I decided to make this recipe one day when I saw some juicy limes at the supermarket that I couldn't pass up. Tucked into one of my fiance's dusty culinary notebooks was a handwritten recipe that sounded strangely exotic and wonderfully refreshing: Sumatran Spiced Limeade.

The name alone made my mouth water, so I stuck the recipe page on the fridge, and proceeded to check my shelves for all ingredients. Coincidentally, there were stalks of lemongrass hanging out on the shelf. Searched through the pantry and found everything else I needed. Perfect!

Limeade Recipe (doubled here to make a larger brew):
Makes 8 cups

• 9 cups of water
• 2 2-inch pieces fresh of ginger
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves (or 1/4 tsp. ground cloves)
• 6 tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 6 stalks of lemongrass
• 6 tsbp. palm sugar

With the handle of a knife, lightly bruise stalks of lemongrass to release its juices. Cut off tips and ends and tie each stalk into a bundle.
In a large pot, add lemongrass, cinnamon sticks, cloves, palm sugar and ginger. Add water on top and bring to a simmer. Do not boil.
Add palm sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
Turn off heat and add lime juice.
Refrigerate until cold. Serve in glass with ice. Add slice of lime and cinnamon stick for garnish.

A note: the original recipe called for 3 whole cloves, but I substituted ground since I didn't have any.

The combination of tart and sweet is perfect for a hot summer day, and the spiciness of the ginger and cloves provides a slight kick. This has become my favorite drink to make during the summer. I've never been to Sumatra, but after sipping this, I am whisked away to the Indonesian island (if only by the tastebuds)!

-Lisa {Pretty Stationery for Beautiful Souls}
http://www.fubabee.com

Continue your celebrations of love well past February with this simple and delicious champagne cocktail. Perfect for a late night rendezvous or breakfast in bed, nothing keeps the heart aflutter like a few well placed bubbles in a little liquid love...

Pink Hearts Champagne Cocktail

There are two requirements for making this recipe. First, is a heart-shaped ice cube tray which you should be able to find fairly easily online. The second thing is a willingness to get a little tipsy.

1 oz of Ice Wine
1 oz of lychee juice
3 oz of dry champagne
2 pomegranate hearts

The night before, make a tray of pomegranate juice ice hearts. I like pomegranate cause the color is gorgeous and it's not too sweet. Alternatively, you could use any pink or red juice, or try mashed fruit -- raspberries and strawberries blended with a little sugar work especially well.

If you have a small shot glass handy, use that to measure out an ounce of Ice Wine. Ice Wine is a dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. It adds a nice depth of flavor to the champagne and is also perfumey. If your shot glass is bigger, fill it up 3/4 full to approximate an ounce.

Or you can skip measurements all together and go by taste. Fill your flute halfway with champagne, add juice/wine mixture till it tastes the way you want and leave enough room to drop in your two ice hearts.

The beauty of this recipe is that it's completely adaptable to your individual tastes. Love mimosas? Substitute 2 oz of OJ for the wine/juice mix and raspberry ice hearts for the pomegranate. Love the tropics? Use 2 oz of mango juice or a tropical blend instead.

For a little extra zip, skip the fruit juice all together and mix 1 oz of fruit-flavored liqueur or brandy and 1 oz of vodka with the champagne and float a single ice heart on top. Delish.

And the easiest version of all? Fill your flute with red hearts, pour the champagne over and let the magic unfold....

This recipe is so lovely, you can use it even if you don't drink. Substitute ginger ale for champagne, pop in your favorite red fruit ice hearts and voila!

Two important things to remember about this recipe:
1. Alcohol doesn't freeze, so don't try to make your ice hearts with alcohol.
2. You're only limited by your taste buds and imagination.

Enjoy!

-- Susan
persuede.etsy.com