Happy Labor Day, guys! It’s a holiday so I’m declaring that a cocktail recipe absolutely flies on a Monday. Spending a glorious weekday outside of an office and away from a desk definitely deserves a little cin cin, don’t you think?
Before I dive in (maybe literally) to this delightful drink, let me share a little beverage back story. By and large I am not a risk taker. In fact, my middle name might just be “risk adverse”. I start to sweat when I think about purchasing something ‘final sale’ and feel my heart race if the low gas warning light goes on in my car. I’ve taken test drives to important places for important things ahead of time, (hello, CPA exam appointments), because Lord knows my nerves would be shot should I take one wrong turn.
I also rarely impulse buy anything because my brain takes a super long time to work out the logistics. Do I need this item, or do I just want it? Do I have something like this already? How many times will I use/wear it? Can I make it instead? Can I find it cheaper online? Usually whoever I’m with will have found a chair to sit in by the time I’ve run through those questions because ten minutes spent analyzing a cupcake corer is really 9 min 30 sec too long.
So color me surprised by my easy breezy decision to buy a large bottle of pink moscato at the store a few weeks ago. Even though I’ve never had moscato. But whatever look at how adventurous I can be!!
Turns out I am not a fan of moscato. I really don’t know anything about it so I don’t want to judge them all by the massive bottle I now own, but oof. It pains me to waste things so said bottle was assigned to sit on the loose papers in our kitchen to prevent them from being blown all over by the ceiling fan. For probably forever.
Until I saw this fab mango moscato smoothie from Annie at Maebells. It looked so fruity! And refreshing! And not so moscato-y! Girl is a genius.
Like its inspiration, this moscato cooler is packed with fruit and is wonderful to cool down with in this warm weather (September, Shmeptember…it’s still so hot here!). Overly sweet drinks just about make my teeth hurt, so this one is juuust sweet enough to be easily sippable without giving you a sugar rush. I love adding seltzer or sparkling water to cocktails for this very reason – bubbles and a little bit of flavor (such as in this skinny orange peach sparkler) without the sugar and calories of other traditional mix ins. Win!
Plus strawberry + kiwi + lime = yum.
So while the school buses are revving up (or have been for a few weeks – geez, Nashville!), this is the perfect way to extend summer a little longer. Even while you’re eying up that can of pumpkin in your pantry…
- 2 cups strawberries, stems removed and chopped
- 2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup seltzer
- 1 cup ice
- 1 tbsp agave nectar
- 8 oz. pink moscato
- juice of one lime
- More ice, for serving
- Sugar for rimming glasses, optional
- Place strawberries, kiwis, and a little bit of seltzer (enough to keep the fruit blending evenly) into the bowl of a food processor and blend until mixture is mostly smooth.
- Strain fruit mixture and pour into blender. Add remaining amount of seltzer, ice, agave nectar, moscato, and lime juice and blend all until smooth.
- For an extra snazzy twist for serving, roll the outside rim of a glass in water, and then in granulated sugar until rim is coated completely. Add ice to glass and pour moscato mixture over top. Garnish with additional fruit if you'd like.
anna@shenANNAgans says
Now I know it’s unseasonal for me to say this but “Yes please….. can you pour me one?”
Alyssa says
Absolutely Anna – no matter what time of year! 🙂
Phil @MyJuiceCleanseRecioes says
This is worth trying. Love the mixture of strawberry and kiwi. I’ll definitely add this to our future fruit & wine smoothies. Thanks for sharing.
marcie says
I’ve never had moscato, but this is really making me think I’m missing out! This cocktail looks so refreshing and delicious, and I love that you took that risk and bought a big bottle. Can’t go wrong with pink can you? haha Pinning!
Valerie says
What a beautiful drink! It has a very luxurious look to it. Can’t wait to try it!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
It’s almost Fall but it still feels like Summer here so this cooler is the perfect treat for these hot afternoons!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Healthy wine, yes!!! Can’t wait to try.
Jess @ WhatJessicaBakedNext says
These coolers sound and look amazing, Alyssa! Strawberry and kiwi are my two favourite fruits- so I definitely need to bookmark the recipe to try! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Oh my gosh Alyssa – I need a little bit of you in MY personality. I am totally an impulse buyer and I’m not risk adverse. Which means, I end up with a LOT of stuff I don’t need. 🙂 I need to practice control. Hahaha! Probably not going to happen. In the meantime, I can contemplate doing that with this awesome Strawberry Kiwi Moscato Cooler! 😉
Alyssa says
Haha Kristi! I’d love to learn a little bit from your ways. I’d love to be a little more spontaneous sometimes! 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
This drink looks so refreshing. I love the strawberry kiwi combination. I’ve never had Moscato, so I’m not sure what it tastes like. I am so hesitate when it comes to trying new things. If I can get a sample…yes, I will try it but I can’t commit to a full size. 😀
Alyssa says
I usually hesitate with new things, too, Cindy – which is why I surprised myself with the moscato. It’s a little too sweet on its own for my taste (at least the kind I got), but I love it mixed with fruit. I certainly didn’t buy a pricey bottle, but I’m glad it’ll get put to good use now! 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Okay Alyssa, I think you one upped me for sure! 😉 I am totally in love with this! Strawberries and Kiwi and wine?! YUM! I am making this..like right now! 🙂
Alyssa says
Ooh I don’t know about that, Annie – frozen mango is seriously SUCH a good idea. Fruit + wine is a delish combo for sure! 🙂
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Like you, I am also very risk-averse. But unlike you, I love moscato! And definitely anything sparkling. This looks like perfection!
Alyssa says
Haha maybe I just need to try a different kind – I usually love sparkling drinks!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
What a gorgeous drink! I love the pretty color! Strawberry and kiwi go perfectly together and sounds so refreshing in here 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Kelly! It’s definitely refreshing, and I love the color, too! 🙂
Danielle says
Strawberry and kiwi go so well together, love that you combined them in this drink. Beautiful pictures too!
Alyssa says
Thank you Danielle! I love that flavor combo, too.
Zainab says
All Mondays should start like this!! I love strawberries and kiwis together!!
Alyssa says
Thanks Zainab! I agree!!
Deb says
What a luxurious drink, perfect foe the lazy holiday weekend! Cheers!
Alyssa says
Thank you Deb! My thoughts exactly. 🙂
Lynette says
Wow! A great drink to toast to the end of summer. Very funny post today.
Alyssa says
Thanks! Though all week it’ll be in the 90s, so looks like summer will drag out until the bitter end! 🙂