Refreshing Summer Drinks
Easy Recipes for Cool Refreshments that can Double as Cocktails
Jul 7, 2009
When the summer heat hits, so does the desire to have the perfect drink to cool down with. Being busy means that most people want this task to be quick and easy. The following recipes can be refreshing during the hottest part of the day, or can be adapted as evening cocktails. Options are given for lower calorie, healthier versions as well.
Mint Tonic Key Limeade
For the Limeade:
- 2 quarts water
- 1 cup key lime juice (regular lime juice can be substituted)
- ¾ cup Splenda or Sugar
- Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher.
- 1 cup Limeade
- 1 cup tonic water (regular or diet)
- Sprig of mint
- Put mint sprig in the bottom of a tall glass and crush with a spoon.
- Add Limeade and tonic water.
- Garnish with more mint or a lime wedge if desired and serve with ice.
- For the adult version: Add a shot of cachaça (a Brazilian liquor similar to rum) for a drink that fuses a Mojito with a Caipirinha.
Orange Sherbet Ginger Ale
One Serving:
- 8 oz. ginger ale (regular or diet)
- 1 scoop Orange Sherbet (any flavor can be substituted, as can sugar free varieties)
Pour ginger ale in a glass and add a scoop of sherbet. Allow the sherbet to melt slightly then stir until mixed.
This recipe is commonly used as a punch at parties. For the adult version: Add a shot of gin to the mix for a refreshing and unique drink. The juniper and orange flavor of gin mixes perfectly with this concoction.
Cherry Orange Soda
One Serving:
- 10 oz orange juice
- Splash of maraschino cherry juice
- 2 oz soda water
Mix the orange juice and soda water in a glass. Add maraschino cherry juice to taste. Garnish with cherries, if desired.
- Different juices or flavoring can be substituted. The soda water both tones down the sweetness of the cherry flavor and adds a bit of carbonation.
- For the adult version: Add a shot of tequila for a slightly different version of a Tequila Sunrise.
Fruity Punch
One serving:
- 8 oz grape juice (red or white, with or without added sugar)
- 2 oz orange juice
- 4 oz lemon lime soda (regular or diet)
- 2-3 slices of citrus fruit (lemon, orange, grapefruit, and lime are common)
Mix the juices and soda in a glass. Squeeze citrus fruit into beverage. Garnish with fresh slices of fruit, if desired, and serve over ice.
- By freezing cubes of grape juice ahead of time to add to the drink, the punch won’t get watered down on a hot day.
- For the adult version: Use a red Spanish wine or a gentle white wine instead of the grape juice for a classic Sangria recipe. Another option is to add a shot of triple sec. The citrus flavor of this liqueur complements the other fruits in this drink.
Whether throwing a summer barbeque or just enjoying a quiet summer day on a hammock, these recipes are sure to delight all members of the family.
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