Summertime Cocktails: Watermelon Rosemary Drink and Sangrias

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There seemed to be only two of us out early in the morning over the weekend.  Me...and this little guy.  It is hot down here in Texas.  But...if I take off for my long morning walks between 6:30 and 7:30am it is beautiful, quiet, and calm.  Typically, a soft breeze is blowing and the air still feels cool and fresh.


This little guy kept fluttering by me as I was trying to photograph a pretty flower.  "Aren't I just as pretty as that flower?"  he asked pointedly.  "See what pretty big eyes I have!"  he interjected with a brisk whisk of his blue-tipped tail.


"Oh, yes," I purred.   "You are a cute little bugger.  Here we go. Show me your gorgeous eyes.  This is your photo debut on my 'Snippets of Thyme'."  He paused ever so still, photo was snapped, and he was gone.

I don't think we have ever tried our hand at so many mixed drinks since moving to Texas.  The hot weather is perfect for icy, fruity, cool drinks of all sorts.  This one {above} is a refreshing drink with watermelon!  And rosemary! I've never tried a drink before with watermelon but it was a delicious surprise.  

I must confess, I was the only one in my house who enjoyed this drink.  The combination of the rosemary, watermelon, and rum is unique.  For me, however, it was a definite "do again".  Love, love, love this drink.

Watermelon Cocktail with Scented Rosemary

In a blender add watermelon pieces, lemon juice and 1/4 cup of rum.  Blend all together, chill (with rosemary sprig), and pour in serving glasses...or jars.

Dewey morning walk delights

Another new drink I had never tried before is the classic Sangria.  I know, where have I been, right?  I have never had a Sangria!!  Well, now I am in the "Sangria - know". 

I've always wanted to order this in a restaurant.  In fact, scenarios in my mind play out something like this...  "Sangria, please dawlin" she ordered casually, full of knowing sophistication with an elegant wave of her beautifully manicured hand.

Or, I might imagine myself crooning, "Oh honey,  just fix me my yoooo-sual... Sangria...on the rawks." 

I told you.  I have an. active. imagination.  

I don't even get my nails manicured, nor do I have any drawl whatsoever.    In fact, it only takes a few sipfuls of this heady concoction and my elegant manicured hand would be a nice pillow for my snoozing head at this imaginary dining table.  This is one wicked strong drink.

Sangria

1.5 liters red wine 

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or another mild white)

1/2 cup brandy

1/2 cup triple sec

slices of limes, lemons, oranges (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice.

I remember, deep in southern Louisiana, my grandparents often enjoyed a martini in the evenings.  They skewered these huge green olives on little silver pics that rested elegantly against the tall-stemmed martini glasses.  I was always intrigued by this drink.  I loved the scent of the martini.  My grandmother would dip her olive in her martini and give each of us one.  Henceforth, I grew up pretty much believing I was a martini drinking girl.


When I met my husband, and we began dating and going out to restaurants, I told him that I typically drink martinis when I go out. 


"Really?" he asked with one eyebrow raised and for some reason surprised.  "Oh yes," I knowingly replied and then promptly ordered, " a  dry martini with green olives please.

Well.  A large green olive dipped in a martini versus a real bonafide strong sip of a martini are like comparing a merry-go-round horse ride to the real galloping beast of an animal.   

The look on my face after taking my first adult sip of that martini was priceless to my husband.  This knowing sip, however, was horrendous to me .  The first words out of my mouth were "battery acid" {like I had ever drank battery acid}.

To this day, whenever we are out at a nice restaurant, my husband leans over coyly and inquires, "Honey, don't you want your usual...dry martini with green olives?   Oh the smirking that ensues!

We've been in quite a drought down here.  The daily "talk" is usually about the weather and when it might possibly rain.  

Every time we have company over, a nice cold mixed drink sounds like the perfect welcoming gesture.  Its been fun to try out different varieties.

But, please, just give us some cool refreshing rain!  An outpouring of ploppy drops of rain!  The ground is parched and cracked with dryness.  All of my potted herbs on the patio need constant attention and I cannot leave them for a day.  


In the meantime, we'll have to content ourselves with experimenting with more mixed drink varieties.  Now that we are full fledged adults, perhaps a martini or two should be re-discovered?  


No.  Don't think so.  Just give me the jar of green olives, please.