Slushy Make Ahead Lava Flow Cocktails and a Giveaway!

Lava Flows without a doubt remind me of spring break circa 06/07 although then they were called "Miami Vice."  These were an absolute staple at the all-inclusive swim up bar.  The bartenders would groan when we would order these and to be honest, now I know why.  They are a process and a half to make.  However, they are so worth the effort, I swear.  

I made two versions of these, one that I had to taste test for quality control purposes and enjoyed on the spot.  The second version I layered into mason jars and tossed them in the freezer for my college girlfriend get together.   I just had to give them a few minutes on the counter to defrost a bit and they were just as slushy as the first version.  Since they are a bit labor intensive it worked out perfectly to pop them in the freezer and they were GTG when the ladies arrived.  

Not going to lie, I'm going to make a big o' batch of these for the summer so I can enjoy them on the hot evenings after work.  

Oh and scroll down to the bottom for the adorable giveaway!  :) Happy weekend.  

 Start with the Pina colada portion of the drink.  Add a bunch of ice to the blender.

 Pour in the juice from a can of pineapple.

 I first made the virgin kind of pina colada (AHHHH ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS IS PREGS) so I had to boost the coconut flavor a bit since hers would be without the coconut rum. I used some of this Coco Real stuff.  So good.

 Pour that on in.   Super thick stuff.

 Toss in the pineapple.

 And coconut milk. Blend away.  This was the virgin portion and I scooped out some of it and popped it into the mason jar for Momma and baby.

 Then added the booze for the rest of us.  Coconut rum to be exact.  Blend again and pour into mason jars to fill them half way.  Not sure why I didn't take a picture of this but I didn't.  You will see the end result in a bit.

 Then work on the strawberry daiquiri portion of the drink.  Don't worry I completely washed out the blender so there wasn't any booze left over for the baby.  I hear booze is not good for a developing baby, just a rumor.  Anyway, add a bunch of ice.

 Some frozen strawberries.

 And strawberry daiquiri mix.  I know, I cheated but this stuff really ensures the perfect flavor.  Blend away again.  At this point, I took out some for Momma and Baby again.  Then added some white rum for the booze hounds.

 Perfect consistency.

Here is the enjoy now version.  

 Takes me back to spring break.  Just missing the Pitbull and Daddy Yanke music in the background.

 Cheers.  I do have to say, I could get used to this drinking during the day working from home business.

 Here is the make and freeze version.  I used a spoon to push the daiquiri to make it more "flowy."

Pop the lids on

Make sure to mark the special version (if you have any) and into the freezer they go.  

 Like I said, they only need a minute or two on the counter to be back to the original consistency since the booze doesn't allow them to freeze all the way through.

 I see a whole lot of these cocktails in my future.

Cheers.

 Now on to the giveaway.  Did you love that yellow straw?  Well folks I happen to be obsessed with the new paper straw trend.

How stinkin' cute are these?  Do you see that one with the little red hearts?  I die.

So, I figured it's summer and I should probably host a giveaway for these little ditties.  I contacted Jillian from Crafts by Jilly on Etsy and she agreed to give 25 straws in the color or colors of your choice to a lucky reader!  Here is a little bit about Jillian and her shop:

My name is Jillian Quinn and am a proud Army wife, that tries to stay very busy. I am currently in school for a bachelors in psychology and also just starting out with my own business which I named Craftsbyjilly. I started Craftsbjilly with just a few items that I had made but then slowly built it up to everything I have now and still adding items daily! Some items that you will find in my store is paper straws, cupcake liners, baking cups, washi tape, and so much more!


Here's the scoop.  To enter you will need to use the widget below.  Super easy, you can either like Mrs. Schwartz's Kitchen on Facebook, follow Mrs. Schwartz's Kitchen on Pinterest or leave a blog comment saying what you would use the straws for.  The contest ends at midnight on Tuesday June 26.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lava Flow

For the Pina Colada: 
8 cups of ice
1 cup pineapple juice (from the canned pineapple)
2 tablespoons cream of coconut
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup canned pineapple
4-6 ounces of coconut rum (depending on your taste/alcohol tolerance : )

Place everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  If you want to make virgin coladas, leave out the rum and add additional coconut milk or pineapple juice until you reach your desired consistency.

If you are making the freezer version, fill mason jars 1/2 full with Pina colada.  Set aside.

For the Strawberry Daiquiri:
8 cups of ice
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 1/2 cups strawberry daiquiri mix
4-6 ounces white rum (depending on your taste/alcohol tolerance : )

Place everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  If you are making a virgin daiquiri, leave out the rum and add additional daiquiri mix.

If you are making the freezer version, layer on top of the Pina colada to fill the mason jar and use a spoon to push the daiquiri into the Pina colada to create the "lava flow" effect.

Place in the freezer and take out when you want to enjoy.

**Disclaimer, the boozy versions stay slushy because they have alcohol in them.  If you do not use the booze, they won't have the same slushy consistency however, they will still taste delish.**

Recipe by: Mrs. Schwartz

Coconut Waffles with Chunky Pineapple Syrup

I debated calling this recipe Pina Colada Waffles.  But, I didn't want you to have the assumption that they were drizzled in booze. Although, that isn't the worst idea.... For some reason Virgin Pina Colada Waffles didn't really have a ring to it either.  

No matter the name, these things are off the freaking chart!  If you are like me and dreaming of a tropical vacation and know that it won't happen (for some reason Mr. Schwartz won't take me back to the Dominican Republic...something to do with being there less than a year ago for our honeymoon.  What.evs.) then these are for you!  I also love that you probably have everything in your kitchen to make them.  

I made them when my mom stayed over last weekend since Mr. Schwartz thinks coconut tastes like suntan lotion.  How about suntan lotion smells like coconut?  Yeah, that's what I thought.  He doesn't know what he is missing.  

Musical Selection: Toes by: The Zac Brown Band. Stuff your face with these waffles, crank up this jam and pretend you are in the tropics. 

Start by pouring the syrup from the canned pineapple into a sauce pan on medium high heat. For some reason I bought pineapple rings in heavy syrup. I never do that, I always buy it in juice.  It worked out perfectly so I'm glad I bought the syrup kind.  It 'twas destined to be!

Next, use the secret ingredient, COCONUT MILK, instead of the water in the waffle batter.  I love coconut milk.  And, as you can see, you can use the light coconut milk.  It turns out juuuust fine.

So pour the coconut milk into the waffle mix.  I'm sure you could make your own but really, there is no reason for it. Especially if you have a Costco sized bag of it sitting in your pantry. Just sayin'.

Add the oil (according the directions) as well.

Dump in a handful of sweetened coconut flakes and stir it up.  Preheat your waffle iron.

Check on your syrup.  It should be bubbling like this.  You want to reduce the liquid just a bit.  So let it bubble away.

Dice up the pineapple and set it aside...for now.

Pour the waffle mix into the preheated iron.  I turned mine up to medium high.  I found that with my waffle iron, it needed a little boost to get things crispy.  Also, spray the heck out of it so it doesn't stick.

Back to the syrup, add a few (2-3) tablespoons of brown sugar to the syrup.

Let it continue to bubble and add a tablespoon of butter.  Heavenly.

Add the pineapple to the syrup.

And you are good to go.  Just an FYI this syrup isn't your typical thick maple syrup.  It is thin but oooh so delicious.

Spoon it over the top of your hot waffle.

Sprinkle with additional coconut.

And top with whipped cream.  I just died. 

I mean honestly.  Too bad I have to kick Mr. Schwartz out of the house to enjoy these again....is it hunting season yet?  Just kiiiiiding. kind of. 

Coconut Waffles with Chunky Pineapple Syrup

2 cups waffle mix

1 1/2 cups coconut milk (using light is just fine)

2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut + additional for sprinkling

4 pineapple rings, diced

Juice/syrup from the large can of pineapple 

2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar (adjust to your taste)

1 tablespoon butter 

Whipped cream for topping

For the waffles:

Stir together the waffle mix, coconut milk, oil and coconut flakes.  There will be lumps, it's okay.  Don't over mix.  Preheat the waffle iron and make the waffles as you usually do.  I turned the heat up to medium high to get them to crisp up on the outside better.  It must be something to do with the coconut milk. 

For the syrup: 

Pour the liquid out of the can of pineapple into a medium sauce pan on medium high heat.  You will want to bring this to a low simmer.  Simmer while you combine the waffle ingredients 2-3 minutes.  Add the brown sugar and butter.  Simmer for about 2 minutes, add the pineapple.  

To serve, spoon the pineapple syrup over the hot waffle and top with additional shredded coconut and whipped cream.  

Enjoy! 

Recipe by: Mrs. Schwartz