Fall Drink and Snack Pairings with SkinnyPop!

There is nothing quite like autumn in New England!

Well, except this year, when autumn in New England means extreme humidity and mid-summer temperatures...

Then again, that hasn't stopped me from setting out mums and pumpkins on the front porch, going apple picking, and enjoying as many fall drinks and baked goods as possible!

As for everyday snacking, my husband and I always have a bag or two of different SkinnyPop popcorn in our pantry for munching on no matter what time of day it is. My favorite flavors are Sea Salt & Pepper and Aged White Cheddar. SkinnyPop popcorn is full of flavor and incredibly satisfying while still being a light snack you can feel good about all day long.

No matter what fall drink you love, SkinnyPop has a drink and snack pairing that you'll be enjoying straight through Thanksgiving and beyond! These five fall-inspired drinks make my mouth water, and I am even more excited that SkinnyPop has paired each drink with the perfect flavor of popcorn!

I am most excited to mix up a batch of Autumn Pear Mojitos to serve alongside SkinnyPop's Sea Salt & Pepper popcorn. Pears add a slightly sweet and autumn-inspired twist to a classic mojito, and you can really pump up the flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon to the muddled pears and mint. The refreshing cocktail will quench your thirst while also bringing out the flavor of the pepper - a win-win!

Be sure to pin this post so you can always have delicious cocktails to pair with your favorite popcorn flavors! Enjoy responsibly :-)

Raspberry Gin Fizz

Let's call up our closest friends, fire up the grill and drink this fruity, summer cocktail.

This Raspberry Gin Fizz is bubbly and a bit sweet, and every bit boozy. This is the perfect house cocktail for any and every summer celebration. Put this cocktail in your biggest carafe or pitcher and get the party started!

I always recommend enlisting your most trustworthy feline to watch over the beverage...

It starts with every fruit you can think of. A combination of sliced oranges, grapefruit. lemons and limes along with raspberries and pineapple chunks are soaked in a pint of gin lemon juice and a bit of water then chilled for a few hours--fruit infused booze is great booze after all!

For that great fizz, just before serving, pour in club soda and a whole bottle of champagne. Don't forget the sweet and wonderful Chambord for the perfect hint of sweetness. Pour into glass filled with a bunch of ice. Put on your sunglasses, sit back. relax and enjoy the summertime! {Drink Responsibly!}

Mango Mimosas

I want to talk about brunch.

More importantly, I'd like to talk about brunch BEVERAGES.

There are two reasons people like you and I go to brunch. First, because you are hungover after a night out with friends and need to rehash that evening over a big pile of pancakes. Or second, because you are pretending to be hip and trendy but really you just need an excuse to drink before noon.

Perhaps the most classic brunch drink is the mimosa. Orange juice and champagne. It's a timeless drink, the perfect accompaniment to eggs and bacon and french toast.

With mangoes fresh and in season, I thought it'd be a super idea to give the mimosa a makeover. That is how these Mango Mimosas were born.

These mimosas are just divine because they begin with a rich and sweet mango puree.

Tart and bubbly champagne means it's party time.

A twist of lime is the final touch and makes these a fresh, summertime treat.

Call up your friends. Make a frittata. Perhaps some cinnamon buns. Have some good laughs. And enjoy these fantastic mimosas!

S'mores Milkshakes

Are you excited? I mean, this post is about milkshakes. And not just any old milkshake...a milkshake inspired by the epic summer campfire treat--S'MORES!

I can sense your excitement from here! Sure, it's Monday. But that doesn't mean we can't spoil ourselves. This milkshake is the ultimate indulgence.

I was taking a bike ride around Boston the other day; on my way home I started smelling a campfire nearby. I started daydreaming about backyard campfires on warm summer nights and immediately found myself craving s'mores.

For a second I thought about going to the store and getting all the necessary fixings and making a whole bunch of s'mores. Then I decided that was probably not the most socially acceptable thing to do. So, the obvious solution was to make a S'mores Milkshake.

Let me take you through the steps that stand between you and a most delicious dessert treat.

Chocolate ice cream. Creamy, dreamy chocolate ice cream.

Open-flame toasted marshmallows.

Graham crackers! Milk! Everything in a blender! Whizz it up until it's at the consistency that you like.

Lastly, I drizzle each serving with chocolate sauce and stick in a graham cracker and toasted marshmallow for garnish. How ADORABLE are these?!

And if you think they look mouthwatering, just wait until you take your first sip. Sweet chocolate with crunchy bits of graham crackers and toasted marshmallows. The chocolate drizzle takes everything to the next level. This is truly irresistible.

Raspberry Seltzer

Could it be...that spring...may have in fact...sprung?

What a lovely weekend it was. Heck, I even went shopping down on Newbury Street this past Saturday in nothing but a sweatshirt and light scarf! The sunshine and light breeze felt amazing, and the sound of birds chirping in the morning really makes my cat go BONKERS.

I'm not saying that we can pack up our coats and call it quits for winter. There has been blistering winds in Boston this week...not quite flip flop weather.

That doesn't mean that we can't get EXCITED about the prospect of spring. Baseball is back, the summer beers are flooding the liquor stores, and it's light out well after 7 pm!

This Raspberry Selter is sweet and refreshing. It is the perfect beverage for a sunny, breezy afternoon on the porch. If you want to put a splash of vodka in a glass of this, I wouldn't stop you. Heck, I would encourage it.

I should be honest and tell you that I am being a copy cat with this beverage. For any of my Boston friends that have been to Flour Bakery, you may know that they offer a very similar beverage. When paired with one of their delicious sandwiches or salads, it makes for a satisfying afternoon. They just opened a new location about 2 minutes from my office. My life is all the better because of it.

A simple syrup is made with water, sugar, and pint of fresh raspberries. Raspberries are soft and sweet, with just the right amount of tart.

All you do is simmer everything together in a small saucepan on the stovetop for about 30 minutes.

Be sure you are stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and prevent the syrup from burning.

Once the syrup has thickened a bit, remove it from the heat to cool completely. This will thicken the syrup even further, which will make your beverage extra special and extra sweet (just like us!). Strain mixture of seeds and remaining raspberry flesh into a mason jar.

To make this simple yet elegant beverage, fill a glass with ice cubes. Fill halfway with chilled seltzer water, then add lots of the simple syrup. Finish filling the glass with more seltzer and stir to combine.

If seltzer water and bubbles aren't your fancy, perhaps you want to use this syrup to make a raspberry lemonade (I know, now I'm being crazy).

Lemonade....Raspberry Syrup...Lemonade....Viola!

Happy Spring everyone!