Reddy for Spring Drinks?

It’s only the 19^th time in the past 133 years that the famed Punxsutawney Phil groundhog has predicted an early spring outcome. You can breathe a sigh of relief that the end of the polar vortex is in sight. Are you envisioning the pastels and bright colors of flowers in bloom? Do you smell the freshness of the air and fragrance of nature?

Many cultures around the world celebrate spring festivals and holidays. This year, we are pulling out all the bells and whistles and giving this new season the attention, it deserves. So, let’s shake it up and do something out of the ordinary using the frozen, delicious cubes of Reddy Ice.

Are you Reddy for Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, right before Ash Wednesday.

You can join the parade in New Orleans (NOLA) or make an easy DIY drink at home to get a taste of the Carnival without the crowds. Gearing up for Fat Tuesday, we bring you our take on the stormy French Quarter classic Hurricane party drink. It’s easy to make two batches, one for your non-alcohol friends. Reddy to get shaking?

Hurricane Reddy

In a stemless wine glass, combine –

• 1 ½ oz. Dry Gin (substitute with Tonic Water for mocktail version) and
• 3 oz. White Cranberry Juice.
  – Add Reddy Ice ice cubes, and top with Sparkling Wine (replace with Sparkling White Grape Juice for mocktail version)
• Garnish with Mint, Fresh Berries and Kiwi Slices (with their skins removed)

Laissez les bons temps rouler – let the good times roll…

                                                                                                 Image and recipe courtesy – Cosmopolitan

Paddy’s Day Reddy?

St. Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Celebrating Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and a whole lot of green. So, here is our top drink pick this St. Paddy’s Day.

Green Spider aka Leprechaun Bait

• Place the serving glass in freezer and chill for a frosty cocktail
• Half fill the glass with Reddy Ice
• Gently pour 1.5 oz. of Rum or Vodka (your choice)
• Next, add 0.5 oz. of Green Creme de Menthe
• Fill the glass with remaining Ice Cubes and stir
• Garnish with fresh sprig of mint (or clover leaf for some luck)

Get your Irish on and find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow…

                                                                                                     Image and recipe courtesy – Mashable

Reddy for Magic?

Holi is a Hindu spring festival, originating from the Indian subcontinent, also known as the “festival of colors”. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.

To honor Holi, we encourage you to try this magical color-changing lemonade. You can even try this trick during your next family fun night or make your kids’ birthday party memorable. Adults and children alike will watch in awe as this unique lemonade transforms from brilliant blue to vibrant pink right before their very eyes. Abracadabra!

Butterfly Pea Lemonade

• In a saucepan, combine 3 cups filtered water with 1 cup granulated sugar.
• Stir in 1/2 cup (1/4 oz.) of dried butterfly pea flowers. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, discarding solids. Set aside to cool.
• In a jar or glass measuring cup, combine 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 8-10 lemons) with 2 cups of water.
• To serve, fill glasses with Reddy Ice. Pour cooled butterfly pea syrup into glass, filling about half way.
• Pour lemon mixture over top, and watch the magic happen! Where the lemon meets the syrup, the color will change from blue to pink…

The secret – this supernatural lemonade gets its natural color from the butterfly pea flower, native to Southeast Asia. When the pH of the blue tea is changed, in this case with the addition of lemon juice, it transforms into a vibrant magenta.

                                                                                      Image and recipe courtesy – Love and Olive Oil

Blossom Reddy?

Springtime in Japan is nothing less than magical. From late March to sometimes early May, the country’s iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) capture the attention of everyone alike as their beautiful pink flowers blanket the country in soft, colorful splendor.

The annual cherry blossoms bloom in United States as well. From New Jersey’s Branch Brook Park to International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia, which features over 300,000 cherry trees. Even in Washington, D.C. the cherry blossom trees continue to be a popular tourist attraction and the subject of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

You can also commemorate spring and these pretty pink blooms at home to become a DIY granita expert. We have surely saved the best recipe for last – but we will say that you have earned every single sip of this scrumptious drink…

Spring Blossom Granita

• Crush 3 cups of Reddy Ice to a snow cone like texture
• Mix the ice with 2 cups blueberry basil lemonade – recipe can be found here
• Spoon into glasses and top with a little Champagne
• For a non-alcoholic version, use Club Soda, Sparkling White Grape Juice, or Sprite instead
• Garnish with Edible Pink Flowers and serve!