Summer to us means fun times, freedom, doing things outside, grilling and trying new things.

This summer we promised each other that we will do a lot of activities, exercise more and eat healthier. I love the idea of opening the refrigerator and have something ready to eat that is light, healthy, low calorie and with some lavender liquor to it.

It’s a soup cocktail!

This strawberry lavender liquor soup sums up everything that I just said. To top it off, a tart yet sweet lime popsicle to dip into the soup for fun and more flavor. It’s a great dish to highlight summer fruits and a unique soup to add along with your barbecue menus.

Just a reminder that you can make this soup without the lavender liquor.

Soup Ingredients
1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled
1 lb. fresh seedless watermelon, rind cut off
1/2 c. fresh basil, rough chopped
lavender liquor
soft goat cheese
heavy cream

Directions
Take 3/4 lb. each of strawberries and watermelon plus the basil and place in a food processor.

Add approximately 1 c. of lavender liquor and process until smooth.

Place in a container and chill overnight.

Cut the remaining strawberries and watermelon into small dices and combine. This will be the garnish.

Place 1 c. of soft goat cheese in a bowl and slowly mix in heavy cream until consistency is thin enough to spoon over the soup.

When ready, place chilled soup in a bowl, drizzle 1-2 T. more lavender liquor over the soup. Place diced watermelon and strawberry mixture on the side and spoon goat cheese cream around. Finish with the lime popsicle on the side.

Lime Popsicle Ingredients
2 c. water
2/3 c. sugar (or artificial sweetener/honey)
zest of 1 lime
1 c. freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions
In a saucepan combine water, sugar and lime juice. Bring to a simmer and cook just until sugar has dissolved.

Strain the mixture and chill. When cooled, add lime juice and mix well.

Place into Popsicle molds and freeze overnight.