Thirsty? Drink a Mr. Newman.

With those striking baby blues and stellar acting chops, Paul Newman was and continues to be even after his death in 2008, by most movie buffs’ standards, one of the Hollywood greats. For me, the best part about Paul Newman is not his brilliant performance in The Color of Money, his handsome appearance (even as an older man, he still had it), or that he was married to his wife for 50 years. Nope – I just like his limeade.

Ever since the man in the green hat and bow tie - not to be mistaken for the Man with the Yellow Hat - caught my eye last week in the grocery store, I couldn’t help but grab a carton while simultaneously envisioning a beautiful and wonderfully thirst-quenching future with him. While the limeade is quite good on its own, I dreamt (which, in case you weren't aware, is the only word in the English language that ends in "mt") of something with a little more depth...and, well, with a little booze.

When I was a kid, I loved Dairy Queen. (Yes, I still do.) Besides the cherry-dipped cone and the “full meal deal,” one of my favorite items on the menu growing up was the Mr. Misty. Lest you forget, the Mr. Misty is a slushy ice drink made with artificial fruit flavors and high fructose corn syrup. An ideal treat for a hot summer day, the Mr. Misty came in a variety of flavors, but I remember particularly enjoying the lemon-lime. Not that I spend much time at Dairy Queen these days, but when I have found myself inside its doors, I have not seen the Mr. Misty on the menu (trust me, I’ve looked). I just assumed that DQ had taken a turn for the worse and nixed it from their menu, but it turns out the Mr. Misty is still offered, but under the guise of the "Arctic Blast". I would like to take this time and space to publicly denounce this name change. Arctic Blast? Wasn't that one of Portland's local news station's title for the winter storm that dumped two millimeters of snow? I don't care what anyone says, the Mr. Misty will always remain the Mr. Misty in my heart.

With childhood nostalgia on the brain lately, I've been on a throwback beverage kick. My coworkers may make fun of me for sipping on Capri Suns in my office, but I know they're just jealous. (They'd be even more jealous to know that by night, my Capri Suns have flirted with the likes of vodka). While I've already got my sights set on whipping up a batch of Orange Julius (+ rum) one day soon, with this limeade in my possession, I knew this was my opportunity to de-virginize (is that too vulgar for a family-friendly blog?) Newman’s Own limeade with NO high fructose corn syrup(!) into a fantastical, Mr. Misty-inspired summer cocktail.

Crushed ice, limeade, frozen raspberries, and a wee little bit of Grey Goose vodka. Mmmmmmm. Deliciously refreshing and undeniably playful, the Mr. Newman goes down smooth and fast. GENERAL SURGEON'S WARNING: This beverage puts you at high risk for major brain freeze. Throwing out a fist as you cry a frustrated "Newman!" may also occur.