The Lazy Hostess: Pretty, Easy Cocktails

Summer's not over yet, and this upcoming Labor Day Weekend is the perfect excuse to enjoy some fruity cocktails by the pool (given your pool has not been infested by Crypto). Lucky for you, the great country of Mexico was kind enough to share their delicious fruit nectars with the gringo. Jumex Nectars come in a blue can and can easily be found (in Texas at least) in either the Mexican foods section or the funky soda aisle of your local grocer. Available flavors include Apricot, Peach, Guava, Apple, Pineapple, Mango, Pear, Plum, Papaya-Pineapple, and Strawberry Banana. At only 33 cents a can (which is what my local store was charging), you can afford to pick up one of each and start mixing.






Mango, Guava, Peach or Pineapple would be delicious with some bubbly. Pour a little bit of nectar into a champagne flute, top off with some André, and you're good to go. Or, if you adore you some pear-flavored vodka, you could a shake up shot or two with some of the Pear nectar for a martini that is muy delicioso.

If you are fortunate enough to live in the vicinity of a Target that sells alcohol, you can also fake some homemade sangria. The super-cute Wine Cubes offer both red and white sangria. My favorite is the white sangria. Just pour some into a glass of ice, add some fresh fruit, and everyone will think that you actually made an effort. You could even kill two birds with one stone and use frozen fruit instead of both ice and fresh fruit. How fun!

You can even attempt to recreate my beloved Sparkling Mango Sangria from La Cubanita. Fill a large wine glass with ice, pour in a few splashes of Mango Jumex, followed by some Target white sangria, then top it all off with some sparkling wine. It doesn't taste exactly like the real thing, but it's close enough.

Now that I have given you all these ridiculously simple drink ideas, there's no excuse why you shouldn't greet me at the door this weekend with a fabulous cocktail. Oh, and don't forget to wear one of these: