One of my favorite summers was when I was probably 12. My ma’s always been a big Stephen King fan, and that summer, the Green Mile books came out (remember, it was first released as a six-part series). It was too hot to be outside, and to avoid the boredom of being trapped inside all day, my mom, Amanda, and I read the books out loud together. Amanda and me laying in front of a box fan, icy glasses of sun tea at the ready, misting ourselves with a spray bottle (no AC? No problem!), while my mom’s voice transported us to the 1930s, to the deep South. I remember those days so clearly… the three of us together, the dry heat, the mystery of John Coffey.
Later that summer, the spell was broken when my ma got to a particularly tense part in the book, and stumbled over some dialogue… cautiously spelling out “F-U-C-K, Percy said!” Amanda and I laughed hysterically and our little book club lost its steam. After that summer, Amanda and I started spending summer days out and about with friends, and my mom (who had been a stay-at-home mom most of my childhood) got a full time job. We kind of grew up and moved on. But I loved those lazy days, reading those books together.
For me, those Green Mile days are just as vivid as the lush garden and fresh tomatoes, towels on the clothesline, sherbert for dinner, the trail of dust when my dad pulled in the driveway every evening after work. Quintessential summer memories.
Another quintessential part of my childhood summers? Wine coolers. Not for me, for my mom. She loved her wine coolers, and often made her own with grapefruit soda and wine. I stayed away from wine coolers for a long time—they get a bad rap, ya know? You know what doesn’t get a bad rap? White wine spritzers. They’re sophisticated and classy. You guys! It’s a wine cooler in disguise! These sweet, fruity sparklers are also wine coolers in disguise.
For the 4th of July, Amanda made a big pitcher of white sangria with sweet, fresh summer stone fruits, and we added a splash of my favorite coconut La Croix, and amazing things happened. These are basically that, but rather than going the full pitcher route, we’re keeping it simple and accessible. Like 3 ingredient, as easy as possible simple. It is Wednesday, after all.
Coconut Nectarine White Wine Spritzers
Nectarine slices
Ice
White wine (a basic white blend/table white*)
Coconut LaCroix (or other coconut soda water)
Smash 2 nectarine slices in the bottom of each glass, and fill with ice. Fill glass a little over half way with white wine, and the rest of the way with coconut flavored soda water.
*I used Maryhill Winemaker's White, which we had at our wedding! Maryhill is near my hometown!
Wait, there's more! Here's the full list of amazing summer drinky dranks by other awesome food bloggers!
#DRINKTHESUMMER:
With Food + Love | Fresh Heirloom Bloody Marys with Old Bay and Spicy Pickles
Will Frolic for Food | The Sugar Hollow: Watermelon Gin Cocktail with Cardamom and Lime
Kale & Caramel | Sweet Coconut, Hibiscus & Lime Slushie
Hummingbird High | Thyme Lemonade
Brooklyn Supper | Bloody Maria Cocktails
Cake Over Steak | Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail
Dunk & Crumble | Ginger Peach Whiskey Smash
Tasty Yummies | When Figs Fly: Spiced Rum Fig Kombucha Cocktail
Feed Me Phoebe | Pimm’s Cup Cocktail with Fresh Ginger, Lime and Tarragon
Earthy Feast | Strawberry, Basil and Pink Peppercorn Negroni
Ginger & Toasted Sesame | Blackberry Peach Margarita with Spicy Salt
my name is yeh | Nutella Egg Cream
Beard and Bonnet | Pineapple and Cilantro Moscow Mule
The Pancake Princess | Strawberry Balsamic Shrubs
Edible Perspective | Rosé Slushies
Vegetarian ‘Ventures | Sparkling Peppered Plum Blush
The Broken Bread | Blackberry, Cucumber and Mint Gin Spritzer
Tending the Table | Plum Spritzer with Ginger and Kafir Lime
Appeasing a Food Geek | Sugar Plum Margarita
She Eats | Fizzy Lime and Blackberry Shrub
holly & flora | Pimm’s Cup with Blackberry and Lemon Zest Shrub
Vigor and Sage | Peachy Tomato Basil Gin and Tonic
The Pig & Quill | Raspberry Basil Gingerade Fizz
Hungry Girl por Vida | Peanut Butter and Berry Smoothie
A Brown Table | Fig and Bourbon Summer Smash
Fix, Feast, Flair | Berry Peachy Kentucky Mules
le jus d’orange | Peach Yogurt Soju and Ginger Plum Kombucha Cocktail
Chocolate + Marrow | Raspberry Thyme Smash
The Bojon Gourmet | Basil Pluot Pimm’s Cup
Snixy Kitchen | Sparkling Asian Pear and Mint Iced Tea
what’s cooking good looking | Watermelon Basil Colada
Salt & Wind | Watermelon Aperol Spritzes