{Summer Wedding Cocktails}

Having a festive Reception? Have a festive cocktail! Here's a couple of my favorites that are especially cool for those hot summer weddings ;)

Cava Sangria



*Makes 4 1/2 cups in 5 min!

8 Large mint leaves

1 (750-milliter) bottle Cava Sparkling wine, chilled

3/4 cup white grape juice, chilled

1/2 cup sliced freash strawberries

1/4 cup orange liqueur

Garnish with fresh sugar cane sticks.

Press mint leaves with back of a woden spoon to release flavors. Stir in sparkling wine and next 3 ingredients. Serve immediately over ice. *Other Sparkling wine or Champaagne may be subsitituted.

Classic Mojito

2 tablespoons sugar

15 fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup white rum

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup club soda, chilled

1/2 cup ice

Place sugar and mint in a 2-cup glass measure; crush with a wooden spoon. Add rum and juice; stir until sugar dissolves. Just before serving, stir in club soda. Place ice in an 8-ounce glass; pour mint mixture over ice.

Sparkling Punch

*Makes about 9 cups (from SouthernLiving)

1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

4 cups white cranberry juice cocktail

1 qt. club soda, chilled

Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

 Stir together lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Stir in club soda just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Champagne Punch: Substitute 1 (750-milliliter) bottle extra-dry Champagne or sparkling wine and 1/4 cup orange liqueur for club soda; proceed with recipe as directed.