As a followup to last week’s roundup of delicious cocktail recipes, I want to share some wonderful non-boozy options today! While I love a good cocktail as much as the next lady, I do not love getting sleepy mid-day. Happy hour is great in theory but since I’m most productive at night, I need to make sure I’m awake. There are so many ways to make non-alcoholic drinks taste and look special.

(from top, left to right)

1. Virgin Grapefruit Mojito | HGTV
2. Blackberry Lemon Mocktail | Running to the Kitchen
3. Raspberry Mint Mojito Mocktail | Nourish & Inspire Me
4. Blackberry Lavender Lemonade | Free People
5. White Peach & Rose Lemonade | Heart of Gold
6. Blackberry Vanilla Mocktail | La Fuji Mama
7. Ginger Honey Mocktail | Nourish & Inspire Me
8. Cranberry, Tangerine, Rosemary & Cream Soda Mocktail | Lilly Pulitzer
9. Nonalcoholic Sangria | The Kitchn
10. Orange Blossom Hibiscus Cold Brew Tea Mocktail | The Merrythought

Yum, right? I would like to try the virgin grapefruit mojito asap. Also, I just found out that people call it a “fauxhito”. So good!

‘Tis the season for light, refreshing poolside boozy beverages! Since apparently people don’t hang out by pools around here, I haven’t been celebrating summer in that way. But I do love a good midday happy hour cocktail every now and then. There is a wonderful restaurant dangerously close to me (literally across the street) and they make an amazing brandy cocktail with Earl Grey and bubbles. I’ll have to recreate it one of these days. In the mean time, check out the yummy recipes below!

(from top, left to right)

1. St Germain Grapefruit Margarita | The Baking Bird
2. Lavender Bee’s Knees | Honestly Yum
3. Whiskey Ginger | A Beautiful Mess
4. Kentucky Mule | Kitchenette
5. Peach & Rosemary Summer Fizz | A Merry Mishap
6. The Summer Rose | Oh So Beautiful Paper
7. White Peach Gin Fizz | Adventures in Cooking
8. Cardamom Moscow Mule | Honestly Yum
9. Apricot Bourbon Smash | Freutcake
10. Blood Orange Sangria | How Sweet It Is

My favorite on the list is the Kentucky Mule (ginger beer, bourbon, lime juice). It’s my go-to. I also need to try that St Germain Grapefruit Margarita, because YUM!

Have the most relaxing Sunday, friends. Sit by your pool, some trees, an A/C, or wherever and treat yourself to a summery cocktail. You deserve it. And if you’re not into the boozy factor, I will be back very soon with something special for you. :)

Throughout each fall and winter, I spend a concentrated amount of time on each hot drink I love until I can’t stand it anymore. Hot cocoa was first this season – more specifically Beekman 1802 Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa. Right now I’m really loving spiced apple cider with bourbon. Tea is a consistent beverage for me as well since I stopped drinking coffee. I have to have black tea every single morning. Still definitely addicted to caffeine. :)

1. The Bourbon Bomber – The Boys Club
2. Chamomile Hot Toddy – HonestlyYUM
3. Chocolate Chai Tea Latte – Virtually Homemade
4. Lemonade with Honey & Cinnamon – Country Living
5. Lavender Hot Chocolate – A La Mode
6. Mulled Wine – Flourishing Foodie

YUM! I can’t even decide what’s at the top of my list to try. Maybe the lavender hot chocolate. It has been a long time coming.

What are your favorite hot drinks? Have you tried anything new lately?

Yesterday I made sparkling grapefruit sangria and it was possibly one of the best decisions of my life. I love grapefruit juice so much. It is a summer favorite indeed. Grapefruit juice + riesling + champagne + strawberries is a summertime dreeeaaamm… For the detailed recipe, visit How Sweet It Is.

I decided not to add simple syrup or sparkling water because it was sweet and bubbly enough already. Also, I didn’t have enough room in the mason jars.

My plan this summer is to make sangria all the time and lay by a pool. Any pool. Do you have any favorite summer sangria recipes? Please, please share them! I’ve gotta add to my list. :)

Like most other blogs these day, Earl Grey might as well be a weather forecast. Today I’m going to talk about the weather. Again.

1. Lavender Lemonade. I want it everydayofmylife.
2. Flavored lemonade recipes from ABM. The grapefruit lemonade ruled my world. I also tried mint and lime!
3. Sparkling Grapefruit Sangria. Can you tell that I love grapefruit juice? I’m a tiny bit addicted.
4. I think this Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail recipe looks refreshing and so pretty! I’ve shown this picture to so many people. a) It has grapefruit juice, b) look at those flowers.

5. Grapefruit mimosas. Now I’m just laughing at myself.
6. Peach lemonade. I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounds so perfect for a hot day.
7. Apple, Ginger, & Cranberry Vodka cocktails. I don’t drink vodka, so I’d put something else in there, but this sounds very tasty.