"Magic Juice"

Indeed.
Ingredients (makes two drinks):
6 hulled strawberries
1 peeled orange
5-7 mint leaves
1/4 peeled cucumber
4-6 oz gin, depending on taste
8 oz fresh lemonade

Methodology:
Dice, then muddle fruits and mint
Pour gin into fruit mixture and let sit for 10-15 minutes
Strain over lemonade and ice
Garnish with fruit slice or mint leaf

Lemony goodness cocktails

Giada is killing me this morning.
Blueberry limoncello cooler? Get outta here!

1 (750-ml) bottle limoncello liqueur, chilled
1 cup sparkling water, chilled
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries *see Cook's Note
5 fresh mint sprigs, lightly crushed, plus extra for garnish
Crushed ice

In a pitcher, combine the limoncello, sparkling water, blueberries, and mint sprigs.

Fill highball glasses halfway with crushed ice. Pour about 1/2 cup of the limoncello mixture over the ice in each glass.

Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

*Cook's Note: If using frozen blueberries, add them to the pitcher just before serving.

This also reminds me of my strong desire to make a lavender simple syrup so that I can make a lavender lemonade cocktail. Maybe I'll give it a whirl with rosemary today; both with regular sugar, and Splenda. OMG you guys, a sugar free sweetened summer cocktail for us South Beachers? Hell. Yes.
I'm envisioning a shot of citrus vodka, maybe, a tablespoon of herb flavored simple syrup (I'll have to taste it), juice of one lemon, and some soda. Top it with a spring of whatever herb I've used and a lemon slice. Is it wrong to want this before breakfast?

Speaking of Vanilla

I can't stop thinking about making my own vanilla extract since I saw it in a magazine. Then I can use the old pods for making vanilla scented sugar and then. . . . creme brulee. * drool *
I've only fallen for creme brulee in the last year or so, and man, I would eat it every day if I didn't know what was in it. In fact, I loved that I didn't like it since I'm such a dessertie - that was one thing I could always skip. Now I'm looking for seconds. Damn you palate!!
Check out this instructable for making your own extract.
Check out this recipe for creme brulee from Alton Brown.
Now make them and invite me over. I promise to make you some lavender/vanilla lemonade, I just have to work the recipe out a little. Stay tuned.