Caffe’ Mocha Frozen Dessert

This past Sunday was National Ice Cream Day, and any loyal Blind Pig reader can tell you that ice cream is definitely one of our weaknesses!  How can it not be?  This week we have a delicious frozen dessert with a boozy bite to share with you: Caffe’ Mocha Frozen Dessert.

This dessert is a low prep dessert for an impressive return on your investment.  Aside from the taste and the instant visual appeal, this dessert can be made hours or days ahead of your social event.  It is the perfect summer dessert, because you do not need to heat up the oven and risk making your kitchen hot.

The Caffe’ Mocha Frozen Dessert is made with brandy, Creme de Cacao, and Caffe’ Borghetti Espresso Liqueur.  The boozy flavor of this dessert can be attributed to the combination of the trio of liqueurs with ice cream.

To create this yummy treat, you will need to place 5-6 scoops of ice cream in a blender along with a portion of the 3 liqueurs.  Blend the ice cream and then pour the mixture into a large bowl.  You will do this step 3-4 times until all of the ice cream has been blended with the liqueur.  Next stir the ice cream mixture well to make sure that the liqueur is well blended with the ice cream.  After mixing, ladle the ice cream mixture into serving glasses.

Place in the freezer until ready to serve (about an hour or two).  Garnish with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and Pirouette cookies.   Because of the alcohol content in this dessert, we recommend it for adults only.

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a complete downloadable recipe for Caffe’ Mocha Frozen Dessert.

Try Caffe’ Mocha Frozen Dessert this weekend or check out some of our other great frozen treats!

Butterfinger Bourbon Pie

Caffe’ Borghetti PBIF Pie

TBPB Cannonball!

Choco Menta Shake

Espresso Ice Cream

Kerrygold Caramel Shake

Oreo Menta Shake

Tequila Strawberry Lime Ice Cream Pie

 

Flower Power: Hibiscus Spritz

We feel like we are living in the tropics with the strong Texas heat and steamy humidity.  As they say, “When you can’t beat them, join them.”  The equatorial weather has inspired us to try using a tropical hibiscus in a few cocktails.   The results surpassed our expectations, and they will for you too when you try out our Hibiscus Spritz.

We have been curious about making cocktails with this safe-to-drink tropical flower for a few years.  However, we had never quite figured out how to get enough hibiscus blooms to get the job done.  Rhonda always has a hibiscus plant or two on the patio, but plucking and gathering blooms all summer long didn’t seem like an efficient way to make the hibiscus syrup.  After some research we realized you could purchase hibiscus blooms on the internet (The Spice House). We lucked out and found some at our local Sprout’s.   Finding the blooms, which can also be called flor de Jamaica, is the most difficult part of this cocktail.

After you get the dried hibiscus blooms, you will need to make some hibiscus syrup.  We used 4 cups of water, 1 cup of dried hibiscus blooms, 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lime juice.  Bring the water to a boil.  Reduce the heat and add the blooms, sugar and lime juice. Simmer for 10 minutes.  Allow to cool.  Strain liquid into a container that can be covered and stored in the refrigerator.  This will make about 4 cups of hibiscus syrup.

Place vodka, hibiscus syrup and lime juice into a shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.  Top off with ginger ale. We always like to use diet so Craig can watch his waistline.  Garnish with a lime wheel or use a hibiscus flower if you have one available.  (See we told you that finding the hibiscus blooms was the hardest part!)

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a full printable recipe for the Hibiscus Spritz.

This cocktail has a light, fruity flavor and a gorgeous, rich, red color.  It is definitely going to be one of our easy go-to cocktails the next time we have guests on the patio. 🙂  Who knew the power of this potent flower could make such an impact?

 

 

Disclaimer:  Beverages on this site are meant for adults 21 years of age and older.  We do not condone underage drinking.  Drink responsibly.

No Fuss Drinks for Hot Summer Days

Last week The Blind Pig Gang (plus a couple extras) spent a few days on the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.  It was a much needed change of scenery and get away for all of us.  This week in Texas it is predicted that we will hit over 100 degrees on the thermometer.  When it is hot outside, no one wants to spend lots of time prepping a drink.  You want something cool trickling down your throat and fast!  To help you with your thirst on hot days, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite no fuss drinks.

No Fuss Drink #1:  Borghetti Coke Float

This yummy drink has 3 basic ingredients. Caffe’ Borghetti, Coke and Vanilla Ice Cream.  Mix them all together in your glass, sit back and enjoy summer like a kid.

No Fuss Drink #2: Cucumber Gin Spritz

Cucumber Gin Spritz

Cool as a cucumber did not become a popular saying for nothing.  The cooling and refreshing flavor of cucumbers with a little spritz makes this beverage a very refreshing cocktail.

No Fuss Drink #3: Mint Highball

We shared this drink with you a few weeks ago.  It’s made our list again with its two basic ingredients and minty flavor. What can be more refreshing than mint?

No Fuss Drink #4: Paloma

This  Mexican cocktail, which is Rhonda’s go-to summer drink, had to make the list.  Hey friends, Kroger now has Squirt soda, so you can make a Paloma even easier!

No Fuss Drink #5: Raspberry Mojito

Cubans knew what they were doing when they invented mojitos for hot, humid weather.  Our fun twist on a traditional mojito has the light flavor of berries to help you cool your toes.

No Fuss Drink #6: Salty Dog

The Salty Dog is an easy candidate for this list.  It has two basic ingredients with a cucumber for garnish. Mix some vodka with a little grapefruit soda, plop in a slice of cucumber and head for the pool.

No Fuss Drink #7: Tequila Watermelon Fizz

This easy refreshing drink is made with tequila, seltzer water and watermelon.  It’s light, refreshing and doesn’t weigh you down in the summer heat.

 

Try one or try one each day of the week! So which drink are you going to cool off with first?  We’d love to hear about it.

 

Disclaimer:  Beverages on this site are meant for adults 21 years of age and older. We do not condone underage drinking.  Drink responsibly.

Red, White and Blue Smash

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!  This year it feels a little bit different than in year’s past, but it is still important to mark the birthday of our nation and celebrate the freedoms we all hold dear.  To help you with the festivities, we are sharing the Red, White and Blue Smash.  It is a delicious concoction of vodka, grapefruit and basil.  If you are lighting your own fireworks or watching them virtually, this beverage will add to your 4th of July celebration!

Like most beverages on this site, we have stripped this drink down to the essentials.  It is an easy, tasty and fresh drink to make no matter how your 4th Festivities take shape.  To make the Red, White and Blue Smash, you will need premium vodka, grapefruit juice, (ruby red makes a redder drink), fresh basil, grapefruit soda, and fresh blue berries for garnish.

Place two basil leaves and vodka into a shaker.  Muddle for about 15 seconds.  Add grapefruit juice and ice.  Shake for another 15 seconds.  Pour mixture over ice into a rocks glass.  Take another basil leaf and clap it between your hands.  This helps to release the oils and aromas in the basil.  Add the basil leaf to the rocks glass.  Top off with grapefruit soda ( we used Q Drinks grapefruit soda).  Garnish with fresh blueberries and another basil leaf.

If you are viewing this post via email, visit us at www.theblindpig.blog for a complete recipe for the Red, White and Blue Smash.

How are you celebrating your 4th of July Holiday this year?  We wish you a safe and fun-filled weekend.  May your sparklers sparkle brightly and your firecrackers not be duds!

 

Disclaimer:  Beverages on this site are meant for adults 21 years of age and older.  We do not condone underage drinking.  Drink responsibly.