Frozen Cherry Espresso Martini

Can you hear the sounds of sleeping children late into the afternoon? Feel the heat of the sun as you read a book at the beach? The preparation and planning for a trip that will take the family to exciting places. This is the beginning of SUMMER!

No matter how old we get, it is impossible to not remember looking forward to the end of school and the beginning of time with friends. Riding bikes, beach days, travel, and even summer jobs. Summer enables us to have a break in our routines and spend a bit more time with the people we love discovering something new. There are also many things to celebrate in June. Graduation ceremonies from high school and college fill our calendars. There never seems to be enough tissue as we watch our kids take the next big step toward a life of their own. Commencement is the culmination of years of hard work for both parents and students.

One of the true definitions of summertime is the Summer Solstice. June 20th at 7:41pm is that moment in 2025. This

is when the earths tilt toward the sun is at a maximum, and the sun appears at its highest elevation. While that may be too much science for some, in simpler terms, it’s the day of the year with the most daylight. Extended daylight is said to create a better mood in us humans and a stronger ability to relax and create. Regardless of the star, sun and moon gazing charts, it’s extra time to spend outside, have picnics and outside dinners, and daylight for gardening and parties.

While we have the extra sunshine, Father’s Day is the highlight celebration. June 15th means it’s time for Dad’s to get pampered and praised for all they mean to us. Dad’s take us to the father/daughter dance, cheer at every sporting event, give a stern look to the new boyfriend, and inspire their children to work hard to do great things. The men that symbolize a father in our lives are special and provide us with guidance and strength. So, it’s time to pamper the dad’s as they sit in their chair and relax with a cool summertime drink. Because REAL DADS DRINK FROZEN DRINKS!!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 ounces vodka

• 2 ounces coffee liqueur

• 1-ounce vanilla syrup

• 3-4 ounces frozen espresso

• 1.5 cups frozen cherries (use fresh dark sweet cherries)

• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (can be left out)

• 1 cup ice

• Martini glass

HINT: Make espresso ahead of time and freeze in ice cube tray.

MIXOLOGY

Pour vodka, coffee liqueur, vanilla syrup, frozen espresso and cherries into a blender. Add ice. Blend until well mixed. Consistency should be like a frozen drink. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Trim glass with a cherry.