Born in the USA: Cool cocktails for hot nights!

If there's one thing the It! Girls value above all else, it's joie de vivre. Our friends at Coastal Living echo that sentiment on every page. This It! Girl has worked with the CL team for years, and I can't wait to try these great cocktail recipes from Senior Editor and fellow foodie Julia Rutland:

Frosty Raspberry-Lime Margarita

Why she likes it: Raspberries!
When to drink it: While watching fireworks on the Fourth of July!
Yield: Makes 5 cups

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (6 ounces) tequila
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) orange liqueur
• 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 4 cups ice

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Frozen White Chocolate

Why she likes it: It has a huge yum factor with a decadent blend of rich vanilla ice cream and delicious liqueurs. Really, you should try this.
When to drink it: As a grownup dessert after a fun beach cookout
Yield: Makes 3 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) white chocolate liqueur
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) Irish cream liqueur
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) clear crème de cacao
• 3 cups vanilla ice cream

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Blended Blue Hawaiian

Why she likes it: It’s tart and refreshing—not super-sweet like many other brightly colored cocktails.
When to drink it: While watching an Elvis movie marathon
Yield: Makes 5 cups

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) pineapple vodka
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) blue curaçao
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) coconut rum
• 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) amaretto
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup agave nectar, simple syrup, or sugar
• 4 cups ice

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

For more of Julia's fab cocktail recipes, click here.

xo Aime

Photos by Jennifer Davick