Monday, July 2, 2012

Mixed Berry and Mint Syrup Fizz

Happy Monday!  We have officially survived the heat waves here, but I feel so bad for those slightly below us as well as in the middle of the U.S. who are still going through the super high temperatures.

So, I made a mistake of not signing up my son for camp this week (granted, I sent the application in early February), so now I have to come up with whatever entertainment I possibly can to divert him from his video games or even watching TV all day long.  Back in February, I thought we might go away for this particular week considering that July 4th is on a Wednesday.  Well, it didn't quite work out like that...

Although Mondays are my sitter days - which allows me to do things that I otherwise cannot do with my kids in tow - I decided to make a day trip for the kids and our sitter to a relatively new park in Brooklyn (since we haven't been there yet, it's new to us).  There is a new carousel all covered in glass called Jane's Carousel.  I once noticed this beauty while riding a subway on the Manhattan Bridge and decided that I should bring the kids for a visit.  When I started googling this carousel to find out how I could get there with 2 kids, I found out that this carousel is a restored historic carousel from 1922.  I became even more eager to check it out.  I must say that it is a beauty in a glass!  If you live around here, you must go for a visit - it is located in the DUMBO section of the Brooklyn Bridge Park.  The surrounding area and the park are also so pretty with a great view of Manhattan.  Luckily, there was also a playground for the kids to run around as well.

 Jane's Carousel (Photo from their web site)

 
Looking South - Brooklyn Bridge

 
Looking North - Manhattan Bridge 

We ended up having a great time and eating lunch in the area.   By the time we got back, I had enough time to write a new blog!  Over the weekend, since the weather was so hot, I made this drink for the hubby.  He loves carbonated water, so this was the perfect cooling beverage on a hot summer day for him.  I once again, used him as my tester and luckily I passed this time!  I couldn't be happier - he's a very tough/honest critic.

Ingredients:
Berries of choice: blueberry, strawberry, raspberry
2 cubes of the frozen mint syrup
Ice cubes
Carbonated water of choice

In an 8oz glass mix all the ingredients.  Mix well and enjoy the flavors!

 Mixed Berry & Mint Syrup Fizz

This can also count as my red, white and blue :)  Happy 4th of July everyone.