Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparkler

Sparkly and sweet just in time for Valentine's Day. Blood Orange and Raspberry SparklerBlood Orange and Raspberry Sparkler //

We are celebrating! Well kind of…it’s been a long week and we have been gone FAR too long from our little space, but really I am celebrating with this Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparkler because I made it through a short juice cleanse.

Honestly we are happy to share our favorite foods and family moments, but at the moment life seems a bit busy. I think most of you can attest to that. How did we go from the holidays to mid February? It can only mean one more thing, it’s another HOLIDAY!

San Pellegrino for Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparklers

For this Valentine’s Day we hope to keep things simple yet fun. We love to celebrate with a special meal at home and this year we will be enjoying a couple of these easy, tasty, bubbly Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparklers.

Bubbly Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparkler

This pretty pink cocktail has a few ingredients but it makes for a fun at home celebration special. But should you be one of those couples that does plan ahead and make dinner reservations, we recommend making this beverage as a pre-dinner toast. If you are looking for some more recipe ideas for this holiday weekend, check out our recipe index. Wishing you all a wonderful and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Blood Orange And Raspberry Sparkler for Valentine's Day
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Blood Orange and Raspberry Sparkler

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Cocktail
Servings: 3
Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

  • 1 cup San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa
  • 1/2 cup sparkling lime water
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry simple syrup recipe below
  • 1 ounce St. Germain
  • 1 1/2 ounce Vodka
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup raspberries frozen or fresh
  • lime
  • mint
  • ice
  • water

Instructions

  • In a small sauce pan add two cups water to one cup sugar.
  • Bring to a boil and then switch to medium love heat.
  • Add the raspberries.
  • Once sugar is fully dissolved, remove from heat and let cool.
  • Next add sparkling water, pellegrino, simple syrup, St. Germain, and Vodka to a chilled martini shaker.
  • Shake lightly.
  • Pour into 2-3 glasses and garnish with a squeeze of lime, ice, and a mint sprig.

nicole signature via simply happenstance

Strawberry Mango Cream Popsicles

Easy to make Strawberry Mango Cream Popsicles. Tasty on a hot summer day.

:: Strawberry Mango Cream Popsicles ::

Summer is nearly over for us…and the dreading S starts in a few weeks. Yes, Sara and I have been a little MIA from our usual posts for Simply Happenstance. We love our little blog, but both Sara and I have been enjoying our short summer with our kiddos, and lets just say it has simply been going by way toooo fast!

In between beach days and pool time, I blended together this easy and refreshing recipe for Strawberry Mango Cream Popsicles. They are a cinch to make on a hot summer day, but even better enjoyed outside in the nice summer breeze.

Refreshing and sweet on a hot summer day.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Strawberry Mango Cream Popsicles

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 minutes
Total Time9 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 6 -8
Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1/4 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt
  • 1 cup frozen mango
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Dump all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour the mixture into six to eight popsicle molds.
  • Place in the freezer for 4-8 hours.

We hope you are enjoying your summer as much as we have. We can’t wait to hear what some of your favorite “bucket” list adventures you have done this season. For more summer dessert ideas check us out on Pinterest, where we collect some of our favorite snacks and desserts.

nicole signature via simply happenstance

 

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert perfect for Valentines Day:: Strawberry Pretzel Dessert ::

What seems to be a lifetime ago, I worked at a local newspaper.  Every year we held a community bake contest to launch our Holiday Gift Guide Edition of the paper.  This Strawberry Pretzel Dessert was one of the delightful recipes that we got to taste and vote on.  I voted 5 stars on this dessert and I think you might, too.  It’s a little strawberry and a whole lot of Valentine’s fluff!

Easy Whipped Strawberry Pretzel Dessert. [Read more…]

Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze

Halloween inspired with fall flavors, Vanilla Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze:: Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze ::

Who doesn’t love a warm glazed donut? These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are tasty and full of fall flavors with a hint of Halloween wrapped into one.  Both kids and adults alike love donuts .  I think donuts bring along a sentiment of childhood in all of us.  I remember going to Winchell’s as a kid on a special occasion and being able to pick out the largest apple fritter with a little carton of milk.  I loved that! 

Today, my kids love going to get donuts.  I have over the years built some sentiment into their childhood with us going to get a donut on Sunday morning.  Sometimes, we bike to the store, or walk, either way it’s time with my kids that I have enjoyed.  It gives us an activity to do as my husband is often scheduled to work on family day, Sunday. This particular Sunday, the kids had asked for donuts and I decided it was time to make a homemade version of a simple frosted donut.  These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are kid friendly and adult approved, oh yeah did I mention, they are baked and not fried. [Read more…]

Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble

Get ready for Fall with this Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble:: Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble ::

We love fall!  As soon as the temperature drops a couple degrees, I make this light and simple Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble. 

Over the weekend my husband and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary.  We spent the day going back to the town and winery that we got married at.  It was a beautiful day out in Temecula.  The weather was cooler and there was a slight breeze, a relief from the heat that we have had here in Southern California.  I know that most people don’t think that we have much of a fall, but we do have a few slight changes when this season arrives. I took full advantage of this fall feeling and I made this special Skillet Spiced Apple Crumble for my hubby.  It’s one of his favorite desserts. It was our anniversary after all {wink}! [Read more…]

Peaches and Bubbly

We are hanging onto the last moments of summer with this Peaches and Bubbly Cocktail:: Peaches and Bubbly ::

I am hanging onto every ounce and last minute of summer with this Peaches and Bubbly cocktail.  No I don’t want to, do I have to wake up early and rush around? I am craving a routine, but honestly I hate the beginning of the school year.  Adjusting is something I never do well with, so I am going to hide behind my crate of peaches and this pretty summer bottle of Chandon….

Peaches and Bubbly Cocktail [Read more…]