Inspired by raspberries and mint

Summer! It is in full swing. This one has been a hot one for Denver which has been very good for the raspberries in our yard. This past weekend I went outside to discover that our raspberries seemed to have ripened overnight!

I ate some of them right off the bush but I was inspired to make something yummy with them and do it fast before they over ripened.  Then I remembered we also had mint growing in the yard and I knew what to do!  Raspberries + mint = cocktail! 

I didn't want to run to the store so I just used what I had at home.  I am far from being a bartender so I just put together what tasted good to me.  It was a sort of raspberry-mint-lychee vodka drink.

Ingredients:

• handful of ripe raspberries
• about 10 mint leaves
• 1/2 cup lychee juice
• ice cubes
• 1 1/2 shot of vodka
• water
• flowered mint sprigs for garnish

1. Muddle the raspberries and mint together in a glass
2. Add in the lychee juice and vodka
3. Add enough water to your desired level
4. Add as many ice cubes as desired
5. Stir and enjoy!       (And of course you can always leave out the vodka)

And just for fun I thought I'd include this picture of raspberries and hops!  The hops were a wonderful surprise that I discovered while hunting for more raspberries.  Mr. H is a home brewer and he had wanted to plant hops.  If these hops are good, he won't have to!  I see some yummy framboise ale in my future!

All of these garden goodies were planted by the previous owners and we are reaping the rewards.  It's one of the best gifts anyone could receive from previous homeowners!