Joy in the Kitchen 

Valentine's Day Sangria

1 Green apple chopped
2 Blood oranges (juiced)
3 Strawberries
1 Bottle Rose Wine
1/3 cup Rum (white)
Chill and add 7up or Sprite before serving
Garnish with sliced strawberries

Watermelon Punch

Create a syrup. 
1/2 cup sugar, pinch of salt, chopped basil and hold 2 cups lemonade aside.
Mix in a saucepan on low heat until sugar dissolves. 
Let stand 30 minutes.

Blend chunks of watermelon into a liquid.  Strain watermelon puree and mix with sugar syrup and lemonade.
Serves 8.




 Mimosa Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 box vanilla cake mix
1 1/4 cups champagne, divided
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 teaspoon s orange zest
1 cup (2 sticks butter) softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Gold sanding sugar
Orange wedges for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine cake mix with 1 cup of champagne, vegetable oil, eggs and 1 teaspoon orange zest.  Bake according to package directions.  Let cool completely before frosting.

Meanwhile, make Champagne Frosting-
using a hand mixer beat butter until light and fluffy.  Add 3 cups powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain.  Add remaining 1/4 cup champagne, vanilla, remaining orange zest, pinch of salt and beat until combined.  Add remaining 1 cup powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Frost cooled cupcakes , garnish with gold sanding sugar and orange wedges.