Gingerbeer and naartjie slush

Hello summer holidays! I don't have to tell you what that means do I? Well, I will anyway. 

It means beach days and sunburn and sand stuck on your toes all day and  the smell of a braai being lit somewhere and warm sunshine on your face and salty skin and lazing by the pool and soft serve ice cream dripping on your fingers and balmy evenings and... We really do live in the best country don't we? 

Before I get all excited about the beautiful summer holiday we'll be having, I'm actually off to freezing Italy (yes, pity me please!). I've been so looking forward to being snowed on for the first time and eating chestnuts roasted on the fire, and consuming my bodyweight in pasta... Until of course it came to posting this recipe - the last one for 2013. It's just so summery and quite South African with it's naartjie and gingerbeer flavours (hope you didn't miss the Peppermint crisp tart milkshake a while back!). While I sip on this icy slush and ponder just how cold -2 degrees is, it will come as a welcome thirst quencher for the gloriously hot summer ahead. 

The gingerbeer and naartjie slush is so deliciously simple with just the right amount of tang, ginger kick and icy refreshment. It's the perfect drink to serve on a steamy day at a braai with friends or simply to sip on poolside. I've used my Zoku Slush & Shake maker again (everyone should have one of these this summer) to get it all icy and slushy, and okay, I'll be honest, I added a good glug of gin to mine - absolutely scrummy! 

Happy summer holidays - and soak up some sunshine for me will you? Cheers!

Ginger beer and naartjie slush

Serves 2 (if you're feeling generous enough to share)

1 ½ cups freshly squeezed naartjie juice, chilled

1 cup gingerbeer, chilled

Juice from ½ lime

Combine the naartjie juice, gingerbeer and lime and pour into the Zoku Slush & Shake maker. Stir every 60 seconds until thick. 

TIP: A shot of tequila or brandy poured in at the end, makes for a great cocktail!

*This post has been sponsored by the awesome people at Zoku who make an array of gadgets to whip up icy delights! Visit their website here or like the Facebook page for more yummy recipes. You can find the Slush & Shake makers at Boardmans, @Home and CNA stores or at my personal favourite, Yuppiechef.com

Peppermint crisp tart milkshake

You may have noticed that I LOVE taking traditional South African recipes and giving them a fresh new twist. There isn't a South African worth their slip slops that will refuse a scoop of peppermint crisp tart at a braai and when I tried to explain this to Italian boyfriend his reaction was 'What is peppermint crisp?' All of my outrage aside, I had not realised until this moment, that the rest of the earth lives in a world without this glorious confection! Can you just imagine? Shame. 

But don't sympathise too long because what this means, is that there's more for us. Yay. 

 I was given this sexy-looking Zoku Slush & Shake maker in September and have been patiently waiting for the perfect scorcher of a day to take it for a spin. This weekend, it finally happened. Thirty degree heat and I was happy, 'cos I could make my decadent milkshake (which is my take on the peppermint crisp tart) and has been in the back of my mind all along. 

The best part of this milkshake, is that it takes forever to melt because it's made in this clever little gadget. You freeze the core of the Zoku (I just keep it in my freezer so when the urge arises, I can whip up a slushie or milkshake) then just pore in your milk mixture or fruit juice and in minutes, it freezes in front of your eyes. You can even add a little bit of booze... I'll just let that sink in while your mind whirls with all the delicious icy possibilities it can create. Magic stuff. And such a great Christmas gift *hint hint*.

Peppermint crisp tart shakes

Serves 2

1 cup vanilla ice cream

180ml milk

1-2 tbsp caramel

1 peppermint crisp bar, crushed plus extra for garnish

Crushed coconut biscuits, to garnish

Blend the ice cream, milk and caramel until smooth then stir in the crushed peppermint crisp. Pour into the Zoku Slush & Shake and stir until thick. Serve garnished with peppermint crisp pieces and coconut biscuits.

*This post has been sponsored by the awesome people at Zoku who make an array of gadgets to whip up icy delights! Visit their website here or like the Facebook page for more yummy recipes. You can find the Slush & Shake makers at Boardmans, @Home and CNA stores or at Yuppiechef.com