As the sweltering sun shines more intensely each day this summer, the desire for a cool refreshment is an obvious choice. Out with the hot and in with the cold! It’s time to swap out your warm vanilla lattes for your iced frappuccinos.
Just like spring cleaning, it’s smart to seasonally revamp your go-to recipes and cycle in some fresh ones. As an entertainer myself, I am often on the hunt to find the latest and greatest for appetizers and cocktails. I am already prepping for this summer.
My first suggestion is a blended drink, specifically, homemade smoothies. They are healthy, delicious, quick, and easy to make. There are so many options to choose from. I tend to go the fresh fruit and veggie route and often indulge in the decadent route. Simply take a variety of fruit from your fridge, add in some spinach leaves, iced cubes, and Greek yogurt, and you will be shocked at how tasty it is and how great you feel afterward. You can also jazz smoothies up by placing them in classy wine glasses or other stemware in your kitchen.
Alternatively, I currently am hooked on a personal concoction of mine named ‘The Chocolate Dream,’ for obvious reasons. It consists of a small carton of chocolate milk, a banana, a couple tablespoons of peanut butter, and if you’d like, a small amount of espresso chips. It’s tasty, extremely satisfying… and possibly addicting.
For a unique take on an appetizer idea, I recently discovered the ‘Avocado Chicken Salad’ recipe. It is perfect for summer, has great color, and if you are obsessed with avocados, this is sure to hit the spot. If you are entertaining, your guests will appreciate something different and cool—and it makes for a great appetizer or a main entrée.
A fresh idea for an adult beverage is the ‘Kumquat Fizz.’ Not only will the name give you points in your social circles, but it also is actually quite delicious and does not necessitate a lot of ingredients. To me, that is so important and means I can make it more than once.
Hoping these recipes inspire you to retire some of your long-lived favorites in order to make room for some new ones. Cheers!
