A Summertime Pleasure for the Over 21…

So you’re over 21 and you’re not getting any younger. Welcome to the club. Age is one of those dear facts of life with which we’re routinely slapped in the face. Remember though, being the lovely age of 35… 52… 76… or… 112, comes with a few perks. One of them, bestowed upon us by legislative dictum, grants us the privilege to imbibe spirits (just as long as we don’t go driving afterward).

There is a time and a place for spirits. For example, you’ve just finished moving gigantic heavy boxes, and you sit down on the stoop while your dry tongue just screams in your mouth for a cold, refreshing beer… or a margarita. Or, you’ve just enjoyed a light, delicious dinner on the veranda and you can’t fathom arising from the table without another wine spritzer. Now imagine… it’s a hot summer day, you’re lounging with your friends by the pool, and you have a craving for dessert… or a drink… or dessert… Well, really you want both dessert and a drink, but your butler’s on vacation, and putting out all that effort to get either of those two things seems completely ridiculous (especially in light of your intention to spend the entire day relaxing).

It’s a terrible thing to waste a magical summer’s day, so here’s a solution to hold you over until your butler returns. Try creating this refreshing drink and dessert all at the same time. It requires one box of red wine (quart size works well), and a freezer. That’s right, boxed red wine and a freezer. Seriously, try it. Take the box of red wine, put it in the freezer, and viola: you have created a delectable summertime dessert and drink in one – a wine popsicle.

To create a more esthetically pleasing version for company, pour the red wine into plastic popsicle molds and put them into the freezer. When mostly frozen, remove them from the mold and arrange on a platter with fresh berries and a sprig of fresh mint. For those who prefer to drink their dessert, I recommend breaking off bits of the frozen wine and dropping them into a glass of sparking fruit juice (or soda) in the flavor of your choice. Enjoy!