hey guys! welcome to the 2nd installation of summer fridays! a new weekly blog series i'll be sharing this summer all about easy-peasy, low-key snacks, bites, and beverages :) last week was all about this vibrant açaí bowl, but today we're talking strictly hydration in the form of this stellar little sipper!

i seriously cannot believe it's july, guys! and that we're almost in the thick of summer already! frank and i are still in the middle of trying to get all things baby organized before my mid-september due date. after last summer of shooting my book and completing the manuscript, and having a pretty turbulent/life-changing fall and winter i'm ready to seriously chill out a bit. i feel like i haven't been in a peaceful place, like i haven't slowed down once since taking on this blog, and working freelance full-time. so, in an effort to take care we're planning to lay low this summer, celebrate some weddings with friends, and maybe take a long weekend vacation at some point. i fully plan to take advantage of any free time though and drive out to eastern long island where there are a ton of salty sea air farms that grow the tastiest of produce (and my favorite peaches!), and hopefully taking in some beautiful beaches as well. what are your plans? (i love to live vicariously through other people's summer vacations!) ;)

as i mentioned in my last post, my all-time favorite summer beverage go-to is rosé, and since i won't be partaking in any for quite a while, i came up with an equally fun and bright drink to slurp this summer! it's been getting me through the hottest and steamiest of days, because this whole carrying around another human inside you is no joke, especially in 80-90° temps! i've been using summer berries in this drink for the last few weeks, but raspberries are finally becoming available at the market around here so i was super excited to put them to use. although, i can't wait until stone fruit season is in full swing - i think they would be way awesome all crushed up here, too!

in any event, i know i'm going to making a slew of these this weekend with all the 4th of july festivities going on, and i so hope this little recipe provides you with some fizzy inspiration, whether you booze it up or not ;)

xo's and happy friday!

Summer Fridays! Fizzy Lemon-Limeade w/ Crushed Raspberries | dolly and oatmeal

fizzy lemon-limeade w/ crushed raspberries | v

feel free to make this a spritzer kind of deal with your favorite wine (my personal go-to would be a nice crisp rosé.), or if vodka or gin is your thing booze it up!

| makes 2 drinks |

a couple handfuls fresh raspberries
1 large lemon, juiced
1 lime, juiced
2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, raw honey, or raw agave
24 ounces sparkling water
ice

method

divide the raspberries between 2 large glasses and crush them with a fork. in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lime juice, and 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (or sweetener of choice), depending on how sweet you want the drink or how sweet your berries are. divide the lemon-lime juice mix and sparkling water between the 2 glasses and add a couple pieces of ice. garnish with extra lemon or lime slices.

enjoy!