Delectable Drink Recipes for Labor Day

It may be called Labor Day, but these fun beverage suggestions are intended to help you take a refreshing respite from your labors and enjoy the moment on this special day or any other day you deem special. As far as I'm concerned, taking a few moments to enjoy a little relaxation or celebration of your own festive occasion is almost always a welcome notion.

My first two drink suggestions are alcohol-infused libations, if the time is right for a slightly spiked spirit. These beverage choices are adapted from an article I wrote about low carb cocktails, so not only do they make for a refreshing taste sensation, but as an added bonus, they won't bog you down with excess carb consumption.

The first yummy delight is called a Blueberry Club Sparkler. For this light, crisp refreshment, simply mix club soda or sparkling water with blueberry flavored vodka (or create your own variation with another flavored vodka of your choice). This lovely libation is about as low carb as you can get. I think that club soda mixed with blueberry flavored vodka tastes like a less sweet variation on an Italian soda, spiked. Bellissimo!

Your second fruity and fantastic drink is called a Limelight Tropical Delight. Raw lime (and lemon) juice is very low in carbs and although this may initially sound too tart for your taste buds, it can make a great drink mixer if you sweeten it yourself with a lower carb sugar substitute such as Splenda. Add a few splashes of your favorite rum to your sweetened lime (or lemon) juice mixture, adorn with a cocktail umbrella, maybe even light up a Tiki torch for that extra special ambience and hurrah! You have a delectably spiked citrus delight that won't bloat your belly.

As I mentioned, those two Labor Day drink recipes were adapted from an article I wrote about low carb cocktails; if you'd like more information and additional delicious low carb drink suggestions, the whole article is available here.

If you happen to be more of a beer lover than a mixed drink kind of gal or guy, my companion piece article about low carb beer choices is available here.

If you'd rather forgo alcohol and enjoy a healthier Labor Day drink, then how about an extra-special milkshake? I recently whipped up this delectable concoction for myself and although I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the finished product, I must say I was impressed. I can't claim all the credit for myself, because I got my inspiration for this delicious drink from a milkshake I acquired years ago at a gourmet ice cream shop. The shakes offered at this shop boasted creative names (like the 'Charm School Reject') and equally creative ingredients lists. Some of the ingredient combinations sounded a little unlikely at first, but in my experience, being willing to try an unusual juxtaposition often brings very good results. In this instance, I tried a milkshake called 'The Blue Eyeshadow', which combined blueberry and chocolate flavors and golly, was it ever slurptastic.

I recently recalled that fabulous milkshake and decided to try to re-enact it inside my own blender-and now you can, too. In the spirit of creative names, I'll call this creation The Blue Poodle, but you can call your own variation whatever you please. To whip this pretty little pooch into sipping shape, adjust for your own tastes while adding a mix of the following ingredients into your blender: ice, milk, lots of fresh blueberries, and plenty of chocolate-based ice cream (I used Rocky Road). Blend, pour into a glass, add a twisty straw, and enjoy.