Red, White and Blue Vanilla Bean Spritzers (non-alcoholic) for 4th of July.
I can't believe it.s almost the 4th of July. This year is flying by already. I whipped up these vanilla bean spritzers for the occasion.
I seriously had totally forgotten and when I realized it, it was too late to bake something. Not to mention the fact that pretty much all my baking supplies, pans, cookie sheets etc are in box somewhere in the abyss of yet to be unpacked boxes in my house. It's not that I don't want to unpack, its that I still don't have anywhere to put them. World's longest kitchen remodel is still underway, so storage is at a premium right now for kitchen items.
Since baking was out, I had to think of something fun for the 4th of July. I know desserts or drinks with strawberries and blueberries are so cliche, but that is what is in season right now and we had a ton of fresh berries and I wanted to use them up or freeze them before they went bad. Not that it happens that often, my kids could eat their body weight in berries if I let them.
So I first thought I would make spritzers with different flavored syrups and have one drink be blueberry, one be strawberry and another vanilla for the red white and blue theme. But then the idea of making the ice cubes popped into my head and I figured why not try. I am so glad I did. When I was setting up to quickly take my pictures ( its over 100 deg here in Vegas now so ice melts quickly) I snapped this test shot for checking my light and I loved the way the ice cubes looked in the glasses.
Unfortunately because of the heat here, even though I had my AC on blast, the ice cubes were melting quickly so I had to take pics quicker than the melt.
I love the little flecks the vanilla bean adds to the drink. Like a fruitylicious cream soda. I have since made a second batch of the vanilla bean simple syrup. It is that good.
As the drinks were melting some of the fruit was escaping the ice cubes. This was about the time my kids wanted to see what I was doing and they spied the spritzers and wanted in on the action. They realized I stole some of their precious berries and needed to try the drinks.
Of course I let them have some. I may or may not have added vodka to mine later on. Its really good that way too. So I have heard.
"Recipe"
Red, White and Blue Vanilla Bean Spritzers (non-alcoholic) for 4th of July #Holidayfoodparty
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Ice cubes:
- 12 ounces or 2 cups frozen strawberries
- ⅓ c organic evaporated cane juice/ natural sugar I use Zulka
- 1/ s c water
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and diced
For the Blueberry Ice Cubes:
- 12 ounces or 2 cups frozen blueberries
- ⅓ c organic evaporated cane juice/ natural sugar I use Zulka
- ½ c water
- 1 cup fresh blueberries sliced in half
For the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- 1 c organic evaporated cane juice/ natural sugar I use Zulka
- 2 vanilla bean pods
- 1 cup water
For the Drinks:
- Sparkling or seltzer water
- Ice
Instructions
To make the simple syrups:
- Combine the frozen strawberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mash the berries against the sides of the pan to release as much juice as possible. Strain the simple syrup into a jar and cool completely before use. Can be kept in an airtight jar, such as a mason jar, in the refrigerator for several weeks.
- Combine the frozen blueberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mash the berries against the sides of the pan to release their juices. Strain in the same manner as the strawberry syrup and keep cool until use, in refrigerator
- To make the ice cubes divide the chopped fresh strawberries amongst one ice cube tray, and the sliced fresh blueberries in another. For the strawberry ice cubes add 1 tablespoon of the strawberry simple syrup to each cube, and top with water. For the blueberry ice cubes, add 1 tablespoon of the blueberry simple syrup and top with water. Freeze until ready to use. At least 6-8 hours
For the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup :
- Pour the cup of sugar in a sauce pan. Slice the vanilla bean pods in half and scrape out the seeds into the sugar. Rub the vanilla beans with the sugar using your fingertips until the sugar is very fragrant and the seeds are dispersed. Add the pods to the pan and the 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring to make sure all the sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved turn off the heat and let cool for an hour or two to let the vanilla bean infuse the syrup. Remove the vanilla bean pods and pour the syrup into a jar and chill until ready to use.
For the spritzers:
- Place two blueberry ice cubes in a glass, then two regular ice cubes and finally 2 strawberry ones on top. Add in 1 tablespoon of the vanilla bean simple syrup and fill the glass with the sparkling water.
Notes
So like I said earlier this is part of the Holiday food blog party and here is the rest of the fabulous recipes in this party from the other amazing bloggers that participate
Doesn't everything look and sound amazing?? Happy 4th!
1. Berry Cheesecake Crumb Tart from Hungry Couple NYC
2. California Burgers from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
3. 4th of July Ice Cream Cones from Roxana's Home Baking
4. Red, White & Blueberry Parfaits from Cravings of a Lunatic
5. Red, White & Blue Deviled Eggs from Created by Diane
6. Summer Berry Pizza from Magnolia Days
7. Sparkling Pineapple Cake Martini from The Messy Baker
8. Red, White & Bleu Mac 'N Cheese from Juanita's Cocina
9. Red, White & Blue Vanilla Bean Spritzers from Pineapple and Coconut
10. Red, White & Blue S'mores Pies from Big Bears Wife
11. Lemon Raspberry Sugarless Cookies from What Smells so Good
12. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Squares from Chocolate Moosey
13. Berry Trifle from Jen's Favorite Cookies
14. Watermelon Mojito Ice Pops from Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
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