Happy Friday, guys!
What’s in store for the weekend? We’ll be checking out a Tomato Festival happening in our neighborhood, which looks extremely entertaining and delicious. I’m anticipating plenty of salsa sampling (the dip, hopefully not the dance), Bloody Mary sipping, and live music, because it’s Nashville after all. I may also sit out on our balcony, watch the sunset, and partake in a Skinny Orange Peach Sparkler.
For me, ‘skinny’ drinks and girl talk go hand in hand, so that’s what you’re getting with this post, along with a little update on our lives in Nashville! Lord knows B’s been subject the brunt of my girl talk conversations as we’ve been spending a whoooole lot of time together navigating a new city. I’m 99.9% sure he’ll appreciate a rest from hearing me chirp about the Real Housewives and shoes. 🙂
Firstly – did anyone catch ‘Jersey Belle‘ on Bravo this week? Oh my GAWD. I think I’ve found my new favorite show. While I’d say my situation (being from New Jersey and now living in the South) is a little less extreme than Jaime’s, I can relate to so many things! The whole Roquefort grape thing was a total mystery to me, and I grew up learning life was best lived loudly and filled with emotion. With a plate full of lasagna and cannoli.
B is also a fan of the show – simply because it’s a Bravo show where multiple women aren’t screaming at each other at the same time. Back-to-back RHONY reunion shows almost did him in.
Thankfully there are a good chunk of people in Nashville who hail from elsewhere so I don’t stick out (too much) like a sore thumb, but I will say that I’ve been called out at the local coffee shop for pronouncing coffee – “caw-fee”. What are you tawkin’ about ‘caw-fee’?! Ugh. It was easy to deny having a teensy Jersey accent back in New Jersey (…probably because we all sounded the same), but down here it’s sort of obvious. I still haven’t jumped on the “y’all” train, but maybe that’ll come with time.
We live near a weekly farmer’s market where this week B and I seriously contemplated buying a gallon of blueberries. A gallon. To split between the both of us! That’s crazy, right? We settled on two pints instead, but at the rate they’re disappearing, maybe the gallon wouldn’t have been such a bad idea after all…
I guess we should talk about this fab drink now, huh? This sparkler has a tequila base, which is mixed with reduced-sugar orange juice, peach nectar, and peach sparkling water. Relaxation in a glass!
I’m a margarita fan, but felt like something fruitier with a few bubbles to sit outside with on one hot and humid evening (…one of many hot and humid evenings). Since I didn’t have champagne or sparkling wine on hand I knew I had to get creative – which is exactly what happened. This summer I’ve gotten myself addicted to peach sparkling water (nothing fancy – just store brand), so I figured adding some to this cocktail would add the fizz I was looking for, enhance the peach flavor, and limit calories. Yes, yes and yes. Perfect, right?
As with a lot of my recipes, there is serious wiggle room here for you to customize this drink. Any type of OJ will do, along with unflavored sparkling water or seltzer. I typically don’t have peach nectar sitting around, but I had picked up a can on a whim in the international foods aisle for $0.49 the week prior. Forty-nine cents! Each can yields enough to make approximately four to five drinks. Stir everything up and pour over ice – you’re done! Easy peasy.
- 1.5 oz silver tequila
- 2.5 oz reduced-sugar orange juice (regular is OK, too)
- 2.5 oz peach nectar
- 2.5 oz peach-flavored sparkling water (plain seltzer is OK, too)
- Ice
- Pour all ingredients over ice in a glass and stir!
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
Oooooo, I love everything about this sparkler. Looks pretty, sounds delicious!
Isn’t living close to a farmer’s market the best? It sounds like you are having fun exploring Nashville!
Alyssa says
Thanks Ashley! And YES – love the farmer’s market! So convenient and it makes you feel good supporting local businesses, you know?
Sues says
I really do think I could eat a gallon of blueberries… I could also drink a few glasses of this sparkler, especially after the Monday I had!!
Alyssa says
Haha oof, well I hope your Tuesday was better than your Monday! I’m thinking next week we definitely need to splurge on the gallon!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
The color of this drink is so vibrant and beautiful! Sipping on something this refreshing while enjoying the last days of summer might just be the thing to do right now. Hope you had a great weekend, friend!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kathi! I hope you had a great weekend, too! You’re so right – this is definitely a summer drink. So refreshing when it’s hot out! Though I’d totally be willing to layer on a sweatshirt and enjoy it in the fall! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
A tomato festival sounds so fun! You’ll have to write about what you thought of it! I would love the tomato sampling, but especially in Bloody Marys! 🙂 What a beautiful drink, Alyssa! I love the orange and peach flavor combination!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle! And oh gosh the tomato festival. I’m afraid it was so hot and humid I forgot to take any pictures! It was a lively event that’s for sure – and the costumes! So funny.
Anna Johnston says
You had me at skinny…. LOL 🙂
This little bevie sounds delicious and oh so refreshing, and Nashville sounds awesome too.
Alyssa says
Haha that’s a great quality of this drink, Anna! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Deb says
Nashville sounds delightful! And so does the Orange Peach Sparkler! Have a wonderful weekend!
Alyssa says
Thanks Deb! Hope you had a great weekend, too!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
I love the colour of this drink. It looks so yum and refreshing!
Alyssa says
Thanks Olivia!
Kelly says
This looks so pretty and refreshing! Love the summery flavors, it sounds perfect for ringing in the weekend 🙂 Have lots of fun at the tomato festival this weekend!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kelly! I love the orange and peach flavors together. Definitely a great drink for ringing in the weekend! 🙂
Terri says
What a refreshing drink… and peach nectar is one of my all time favorite childhood juices ( or should I say one of my all time childhood nectars?!?!) Combine it with orange juice and sparkling water/ soda….. pour me up one ( or possibly two!) and lets sit by the beach and chat!!! 🙂
Happy Sunset Watching!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This looks so refreshing, which is much needed right now.
Alyssa says
Thanks Dannii!! 🙂
marcie says
This is my kind of drink, and that color is so sunny and pretty it’s gotta be a mood booster! Have fun at the tomato festival!
Alyssa says
Definitely a mood booster, Marcie! Thanks! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
I even love the name of this delicious sounding drink! So yum and summer fresh! Pinned!
Alyssa says
Thanks Kristi! It’s a summer drink for sure! And thanks for the pin! 🙂
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Well, Alyssa, if I’d gone into that same ‘caw-fee’ shop I think they would have called me out as well! I would have been asking for my ‘KOFF-ee’ and I’m sure getting a good guffaw in response!
At least you are making friends with the neighbours!
As for the drink, well it sounds pretty heavenly! It’s been almost like summer over here in Australia this week, so it would be just perfect!
Alyssa says
Haha we’d be quite a pair in there, Helen! They were good-natured about it and had a bit of a laugh (as did I!). And yes, all this talk of heat and humidity may not apply to your current surroundings, but I know our situations will be flipped come a few months from now. I for one am looking forward to the in-between fall/spring weather!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I would love a beautiful glass of this skinny delight this morning!
Alyssa says
Thanks Jocelyn!