When I am in Italy, I like to have a ‘Spritz’, as the Italians call it, at the end of the day to take the edge off of a long day of sightseeing or wading through crowds at museums. To make the experience even more enjoyable, the Italians always serve a cocktail with a complementary snack on the side, and the snacks are usually delicious. I once asked a bartender the motivation for doing that and he explained that the Italians never drink alcohol on a empty stomach. Very wise!

Italian Aperol Spritz originated from the Veneto region, located in the Northeast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea but it’s origins probably lie in the Austrian Empire, which took over Veneto in the early 19th century. Hapsburg soldiers, local legend has it, would water down the strong local wine with a squirt (spritzen) of sparkling water.

Italian Aperol Spritz can also be made with Campari. I personally prefer Aperol as I find it sweeter in taste.

Saluti!

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Italian Aperol Spritz

Course Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 serving

Author My Global Cuisine

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Aperol or Campari
• 2 ounces of Prosecco
• 2 ounces of sparkling water
• 2 ounces of cubed ice
• 1 slice of Orange cut in half

Instructions

• Fill an old fashioned glass or wine glass with the ice first.
• Add the Aperol or Campari.
• Add the Prosecco.
• Add the Sparkling Water.
• Add the Orange Slice.
• Stir well.
• Serve with a snack on the side.
• For a stronger cocktail add another ounce of Aperol to it.
• Saluti!

The post Italian Aperol Spritz appeared first on My Global Cuisine.

I am always experimenting and thought that since it’s berry season, I would put a little twist on this traditional beverage. I was thinking that something between a Mojito and a  Caipirinha would be just about perfect and thus the Strawberry Mint Caipirinha was born.

In my typical style, this recipe is a variation on the traditional caipirinha which is made with lime, sugar and Brazilian Cachaca. I still use Cachaca but the strawberry and mint really take this drink to the next level!

Ok, so here is everything you need to prepare this summer crowd pleaser.

You can begin by chopping the mint and strawberries. Leave a couple nice slices on the side as a garnish. Then move to crushing the ice by whatever method you feel is best. If you have a crushed ice dispenser on your refrigerator that works just fine. Just to show a little effort, I did it the old fashion way with a mortar and pestle.

Once you have your ingredients ready to go, you can begin the muddling of the sugar, strawberry and mint. After that, take the muddled mixture and all remaining ingredients, put them into a cocktail shaker, and shake well. This will allow you to get a little exercise before you begin your party. Pour the mixture into a glass and sit back and relax!

I hope you enjoy this delicious drink and that it makes your summer just a little brighter.

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Strawberry Mint Caipirinha

Course Drinks

Cuisine Brazilian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 Cocktails

Author My Global Cuisine

Ingredients

• 1 Cup of Fresh Strawberries cut into small cubes and strawberry slices for garnish
• 8 Fresh Mint leaves chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons of superfine sugar Depending on sweetness of strawberries
• 2 oz Cachaca or Vodka
• 1 Cup crushed Ice

Instructions

• With a mortar and pestle, muddle the sugar, 2 lime leaves, and some of the strawberries together. Muddle enough strawberries to release their juice into the sugar leaving some of the strawberries pieces aside to add later.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with the ice. Pour in the muddled mixture, remaining strawberries, mint and the cachaca and shake well. Garnish the glasses with the strawberry slices and serve.
• Enjoy!

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I like to add fresh orange to the mix to make it a little special and balance some of the tartness of the lime.  In Brazil, they often add a little pure passion-fruit juice for those who prefer their drink a little less tart. This Lime-Orange Caipirinha is a great cocktail to serve at at a barbecue. The Brazilians believe that it helps open up your appetite to eat red meat, and it is often served before a family meal at the churrascaria. You will also find this traditional Lime-Orange Caipirinha cocktail at a happy hour or just about any celebration. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy this delicious anti-oxidant filled cocktail. Mix one up at the end of a busy day and relax Brazilian style!

Brazilian football is often referred to as ‘the beautiful game’ and Brazilians are said to live ‘the beautiful life’.  So mix yourself up one of these traditional cocktails and conjure up some images of carnival, beautiful beaches, dancing, great food and great friends .

Love you all!

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Lime-Orange Caipirinha

Course Drinks

Cuisine Brazilian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 -2

Author My Global Cuisine

Ingredients

• 1 Ripe Orange
• 1 Ripe Lime
• 2 Tablespoons Extra Fine Sugar
• 4 Ounces Brazilian Cachaca or Vodka
• 10 Crushed Ice Cubes

Instructions

• Wash Orange and Lime well.
• Roll the Lime and Orange on a clean counter or cutting board applying light pressure, This will help release the juice.
• Remove the ends of the Orange and Lime and cut into 1" wedges.
• Using a mortar and pestle, muddle the Orange and Lime with the sugar
• Add ice to a cocktail shaker
• Pour the mixture and the Cachaca over the ice and shake well.
• Pour and Serve!

The post Lime-Orange Caipirinha appeared first on My Global Cuisine.

Like many people , I am currently on the post-holiday/New Year’s resolution diet. All the laughter and cheer of the holiday season disappeared the moment I stepped on the scale! I find this Pineapple Smoothie with Mint is a perfect way to curb your sugar cravings, and will also get you a daily serving of fruit. I was once told by a dietician that when you are having a craving for something sweet, in reality it is your body’s way of asking for fruit. It is as much the fruit as it is certain vitamins found in fruit that your body is asking for. Next time you are headed for the cookie jar or a piece of chocolate, try eating a piece of fruit and see if it does the trick!

Growing up in Brasil, I drank Pineapple Smoothie with Mint regularly. Pineapple and many other tropical fruits grow in abundance in Brasil. During my youth, I recall that when I regularly ate fresh fruits, I didn’t crave as many sweets. Here in the NorthEast United States, we don’t always have access to tree-ripened fresh fruit so to fulfil my craving I often find myself reaching for something sweet. Since we are fortunate enough to find pineapple and mint year round at the grocery stores in the US, you should always have access to the ingredients. Til today, I still enjoy drinking my Pineapple Smoothie with Mint. I hope you enjoy this delicious Pineapple Mint Smoothie as much as I do, and if you are also on the post-holiday diet, I hope this helps you in achieving your goal!

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Pineapple Mint Smoothie

Course Drinks

Cuisine Brazilian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 glasses

Author My Global Cuisine

Ingredients

• 1 whole pineapple ripe
• 10 to 12 mint leaves
• 1 liter of water
• 2 or 3 TBSP of fine sugar or sugar to taste
• 1 cup of ice cubes

Instructions

• Peel the pineapple and cut it into chunks. Place inside the blender with the mint leaves and blend for approximately about one minute.
• Add the water, sugar and ice and blend it for another 2 minutes.
• Optional: Garnish glasses with a piece of pineapple and a mint leaf and serve.

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