I am SO excited to have spabettie here today! This is a girl after my own heart! I love my grapefruit margaritas, so these Grapefruit Thyme Mimosa-Ritas are calling my name! I am so thankful for amazing bloggers who are stepping in to share their creative side with TCB readers while I’m away! I hope you’ll be sure to visit her site and of course leave a comment somewhere!

Grapefruit Thyme Mimosa-Ritas

There are two times of year when I do the most entertaining – around the holidays, and all summer long. We have a thing at our place called Happy Hour at Home, which can be anything from an impromptu ‘stop by after work’ to a planned and prepped for function.

From a little party around the game on television or a fun movie night, to a pre function on the patio before heading to dinner – we love to have people over to our place!

The impromptu versions may not have as many finger foods and creative cocktails, but they can still be a fun and relaxed time. Planning ahead definitely brings a better menu – choose foods that can be made ahead or finished right as guests arrive.

A few easy appetizer ideas:

assorted nuts and dried fruits (good to have on hand for impromptu visits)

Pulled Porcini Sliders

Avocado Shiitake Spring Rolls with Spicy Coconut Almond Sauce

Spicy Thai Totchos

Ginger Lime Brussels Sprouts

Spicy Buffalo Flatbreads

Fresh Ginger Anjou Pear Cobbler

When choosing a beverage – if you know the preferred tastes of the people you’ve invited, a signature cocktail cuts down on your bartending duties. This is one of my go to steps to a relaxed party as a host – settle on one or two signature cocktails that can be made ahead of time, and guests can serve themselves.

These Grapefruit Thyme Mimosa-Ritas recently went for a test run tasting at our place (recipe testing – a great reason to throw a shindig!), and everyone loved them. We had a brunch crowd, and these were a cooling concoction for an already warm day.

Grapefruit Thyme Mimosa-Ritas

YIELD: serves 5-6

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups Ruby Red Grapefruit juice

juice of 1 large Melogold grapefruit

juice of 2 limes

3 sprigs fresh lemon thyme (additional for garnish)

1 1/2 cups crushed ice

1 1/2 cups tequila (Cazadores Reposado is my favorite)

1 1/2 cups Prosecco or Champagne

agave to sweeten (optional)



INSTRUCTIONS:

In a blender, combine the grapefruit juices, lime juice, thyme, and crushed ice – blend to a slushy consistency*. Transfer to a serving pitcher, add tequila, Prosecco, and sweetener if using. Stir to combine, serve and enjoy!

*Optionally, you can add crushed ice without blending for a ‘on the rocks’ version.

*Printable Version below.

Cheers!

Kristina is better known online as spabettie, where she shares vibrant plant based recipes, stories of her two dachshunds – Basil and Rosemary – and life in culinary mecca Portland Oregon.

Follow her shenanigans on twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, as well as spabettie.com.