Celebrate National Citrus Month With Fun Mixed Drinks (and Sparkling ICE)
(Reader note: The company sent me several bottles of the Sparkling ICE to sample. I was not otherwise compensated and my opinion remains my own.)
There is nothing more delicious than a tall, cold glass of orange juice to get your day started, at least in my opinion.
I could be a bit biased because I have always believed I have orange juice running through my veins. That’s because my great, great grandfather owned Indian River Groves, the famed citrus groves that you still see posted on orange crates and stamped on citrus products in stores.
The groves are no longer ‘in the family’, but we do still have citrus trees in the backyard of my childhood home, and the love for citrus is thriving in my children, too.
Maybe that’s why I’m so excited to tell you about January being National Citrus Month, and about a new product that I got to try last week.
It’s called Sparkling ICE, “a zero calorie naturally flavored sparkling water with vitamins and healthy antioxidants”.
It comes in several flavors, but I love, love, love the Grapefruit flavor. It’s zero calorie, but oh, so sweet. I had to pace myself, pouring half the bottle into a glass to drink on the spot. I saved the other half for a mixed drink later, combined with my favorite coconut rum. Double yum.
And, as luck would have it, the company sent me some recipes for another flavor, Orange Mango, and asked me to share them with you. I’m happy to oblige, in fact, I feel like it’s my family duty.
So, happy National Citrus Month!
Let me know what you think of the ones you try!
Sparkling Orange Mango Granita
Ingredients
6 oranges, emptied and shells frozen
1 mango, peeled and pitted
1 bottle of Orange Mango Sparkling ICE
½ cup water
¼ cup sugar
Preparation
Cut the oranges in half and scoop out the pulp for later use. A thin layer can be sliced off the bottom of the orange halves to create a flat surface and prevent them from rolling around when serving.
Freeze empty orange shells.
Note: For easier scooping, roll the oranges by hand before cutting in half, using a firm downward pressure to loosen the pulp.
Directions:
Place chopped mango in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the water, Sparkling ICE and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Pour mixture into deep-sided metal or glass pan. Place it in the freezer, uncovered. When the top of the liquid forms an icy layer, scrape through entire pan with a fork every 30 minutes. Return to freezer and let another frozen layer form; scrape again with fork. Repeat freezing and scraping steps until all liquid is frozen. Remove from freezer, and scrape surface with the tines of a fork until it is the texture of shaved ice. Fluff with a fork to create soft granita. Repeat this process every 30 minutes for 3 to 4hrs. Put mixture in frozen oranges and serve.
Orange Mango Martini
Ingredients:
1 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Orange Vodka
Juice of 1 Lime
3 oz. Orange Mango Sparkling ICE
Directions:
Combine Tequila and Vodka with ice in a shaker.
Strain and pour into the chilled martini glass.
Top with Orange Mango Sparkling ICE.
Orange Mango Mimosa
Ingredients:
1/3 cup chilled dry champagne
1/3 cup chilled Orange Mango Sparkling ICE
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or triple sec (optional)
Directions:
Fill the champagne flute 1/2 full with chilled dry champagne. Top with chilled Orange Mango Sparkling ICE. Top mimosa with 1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier or triple sec (optional).
