sponsored by Florida Dairy Farmers, all opinions and my love of dairy are my own.

The Best Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

Easy Yet Delicious Mother’s Day Brunch Menu

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and while just spending time with my kids is gift enough, I do appreciate a little time out of the kitchen. And I am thinking that most moms out there would appreciate the same. So, I sat down with the kids and we discussed some easy breakfast recipes that we all enjoy and figured out a way for them to make them on their own (read so I don’t have to).

We make cinnamon rolls a lot on the weekends. Cinnamon rolls are easy and everyone loves them. So we decided to fancy them up a bit by making a cinnamon roll casserole. Every brunch needs something sweet, something savory and yummy drink options. Our something sweet brunch menu option is a Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole.

How to make Cinnamon Roll Casserole

To make our Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole you will need just a few ingredients:

Your favorite berries – we used Florida blueberries and strawberries
Refrigerated cinnamon rolls
Florida Milk
Eggs
Maple syrup

mother's day brunch cinnamon roll casserole recipe

You probably have all the ingredients for this Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole in your refrigerator right now. I did! I didn’t even have to make an extra trip to the store 🙂

The kids make easy chicken enchiladas all the time, it’s probably one of the easiest meals we make…well besides frozen pizza night. So for the savory option of our Mother’s Day Brunch Menu we opted for a breakfast version of enchiladas. We even made a make-ahead breakfast enchilada so that the kids could make them before they went to bed…they didn’t want to be overwhelmed with two dishes to make in the morning 😉

Perfect Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

For our Easy Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas you will need a few simple ingredients:

Hot turkey sausage – you can use regular sausage or any variety you prefer, but since joining WW, turkey sausage is all I usually use.
Tortillas – I used the low carb ones, but you don’t have to.
Onion
Jalapeno
Mini Sweet Peppers
Eggs
Florida Milk
Cheese
Seasonings

Perfect Mother's Day Brunch Menu

I like a little heat and a lot of flavor in all my dishes, so you will find onion and jalapeno in just about everything. Feel free to leave them out of substitute your vegetables of choice. If you use mushrooms or zucchini, I would recommend sauteing them first so they don’t get mushy.

Perfect Mother's Day Brunch

Now for a bit of color and fun on our Mother’s Day Brunch table I made my homemade vanilla yogurt and the kids topped them with fresh berries and granola. The addition of the homemade yogurt parfaits were light and delicious. Plus the single serving mason jars looked cute on the table! Grab my homemade vanilla yogurt recipe here. It’s easier than you think, I promise! Of course, store bought yogurt will work fine as well.

mothers day brunch recipes

For drinks at your Mother’s Day Brunch, I recommend Florida Milk not only because it tastes great and it’s great for you, but you need something to wash down all that deliciousness from the cinnamon roll casserole and enchiladas. And a glass of mimosa for mom and dad is never a bad idea.

Easy Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

We did it, Mother’s Day menu planned!

For our Mother’s Day Brunch we will be serving:

Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas
Homemade Yogurt Parfaits
Florida Milk
Mimosas

mothers day brunch Recipes Cinnamon Roll Casserole

While these easy Brunch recipes are perfect for Mother’s Day, they are also perfect for Father’s Day, the holidays and any day that you want to enjoy a yummy breakfast.

mothers day brunch Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas

Getting the kids involved in the kitchen can prove to be challenging sometimes, but when it’s for mom (and when the recipes are easy and delicious) I bet you can convince them to help. My kids are older, in their teens, so they actually did all of the Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole themselves and assembled all of the enchiladas. I will admit, I still browned the turkey sausage, I tend to be a bit particular about breaking it up into little pieces when browning.

Best Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

Now, let’s get to those delicious breakfast recipes for Mother’s Day, shall we?

Here is my Berry Cinnamon Roll Casserole recipe. Be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

mothers day brunch cinnamon roll casserole
Print Recipe

Berry Good Cinnamon Roll Casserole

This Cinnamon Roll Casserole is a "berry" good recipe for breakfast and brunch! Prepped in just a few minutes this cinnamon roll casserole is perfect for Mother's Day...Or any day!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Breakfast/Brunch
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keyword: breakfast, brunch, easy recipe, easy recipes
Servings: 6
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
  • 1 cup Florida blueberries
  • 1 cup diced Florida strawberries
  • 1/2 cup Florida milk
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside
  • Open the cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into quarters
  • In a medium mixing bowl combine the milk, eggs, and maple syrup. Mix well.
  • Add the cinnamon roll quarters and berries to the bowl with the milk and egg mixture
    casserole
  • Gently stir to make sure all pieces are coated
  • Pour into prepared baking dish
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes until cooked throughout
  • Top with icing from cinnamon roll package
  • Enjoy!

Now for Mother’s Day Brunch recipe #2, Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas. Be sure to Print and Pin this one too.

mothers day brunch Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas
Print Recipe

Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas

Make breakfast time a bit easier when you prepare these overnight breakfast sausage enchiladas. I used ground turkey and low carb tortillas so they are even WW-friendly.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Refrigerated Time4 hours
Course: Breakfast, Breakfast/Brunch
Keyword: breakfast, sausage, weight watchers, ww
Servings: 8
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stove
  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 1/2 sweet onion diced
  • 1 jalapeno diced - seeds removed if desired
  • 2 mini sweet peppers diced and seeds removed
  • 16 oz hot turkey breakfast sausage
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided into 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup
  • 8 low carb tortillas - medium size
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup Florida milk
  • 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning I used VooDoo Chef Dust

Instructions

  • Spray an 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside
  • Add a touch of oil to a large skillet and warm
  • Saute onion and peppers until tender
  • Add the breakfast sausage and cook throughout, breaking apart bigger pieces as needed
  • Once sausage is cooked thoroughly, shut off the heat and we will assemble the enchiladas
  • Lay all 8 tortillas out
  • Divide a 1/2 cup of shredded cheese amongst the tortillas. Sprinkle a little in each one.
    making breakfast enchiladas
  • Using a spoon, add the breakfast sausage mixture to each tortilla. Save about a 1/4 cup of the sausage mixture for the end
  • Using your hands roll each tortilla tightly and place in the tortillas in the prepared baking dish seam side down
  • Repeat until all tortillas are in the prepared baking pan
  • In a medium bowl mix the eggs, milk and all-purpose seasoning
  • Pour the egg-milk mixture over the enchiladas
  • Sprinkle the remaining sausage over the top
  • Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees when ready to cook
  • Bake covered for 30-40 minutes until eggs are set
  • Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cheese (feel free to add more!)
  • Place back in oven until cheese is melted - approximately 3-5 minutes
  • Enjoy!

Tasty Mother's Day Brunch Recipes

Don’t forget to grab the Homemade Vanilla Yogurt recipe for your yogurt and Florida berries.

If you want to add another sweet recipe to your brunch menu, I strongly recommend this Challah Bread Pudding with Homemade Caramel Sauce.

Tasty Mothers Day Brunch Menu

Each of the breakfast recipes on my brunch menu have a very special ingredient. Milk.

Easy Mothers Day Brunch Menu

Dairy milk (white, flavored, lactose free and organic) contains nine essential nutrients and 8 grams of high-quality protein in every 8-ounce glass. These are the 9 nutrients found in milk: Protein, Calcium, Riboflavin, Niacin, Phosphorus, B12, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin D.

Milk is more than just an ingredient, it is an essential part of our diet.

Learn more about where milk comes from and dairy farming sustainability.

best mothers day brunch recipes

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! May your day be relaxing and filled with lots of love and hugs…and not a lot of time in the kitchen!

Best Mothers Day Brunch Menu

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Best Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

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Sweet. A little spicy. Delicious. You need this peach jalapeno cornbread in your life! Grab the best peach and jalapeno cornbread recipe and let’s get cooking. While the post is sponsored by Florida Peaches, all opinions and my love of Florida peaches are my own.

Best Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

Best Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

It’s here! It’s here! Florida Peach Season is officially HERE! I have been not-so patiently waiting for this day ever since the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association tour when we visited a peach farm and I am so excited it’s HERE. Florida peaches are the juiciest, sweetest peaches you will ever have and they are in stores NOW. Florida peaches are in season for about 90 days typically starting at the end of March. This year they were a bit delayed due to Florida weather, so that means that Florida peaches are in stores now into June.

Easy Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

That means NOW is the time to stock up on Florida peaches for all your favorite peach recipes.

Tasty Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

Like my Florida Peach Jalapeno Cornbread.

Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

We have lived in Florida for over 20 years and my kids are proud Florida natives, and that means they love cornbread. And they have strong opinions on good cornbread and not-so-good cornbread. So, I was a little nervous making cornbread, as they would definitely be my biggest critics. Add that this was my first time ever making cornbread, I was a tad nervous.

How to make Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

But it turned out amazing.

Homemade Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

I actually had no idea that homemade cornbread was so easy to make! Then add in the sweetness from the Florida peaches and the heat from the jalapenos and you got yourself one of the best cornbread recipes EVER.

Jalapeno Peach Cornbread

To make my Florida Peach and Jalapeno Cornbread you will need:

Florida peaches
Jalapeno
Cornmeal
Flour
Eggs
Milk – I recommend Florida Milk, of course.
Butter
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Salt

Best Jalapeno Peach Cornbread

All the ingredients in my Peach Jalapeno Cornbread are pretty common ingredients, so you may have most of them at home right now. And if you don’t have Florida peaches at home yet, now is the time to get some. Did I mention that it’s Florida peach season RIGHT NOW?!

Easy Jalapeno Peach Cornbread

My kids love cornbread as a side to just about everything, but our favorite is BBQ. So, be on the look out for homemade peach BBQ sauce and grilled chicken coming up soon here on the blog. And I may have a easy peach dessert recipe to spoil y’all with too. Can you tell that I’m excited about Florida peach season??

Tasty Jalapeno Peach Cornbread

Alright, well let’s get cooking the best Peach Jalapeno Cornbread E-V-E-R.

How to make Jalapeno Peach Cornbread

Here are a few things to note when making cornbread:

  • When you are mixing the cornbread “batter”, it will be runny, almost water like. Don’t expect it to be dough-like or thick like cake batter.
  • Your cornbread will be done when the top is brown and the center is cooked. Slide a knife or a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean, then it’s done.
  • I served mine with a honey butter, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but it’s crazy easy to make.

Cornbread with Peaches and Jalapeno

This cornbread about 10 – 12 servings, so if you have some leftover, here is how to store your homemade cornbread:

  • If covered and left on the kitchen counter, your cornbread will be good for about 2 days
  • If you store your homemade cornbread in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator it will be good for approximately one week.

Cornbread with Jalapeno and Peaches

Here is my Peach Jalapeno Cornbread recipe, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again. Because you will want to. I promise.

Peach Jalapeno Cornbread
Print Recipe

Florida Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

A little sweet and a slittle spicy make this easy cornbread recipe absolutely delicious! Enjoy this Peach Jalapeno Cornbread as a side to your favorite BBQ meals.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keyword: cornbread, jalapeno, peaches
Servings: 10
Calories: 171kcal
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Stove
  • Oven

Ingredients

Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

  • 1 cup chopped fresh peaches about 2 small Florida peaches
  • 1 large jalapeño diced - approx 1/2 cup. I leave the seeds in for a little added heat, feel free to remove them if desired.
  • 1 ½ Tbsp salted butter divided
  • 1½ cups stone-ground yellow cornmeal
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1¾ cups 2% milk
  • 1 squeeze fresh lemon juice
  • 2 large eggs

Honey Butter

  • ½ stick butter softened
  • 2 Tbsp honey

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Melt 1/2 Tbsp butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high.
  • Add peach and jalapeños; cook, stirring, approx 3 minutes. Jalapenos will be tender and peaches will start to caramelize.
    Making Peach Jalapeno Cornbread
  • While the peaches and jalapeno are cooking, in a large bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In a small bowl, whisk milk, lemon juice, and eggs.
  • Add milk mixture to the cornmeal mixture; stir until combined. It will be a bit runny. It shouldn't be thick.
  • Stir in peach and jalapeno mixture.
  • Put the empty skillet to the preheated oven for 5 minutes. During this time, allow the cornmeal mixture to rest.
  • Carefully remove skillet from oven. Remember the handle will be HOT.
  • Add 1 Tbsp butter to the skillet, swirl it around to coat the skillet.
  • Pour cornmeal/peach batter into skillet.
    Making Peach Jalapeno Cornbread
  • Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and center is cooked thoroughly.

Honey Butter

  • Mix ½ stick butter and honey until combined.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 208IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg

How to make Cornbread with Jalapeno and Peaches

I hope you enjoy this Peach Jalapeno Cornbread as much as we do!

We all just love the sweet and spicy flavor combination in this homemade cornbread.

How to make Cornbread with Peaches

Now remember, Florida peaches are only in season for a short period of time, so when you head to the store to get some (I have seen them at Publix, Walmart, and Winn-Dixie) be sure to stock up. You can freeze peaches or preserve peaches by canning them so that you enjoy Florida peaches all year long.

Be sure to check out my favorite Peach recipes here, you will find everything from peach cocktails to the peachiest desserts.

What is one of your favorite peach recipes?

How to make the best Peach Jalapeno Cornbread

Have you ever made cornbread before?

Peach Jalapeno Cornbread made with Florida Peaches

You can follow Florida Peaches on Facebook and Instagram for more sweet treats and recipes. Fresh From Florida also has some amazing Florida Peach recipes. Be sure to pick up some Florida peaches the next time you are at your favorite grocer. If you don’t see them at your local store, be sure to ask the produce manager when they expect their next shipment. Florida peaches are available now through mid-June, so don’t delay grabbing some.

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