CHEERS TO SUMMER!
Woo hoo!!!
It's the first day of summer!
It's the summer solstice!
It's the longest day
and shortest night
of the year!
It's the summer solstice!
It's the longest day
and shortest night
of the year!
And, by the way: today, the strawberry moon* will happen to coincide with the summer solstice, the first time that has happened since 1967, almost 50 years ago. The next one won't occur again until 2062!
~ Toast to Summer Solstice
with this great drink ~
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It’s a cactus
It’s the exotic dragon fruit
It looks like a beautiful vivid pink flower! |
Pitahaya-producing cacti fruit, known in English as Dragon Fruit, is indigenous to Central America, but is also grown and exported from Israel and several Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
Its succulent stem provides the uniquely delicious fruit with moisture in the arid climates where it grows.
Dragon fruit comes in 3 colors ~ 2 have pink skin, but with different colored flesh (one white, like the one I show here, the other red), while another is yellow (looks sort of like a pineapple with spikes), with white flesh.
The flowers are nocturnal, and bloom in full for just one night. That means they have one wonderful evening for a bat or moth to help pollinate it and turn it into a dragon fruit, otherwise the 6” spiky greenish white bloom wilts by sunrise.
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| The Dragon or Pitahaya Fruit grown in Thailand |
The leaves are slightly overlaid, similar to an artichoke on the outside, with a plethora of small, black, edible seeds filling the inside flesh.
The flavor is mildly sweet ~ reminds me of kiwi, with a sort of crunchy texture.
It definitely is a change of pace in the fruit world, but it does have its benefits: It’s high in nutrition, fights diabetes, reduces the signs of aging, strengthens your immune system, helps your hair grow, and is rich in fiber and more. Reducing the signs of aging sold me on it❣
Look for dragon fruit at your local farmer’s market or grocery store to make this soothing little drink.
It’s refreshing, and light, perfect for a summer cocktail ~ dragon fruit, coconut milk, lime juice, which all blends nicely with white rum!
It’s a delight!
Dragon Fruit Colada Cocktail
Printable recipe
Ingredients:
1½ cups ice cubes
¾ cup peeled cubed dragon fruit
2 tablespoons simple syrup**
4 ounces white rum
¼ cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon lime juice
Lime slices for garnish
Method:
Place ice cubes in blender and crush.
Add remaining ingredients, except lime slices, and purée until combined.
Pour into cocktail glasses and garnish with lime slice.
Makes 4 cocktails
**Simple Syrup:
In small saucepan, bring equal amounts of granulated sugar and water to a boil; simmer, stirring occasionally, until clear and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Let cool completely.
Enjoy!
* The strawberry moon is the nickname given to the full moon in the month of June.
