Friday Fizz - Pimms

Pimms Ingredients from the mint+fizz Kitchen!

Pimms is an English summer cocktail made of a gin-based liquer.  I have been a huge fan of it since university days when we would mix together a huge batch and chillout on hot summer days. Most recipes include lemonade but I believe that only mixing lemonade makes it just a little bit too sweet. The special ingredient?  Dry ginger ale!

My take on the perfect Pimms is below and is ideally made in a drink dispenser or large jug.  There is very little point making just the one in a highball glass!

Ingredients you will need:

pimms no 1 cup, lemonade (fizzy not still), dry ginger ale, fresh mint leaves, sliced oranges, sliced cucumber or cucumber sticks, sliced lime, whole or halved strawberries, ice and a mint sprig for garnishing

Preparation

1.  1 part pimms to 2 parts lemonade and 2 parts dry ginger ale or
2.  1 part pimms to 3 parts lemonade and 1 part dry ginger ale (sweeter) or
3.  1 part pimms to 1 part lemonade and 3 parts dry ginger ale
4.  Add mint leaves, orange, lime, strawberry and cucumber
5.  Mix and stir well
6.  Pour into a glass and add ice cubes
7.  Garnish with a sprig of mint
8.  Sip, sit back and enjoy!

Pimmspiration...

Pimms Bar via Pinterest

Pimms in mint+fizz Drink Dispenser

Pimms Recipe with Lemon and Apple

Pimms in a Jug via But Can She Bake

Pimms Poster via Strawberry Star Designs

Minty Monday No. 3

There is so much inspiration out there in the big wide world of the interweb. From Instagram to Pinterest, Facebook and blogs, I am constantly blown away by how clever and creative people are.  Following are some gorgeous photos of minty goodness (the colour today, not the herb!). Credits are listed if known.

Mint via Pinterest

Stunning Mint wedding cake via Inspirations Events

 

Peppermint Lollipops via GoodFoodGuide

Mint Macaroons via Pinterest

Mint Twine via Pinterest

Confetti Cake with Mint Icing via Pinterest

Friday Flashback - Star Wars Birthday Party

A couple of years ago my son insisted on a Star Wars party for his 7th birthday. More recently he has been into various sports but at the time ninjas, laser tag and Star Wars were a 7 year old's idea of heaven!  

This was a party at home that wasn't as sophisticated as they are now - cake pops hadn't even been invented! We used pool foam noodles for light sabers which were wrapped in kitchen foil at the ends and sealed with black electricians' tape.  Unfortunately these didn't survive too well with 15 or so 7 year old boys attacking each other but they did the job for a few entertaining hours! 

Star Wars Party - Cupcakes

The main theme was "Star Wars blue" and silver and on the party table included Yoda Soda (lemon and limeade with soda water), Chewbacca Chips, Hoth Dogs, Falcon Fruit and Skywalker Sandwiches (Death Star cookie cutters were used). 

Following are a few photos from his party and some amazing Star Wars parties found on Pinterest and other blogs (photos are referenced if known).

Star Wars Party - Yoda Soda & Hoth Dogs

Star Wars Party - Chewbacca Chips

Star Wars Party - Skywalker Sandwiches, Falcon Fruit & Hoth Dogs

Awesome Star Wars Party Table

Star Wars Party - Yoda Soda and Asteroid Chocolate

Amazing Light Saber Cupcakes

May the force be with you...

Minty Monday No. 2

It is St Paddy's Day today

Guiness via Style Me Pretty

and I am married to an Irishman (a proper born and bred one) and so that makes my children half Irish. Do you know what we will do today to celebrate?

Very little!  It is Monday, it is a school day, it is basketball after school day and I am the car pool driver today.  I will be late and therefore dinner will be very simple. It may be green but probably not very Irish.

Here are some gorgeous pictures of what I should have done to celebrate... there's always next year!

Shamrock Straws via The Sweetest Occasion

Green Tiered Ombre Cake via Pinterest

Shamrock Shakes via She Knows

Shamrock Rock Candy via Pinterest

Cheers and have a sip of the black stuff today.

Friday Fizz - Mojitos!

I like drinks and I like most drinks. Hot, cold, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, bubbles, fizzy, pink, blue, clear. The list is endless...

The Friday Fizz post is about different drinks recipes. Some appropriate for kids parties, others appropriate for adults only!

Today it's all about Mojitos. Possibly my most favourite drink - particularly on a beautiful balmy evening or when out with the girls. Also a fantastic drink at a spring or summer wedding - try a "muddle and mix" mojito bar.

Mojitos are one of the simplest drinks to make but can be made super special with homemade sugar syrup and mint-infused icecubes.

Ingredients you will need per drink:

mint leaves (approx. 10), white rum (I like Havana Club), a lime (cut in wedges), ice cubes, soda water (club soda), caster sugar (approx 1-2 tablespoons depending on taste), a mint sprig for garnishing

Preparation

1.  Place the sugar, mint leaves and two lime wedges in a mason glass
2.  Muddle well to dissolve the sugar
3.  Squeeze the juice of the rest of the lime and drop a wedge in the glass
4.  Add 45ml of the rum (or more/less depending on how your day has been!!)
5.  Stir well and fill the glass with ice cubes and soda water
6.  Garnish with a sprig of mint
7.  Sip, sit back and enjoy!

** If you would like to make your own sugar syrup, place 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan and heat until boiling. Stir until the sugar dissolves and then turn off the heat. Toss in a handful of mint leaves and leave approx 1 hour to soak. Strain out the leaves and leave in the fridge until required.

And in case you forget, there is an awesome poster available from Maggie's Place on DTLL!

Chalkboard-style poster from Maggie's Place

Some other mojito inspiration:

Blueberry Mojito

Raspberry Mojito

Watermelon Mojito

**photo credits given unless unknown

Minty Monday No. 1

Well hello and welcome to the mint + fizz blog!

This is the first of the Minty Monday series of blog posts and today's includes some stunning photos from my Pinterest board. Who doesn't love the colour mint? Who also doesn't love a drink with mint? I certainly do, hence the name of my business!

Behold, a minty feast for the eyes...

Minty Blue Ombre via pinterest

Mini Bottles with Straws via Style Me Pretty

Minty green balloons via Pinterest

Green Lemonade via Pinterest

Mint Pencils via Pinterest

Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cake via Kinfolk

Cheers.