Blog - Sweet Life

The Bamboo Cocktail

Sweet Life Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Carpano Dry and San Giuseppe Salami to share my version my own version of Aperitivo Hour. Thank you for supporting the companies Sweet Life collaborates with to bring new exciting cocktails. Bamboo Cocktail Friends, cocktails, small bites and more cocktails the Italian tradition of the aperitivo is a delicious concept I am willing to embrace happily. Aperitivo comes from the Latin word meaning “to open.” An event focused on spending time with friends, enjoying a few cocktails along with nibbles that are meant to stimulate the appetite before dinner. I recently… Read More

Pineapple-Mint Infused Vodka

Pineapple-Mint Infused Vodka I’m hanging on to summer for as long as I can, but with temperatures high in the 90’s here in South Texas it’s pretty easy to feel like we’re still in the midst of summer. This has me in constant state of craving summer cocktails and infusing with tropical fruits – plus I’m always finding any excuse to infuse. Today I want to share with you a simple pineapple-mint vodka infusion that you can easily make in less than five minutes. Ready to sip on in three days this pineapple-mint vodka infusion is great to sip after… Read More

Chocolate Cake with Prickly Pear Jam

Sweet Life Disclosure: I’m a member of the Amigas de Comida Kraft—a community of kitchen aficionados contributing my recipes and stories to ComidaKraft.com. Thank you for supporting the companies that allow me to bring you new exciting new recipes. Chocolate Cake with Prickly Pear Jam My kids dread the end of summer. Gone are the lazy days spent at the pool, late nights watching movies and endless fun with their cousins. As I begin organizing for a new school year I can see their faces begin to look gloomy and the questions begin “why does summer end so soon?” “Why… Read More

Cazuela Cocktail – Voladora

Cazuela Cocktail – Voladora Summer is winding down, soon the nights will be cooler and the chilly days will be upon us. But until that happens I plan to savor every last drop of summer with family and friends. Just in time for Labor Day I wanted to share with you a refreshing cocktail that not only is beautiful, but is served communal style. I placed this voladora cazuela cocktail at the center of the table and everyone was free to serve themselves. I am in love with the presentation. This cazuela cocktail is traditionally served in a clay pot,… Read More

Watermelon Lemonade

Watermelon Lemonade I’m gearing up for a Labor Day bbq and this refreshing watermelon lemonade is on the menu. Made with only three ingredients this bright lemonade is an awesome beverage to serve to your bbq guests. I use a seedless watermelon for ease and sometimes I add a few mint leaves to the mix. You can easily make this lemonade with cantaloupe or honeydew, both are delicious. Mi carino hates plain lemonade so I find that if I add another fruit to the mix he will at least try it. Really who doesn’t like lemonade, this guy! Chicken Fajitas… Read More

Mini Strawberry Margaritas

Mini Strawberry Margaritas A few weeks ago my childhood amiga hosted a book signing fiesta for me and it was insane FUN! She went all out to create an intimate space complete with a nacho bar, Mexican candy bar and even a selfie station. She strung papel picado, tiny piñatas along the walls, placed decorative barro clay mugs as centerpieces and even made a custom Latin Twist backdrop for guests to snap selfies. I wanted to greet the first wave of guests with a special treat so I whipped up a tray of mini strawberry margaritas. When guests arrived they… Read More

Papaya Chia Jam

Papaya Chia Jam By now, you have seen homemade chia jam popping up everywhere on the internet. I ripped a chia jam recipe out of a magazine last year, added it to my “inspiration” basket, but somehow never got around to making it. While gutting/cleaning/organizing my room last week I ran across that basket full of “inspiration” recipes that I had accumulated over the year and there on the top of the pile was that chia jam recipe. I headed into the kitchen since I had everything on-hand, swapping out strawberries for papaya, because papaya in the summer is the… Read More

Strawberry-Mint Agua Fresca

Strawberry-Mint Agua Fresca Agua fresca means “fresh water,” which are made of fresh fruit and served throughout Mexico. They are very, very popular here in South Texas and they can be found in any local taqueria, even at the local grocery stores. Agua frescas make a colorful addition to your table and are great for entertaining. They can be easily made in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to serve. Feel free to experiment with different fruits, such as mango, watermelon, berries, honeydew or mix a few fruits together to create your own flavor. Today I want to… Read More