I love alcoholic drinks and cocktails (with moderation people, moderation is the key here).

I have traditional recipes for every celebration of the year; this one is my New Year's drink.

It's a home made version of a commercial beverage sold in Brazil: Smirnoff Ice. Now, this is not the same Smirnoff Ice sold in the USA - which is a beer alternative brewed using a malt base - but simply a mix of vodka and citrus juice.

The original is superb, but pretty expensive. So, the Brazilian creativity came up with this version: pretty similar flavor, as refreshing as the original, and the best of all, affordable by virtually everyone.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

- 1 Lt Smirnoff vodka

- 1,5 Lt Sprite

- 1 pck Clight drink-mix, lemon flavor

- 1 Lt mineral water (with bubbles)

Directions:

You can use other brand of vodka, but Smirnoff gives the best results. Don't use diet Sprite, it's not the same. The drink mix must be lemon flavor; Clight is ideal, but if you can't find it, substitute with Tang. And the water must be bubbly!

The vodka, the Sprite and the water must be really cold. You don't want to spoil the drink flavor with melted ice.

Dissolve the drink mix in the vodka very well, like if you're making juice. Just before start serving it, mix the water and the Sprite with the flavored vodka, in a gallon with a tight seal (so the effervescence lasts longer). Don't stir the beverage too much, or you'll loose all your bubbles.

This is a very refreshing and soft drink. Enjoy!