Lightened Up Summer Fare with Mike's Hard Lemonade

*I received complimentary product from Mike's Lite Hard Lemonade and created these recipes on behalf of them.  All opinions are my own.  Enjoy!

 

This summer Mike's Lite Hard Lemonade has partnered with selected bloggers to use their product and create healthier versions of indulgent meals.  It was time to get creative!  I was excited to be selected, as #1 - I love a good challenge and #2 - I love a nice cold Mike's Hard Lemonade on a hot summer day.  Nothing is better!

 

I'm not going to lie, the husband was also happy to see alcohol delivered straight to our doorstep.  That certainly doesn't happen to everyone!

 

Their new Lite versions have 30% fewer calories than their originals and are sweetened with honey rather than sugar.  Pretty darn cool, huh?

 

With the creative juices flowing I decided on a fun, summery cocktail and a flavorful, light meal centered around the tastes of summer.





 

 

This refreshing drink is perfect to sip on after a long day at work or right before dinner.  Do like I did and sip while the husband grills!  {Hey, I do 90% of the cooking, so he can tackle the grill}.

 

With watermelon in its peak season and a TON of it freshly cut in our fridge, I incorporated it into this drink.  It's slushy, light and refreshing.

 

I sucked it down pretty fast.

 

Watermelon Black Cherry Slushies

Print this Recipe!

 

2 c. frozen seeded watermelon chunks

1 bottle Mike's Hard Lite Black Cherry Lemonade

 

1.  Place the frozen chunked watermelon in a blender and pulse to a slushie consistency.

2.  Pour watermelon in two glasses or jar and top with chilled Black Cherry Lite Lemonade.

3.  Serve immediately.

4.  Serves 2.

 

To go along with our slushies for dinner we also had these super fun sandwiches and local corn on the cob {summer is officially in full swing when corn on the cob comes around!}.

 

I have to admit I have never marinated chicken, or any meat for that matter, in alcohol.  But I thought, what the heck?  I took a bottle of Mike's Hard Lite Lemonade {the regular version} and poured it over chicken breasts that had been pounded thin and layered with freshly torn basil from my garden.

 

We grilled up these bad boys, toasted some buns, slathered them with a bit of mayo and added slices of freshly cut tomato from the garden.  It ended up being a light, refreshing sandwich that I would make again in a heartbeat.

Spiked Basil Lemonade Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Print this Recipe!

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin and cut horizontally in half
1 bottle Mike's Hard Lite Lemonade
1 c. freshly torn basil
8 slices mozzarella cheese
sandwich buns
mayo
tomato

1.  Layer chicken breasts, basil and lemonade in a large Tupperware or glass container to marinate.
2.  Let marinate for 2 hours prior to grilling.
3.  Grill chicken breasts over medium-high heat, 5-6 minutes a side {if chicken breasts are thin} or until juices run clear.
4.  Top each chicken breast with a slice of cheese last few minutes of cooking.
5.  Toast buns on the grill for the last minute of cooking.
6.  Assemble sandwiches - bun, mayo, chicken and sliced tomato.

Don't these two recipes go great together for a summer meal on your patio or deck?  Yeah, I think so too.

A BIG thanks to Mike's Hard Lite Lemonade for this opportunity.  Again, who doesn't like alcohol delivered straight to their front door?

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