Perfect Pairing: Katy Perry Sandals + Smirnoff Sourced Watermelon

Drinkin' Watermelon

Today's National Watermelon Day, and we're celebrating with shoes and a cocktail inspired by summer's favorite fruit. If you're trying to do the same but you're not sure where to start, we've got you covered.

On Your Feet

The simplest thing would be to just wear a pair of red or red-pink shoes. However, if you want to go full-out, we suggest shoes that actually feature watermelons. This Carmen lace-up sandal from Katy Perry Collection is a good start. Depending on where you work, it might not be a good fit for the office (unless you get it in black). However it's definitely happy hour-approved. The tiny fruit accents (especially the watermelons) are adorable, and the stiletto heel, coupled with the trend-right ankle laces make them a sassy, sexy conversation piece wherever you go. (Also, you can likely get them for less than $100 via Amazon.)

If flats are more on your level, these Happy Fruity Slides by Topshop will work, especially if you're sipping al fresco. Available at Nordstrom.

And if you're living la vida luxury, this sandal from Camilla Elphick will do the trick. Does anyone else envision themselves twirling the night away on the dancefloor in these? They're currently on sale at Luisa via Roma.

In Your Glass

Smirnoff Sourced released a watermelon flavor just in time for today. The above-pictured Tropical Melon Bliss is sweet, refreshing and fairly easy to make at home:

Ingredients:
1.5 oz SMIRNOFF SOURCED Watermelon
1 oz coconut water
1 oz pomegranate juice
.5 oz lemon juice
.75 oz simple syrup

Method:
Combine ingredients in a glass over ice. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

If your favorite bar doesn't have SMIRNOFF SOURCED Watermelon, you may be able to request a mixture of Smirnoff Vodka mixed with watermelon juice and the other ingredients. We're sure it'll also be pretty refreshing.

Will you be drinkin' watermelon today? Whatever you drink, please do it legally and responsibly.

*Shoes N Booze is an Amazon affiliate and receives commission from the purchase of linked products. Smirnoff is a product partner of Shoes N Booze and occasionally sends complimentary products for review.

Do Try This Pina Colada Dessert Drink Recipe at Home

The Uncharted Dessert Isle

I scream, you scream, we all scream for... spring (bet you thought I'd say 'ice cream'. Gotcha!) Now that it's warming up, images of tropical drinks, frosty desserts and fun are fluttering through my mind like butterflies. When a bottle of the newly released Smirnoff Sourced Pineapple Vodka recently arrived at my door to create a recipe for Thebar.com, I felt compelled to see if I could capture the feel of spring in a glass. Since it's the season when we start seeing more tropical fruits in stores, (and I'm a fan of pina coladas), I immediately thought of adding coconut in some way. Ginger also came to mind (and then the theme song to a certain shipwreck-themed show followed).... Before I knew it, I had figured out a recipe for a drink that's actually more confection than concoction — the Dessert Isle. There are actually 2 ways to make it— one for a quick fix, and another (pictured above), which takes a bit more preparation, for entertaining guests)

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz Smirnoff Sourced Pineapple Vodka

1 oz coconut water

.5 oz ginger beer

1 scoop vanilla gelato

1/4 ripe mango, diced

sprinkle of grated ginger

sprinkle of grated mango skin

METHOD (quick fix)

Blend Smirnoff Sourced Pineapple Vodka, ginger beer and coconut water in a mixing glass. Place mango pieces into a coupe glass. Add scoop of vanilla gelato (fro-yo) to coupe. Pour Smirnoff Sourced Pineapple Vodka mixture onto gelato. Sprinkle grated ginger and mango skin on top to garnish.

METHOD (for guests)

Mix coconut water with gelato and place in freezer in an ice tray. Once mixture is firm, mix Smirnoff Sourced Pineapple Vodka and ginger beer in a mixing glass. Place diced mango pieces into a coupe glass. Add most of vodka mixture, leaving just a bit in the mixing glass. Add gelato cubes. Spoon the rest of vodka mixture over gelato cubes. Sprinkle grated ginger and mango skin for garnish. 

The result is a mix between a ginger pina colada (do you get the name yet? tropical flavors + ginger... "the movie star, the professor and Mary Ann...") and an ice cream float. Yum! 

Oh, FYI, Smirnoff Sourced Vodkas are 60 proof and infused with (concentrated) real fruit juice. They're also gluten-free and made without high-fructose corn syrup.

I'd love to know your thoughts if you try this recipe. I'd also love to hear your opinions on the other flavors. Sound off in the comments or feel free to shoot me an email.

**Disclosure: I am working in partnership with thebar.com brand and I am receiving rewards for my participation in this campaign. All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own. Drink is intended for those whom alcohol is legal and appropriate. Please Drink Responsibly!