Sparkling Cocktails for a Late Summer Girl's Night

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Invite the girls over for a late summer party. This post has all of the sparkling cocktail recipes and entertaining tips you’ll need including: Campari Pops, Sparkling Sangria and Mandarin Jello Shots!

There are occasions when I’m jealous of the dudes. The whole peeing standing up bit is pretty convenient. The taking your shirt off when it’s hot out seems to work well for them. There’s the not having to birth babies part. And then there’s that glass ceiling bit that they don’t have to deal with. But when it comes down to it, I’m so glad I’m a gal. Really, truly.

For one, although birthing babies really is brutal, I wouldn’t put it off on the hubs (what would I hold over him, after all). For second, girlfriends are amazing. We can talk about our feelings. We can gossip about celebs. And we can laugh about poopy diapers. Dudes don’t do that. At least not the ones I’ve been around.

I’ve been missing my gals lately, so I decided it was high-time to have a ladies night in. So we could do all of the aforementioned talking, gossiping and laughing, but also for a little SPARKLE.

My gals and I love some bubbly, but instead of champagne, I was inspired by Canada Dry Sparkling Seltzer Water. With no calories or artificial flavors, it’s the perfect solo drink and also a really great mixer for some perfectly sparkling cocktails. You can get it at select Walmart stores in the flavored water aisle.

The Cocktails

Campari Pops

First up on the menu: Campari Pops! A little frozen treat for these hot summer days.

Mix 12 ounces (1 can) of Sparkling Seltzer (I love the Mandarin flavor for this recipe), 12 ounces of your favorite grapefruit juice, and 6 ounces of Campari in a pitcher and stir.

Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, and add a few slices of orange if you’re so inclined.

Freeze overnight, then to release from the molds, simply run under hot water for a few secs. Serve immediately.

Sparkling Mandarin Jello Shots

Bring 4 ounces of seltzer to a boil and stir in 10 teaspoons of flavored gelatin. Stir until the powder dissolves, then add the remaining 8 ounces of seltzer, and 1 1/2 cups of your booze-de-jour. I like rum for this, but do whatcha gotta do.

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and pour into molds.

Allow to set for four hours or ideally, overnight.

Top with little mandarin orange slices, if you like and serve!

Sparkling Mandarin Sangria

Mix 1/4 cup of sugar, the juice of one orange, and a dry white wine in a large pitcher.

Stir until well mixed, and add a variety of your favorite citrus slices.

Chill for at least four hours. When serving, pour into a glass and top with sparkling seltzer. This is the perfect “all day” sipper!

The Supplies

What’s better than a little drink, a little gab, a little pampering and a lot of girl time? Nothing if you ask me ! Set up a few nail polish stations with some of those gossipy mags we never really get a chance to read. I was inspired by the cocktails and got a lot of nail polish in citrus hues.