Summer is in full bloom, and so is my balcony!

If you hadn’t seen over on my Instagram, I committed to the purchase of four herb plants. Oregano, chives, mint, and parsley:

Is it normal to feel like a protective mother over plants? I woke up in the middle of a huge rainstorm (that’s what we’ve been going through down here in Houston lately, if you hadn’t heard) just to run out to the balcony and check on my little babies. They were ok, just in case you were worried too.

Anyhow, one of my favorite fresh herbs that inspired this need for an urban garden is mint. I love adding it to fruity recipes and sauces, but the true addiction is minty drinks. At Megan’s birthday she served The Southside which is a fabulous mixture of lime, mint, and gin… what’s not to like? After making 100 of these cocktails for friends and family alike, I needed a little break from the norm. How about a refreshing mojito?

Now I know you’re thinking, Julia, I know how to make a mojito. Lime, mint, rum, BAM – delicious. So let’s one up the classic drink by freezing it into a popsicle for the summer! The biggest change was swapping out the club soda for normal water, and tossing a little extra lime juice in to concentrate the flavor. You’ll feel like a kid again licking sweet juice off your fingers as it melts down the sides of your hand in the hot sun… minus the alcohol. We’re adults now though, we can have a little extra fun.

 

Popsicle molds from Ikea