The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without cocktails. And it had been awhile since I flirted with flavors and mixed up new concoctions. And to be fair, this one isn't exactly new. Think of it as upgraded for the new year. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with great friends over the break: friends that are family. And thanks to Ericka, I had moments in these last few weeks where I forgot life's routines and responsibilities, the work and the circumstance and just... had... fun. I felt like a little girl again, sliding down a long curvaceous driveway in my sled, as we raced down and laughed and crashed and whizzed past each other.

I like the idea of moms having play dates too. Add that to my list of resolutions for 2009: monthly play dates for mom.

Besides sledding and playing cards, and cooking together in the kitchen, Ericka and I made a few drinks. Emphasis on a few. Really!?

She brought out the Malibu rum. At our house we usually pair Malibu rum with lemonade and at hers, is slides into a glass with peach schnapps and cranberry juice. When we were at the store, and in line, I realized we had forgotten the lemonade. She sprinted to the cold drink aisle and returned with limonata---a carbonated lemonade drink made by San Pellegrino.

We tried it, loved it and it is already up for best drink of 2009---for BOTH of us.

You should try it:

Fill glass with ice, fill 1/3 with Malibu Rum and fill 2/3 with Limonata. Though I suppose you could switch the ratios the other way---if you must.

Thanks Ericka!