Spicy Tropical Coolers Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the melon, cucumber, sugar, lemon juice and 1 cup water in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, using a ladle to push the mixture through.
• Add the vodka and liqueur to the pitcher and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Divide among ice-filled glasses; garnish with cucumber spears.

Steps:

• For the jaconde: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat lightly with butter.
• Combine the 13 ounces egg whites and the granulated sugar and whip into a meringue with stiff peaks, using an electric mixer.
• Sift the almond flour, all-purpose flour and confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Add the heavy cream and the remaining 4 ounces egg whites to make a paste. Fold one-third of the meringue into the paste; once incorporated, fold in the remaining meringue. Pour into the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle the top with desiccated coconut.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the cake out of the baking sheet and let cool. Soak the jaconde with fruit puree, making sure the sponge is wet but not soaked.
• For the ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until boiling. Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl with the white chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Let sit until cool, about 30 minutes.
• Whip the ganache with an electric mixer until thick and creamy.
• Spread the ganache on the cake, and slice. The cake can also be chilled.

Steps:

• Just before serving, combine the first 4 ingredients in a punch bowl. If desired, garnish with fruit or edible flowers.

Steps:

• Make two cocktails at once using this method: In a cockatil shaker, muddle the grapes and fresh basil . Then add the vodka, citrus juices, Orange Blossom Honey, ice to fill and shake. Serve in 2 big wine glasess over fresh ice cubes. Top off with California sparkling wine and garnish with 3 grapes on a skewer and a fresh basil leaf.
• Add the honey and hot water together. Mix well.

Steps:

• Make Classic Sugar Cookies with lime zest instead of orange. Whisk 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons green decorating sugar and 3 tablespoons lime juice, then spread over finished cookies.

Steps:

• Combine 6 ounces each bourbon and fresh orange juice in a large cocktail shaker. Add 5 to 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup and fill with ice. Cover and shake vigorously for 1 minute, then strain into 6 chilled champagne flutes. Top with your favorite dry sparkling white wine and garnish each drink with an orange peel twist.

Steps:

• Halve 2 pounds prickly pears (about 8) lengthwise, scoop out the flesh and chop. Mix with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan; let sit until juicy, 5 minutes. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Mash the fruit and let sit 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and refrigerate the syrup until cool, 1 hour. Combine the cooled syrup, 1 1/2 cups tequila, 1 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 cups cold seltzer. Serve over ice.

Steps:

• Add ginger ale to drink mix in 1-qt. plastic or glass pitcher; stir until mix is dissolved.
• Pour into 3 glasses.
• Serve immediately.