Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes

Summer Drinks

Three-Ingredient Summer Cocktails

The Times asked some of the country’s top bartenders to suggest streamlined coolers built for easy warm-weather drinking. The rules were simple: three ingredients, not counting straightforward garnishes, sugar, seltzer and simple syrup. The goal was loads of refreshment with minimal effort.
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Strawberry-Banana Bread Recipe

Strawberries are on sale this week at Shoprite, so I've been trying to come up with some new uses (other than smoothies, which my kids love).  Here is a delicious twist on Banana Bread that adds in fresh strawberries and makes one loaf, 3 mini loaves, or 12 muffins.   Check out this easy to follow recipe with instructions HERE.

Crockpot Chicken Burritos

My friend Gail offered up this simple crockpot recipe..another one for crazy afternoons--pop it in the crockpot at 2 and dinner is ready at 6! 

Gail's Chicken Burrito 

Put two packages of boneless skinless chicken thighs into a crockpot 

Add one jar of salsa  (Gail suggests green mountain gringo mild salsa, but I'm sure most anything would work)

That's it folks!

Cook for 4 hours.  Shred chicken with 2 forks.

serve in soft tortillas with your favorite toppings.  we grilled our tortillas--so yummy.  and we added shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and sour cream.  

Rub Me All Over

In honor a Valentine's Day...get some good rubbing going!

One of the quickest ways to add some flavor in the kitchen is a spice "rub"; I use the word rub loosely, as its often more of a shake and sprinkle.

We have two store-bought rubs we like.   McCormick Grill Mates work fine in the oven and I've been using the mesquite on chicken and pork with great success.

The Magic Salmon seasoning really is magic--sprinkle liberally on a big fillet from Costco, and dinner is served!


If you would like to make your own rub, here is a recipe from from author Susie Fishbein--I would personally increase the paprika.

• SPICE RUB:
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar