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Summer Thirst Aid
No Fourth of July celebration is complete without delicious, summery drinks that will keep guests cool and refreshed. Start with a traditional favorite: lemonade.
Fresh blueberries, strawberries, mango, or peaches are wonderful paired with this summer classic. Simply mash about 1 cup fruit with 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl using a muddler or the back of a spoon, then add two quarts chilled lemonade. This is great way to jazz up store-bought lemonade or, make your own using this classic recipe:
Homemade Lemonade
4 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
2 quarts chilled water
Roll lemons in the palm of your hand on the kitchen counter top to break up the pulp and produce more juice. Cut lemons in half and squeeze out juices. Strain to remove seeds and extra pulp. Combine lemon juice, sugar, and water in a pitcher and stir vigorously until sugar is dissolved. Add honey to taste. Serve with ice and lemon slices. Makes 4 servings.
Fresh blueberries, strawberries, mango, or peaches are wonderful paired with this summer classic. Simply mash about 1 cup fruit with 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl using a muddler or the back of a spoon, then add two quarts chilled lemonade. This is great way to jazz up store-bought lemonade or, make your own using this classic recipe:
Homemade Lemonade
4 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
2 quarts chilled water
Roll lemons in the palm of your hand on the kitchen counter top to break up the pulp and produce more juice. Cut lemons in half and squeeze out juices. Strain to remove seeds and extra pulp. Combine lemon juice, sugar, and water in a pitcher and stir vigorously until sugar is dissolved. Add honey to taste. Serve with ice and lemon slices. Makes 4 servings.
Seth Smoot
Summer Thirst Aid
No Fourth of July celebration is complete without delicious, summery drinks that will keep guests cool and refreshed. Start with a traditional favorite: lemonade.
Fresh blueberries, strawberries, mango, or peaches are wonderful paired with this summer classic. Simply mash about 1 cup fruit with 2 tablespoons sugar in a bowl using a muddler or the back of a spoon, then add two quarts chilled lemonade. This is great way to jazz up store-bought lemonade or, make your own using this classic recipe:
Homemade Lemonade
4 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
2 quarts chilled water
Roll lemons in the palm of your hand on the kitchen counter top to break up the pulp and produce more juice. Cut lemons in half and squeeze out juices. Strain to remove seeds and extra pulp. Combine lemon juice, sugar, and water in a pitcher and stir vigorously until sugar is dissolved. Add honey to taste. Serve with ice and lemon slices. Makes 4 servings.
Seth Smoot
Frappés are a traditional Greek summer treat with a French name. This variation of the classic recipe uses already-made coffee instead of instant coffee crystals.
Iced Frappés
2 cups cold coffee
1/2 - 1 cup milk
sugar
Make a pot of coffee double strength and let sit out until room temperature (try making the night before or morning of so that it has time to cool down). Pour cold coffee into two glasses. In a thermos or shaker add milk, ice cubes, and sugar to taste. Cover and shake for about 1 minute. Pour ice and frothy milk mixture over coffee. Enjoy with a straw. For a variation on flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract. Makes 2 servings.
Seth Smoot
Iced tea is the ultimate refresher. Keep a batch of this sweet and tart beverage in the fridge for an instant uplift all day long.
Lime Mint Iced Tea
1 quart water
4 tea bags
1 bunch fresh mint
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup lime juice
Bring water to a boil. Pour water over tea bags, mint, and sugar and let seep for 15 minutes. Refrigerate until cool. Add lime juice just before serving. Pour over ice. Serves 4.
Seth Smoot
This slushy drink is usually made with a citrusy soda like 7-UP, but we're guessing it would be just as delicious with Coke or Dr. Pepper.
Cherry Slush
1 cup frozen cherries with pits removed
1/2 cup 7-UP or other soda
5 ice cubes
Blend cherries and ice until coarse. Add soda and blend until mixed. Serves 2.
Seth Smoot
Sangria is commonly served in Spain and Portugal during the summer months. It usually consists of sliced fruit, white or red wine, and seltzer water. It is best if made a few hours before serving so that the flavors have time to meld together. This recipe can also be made with white grape juice for a "virgin" version.
Peach and Plum Sangria
1 cup blackberries
1 cup raspberries
1 plum, cut into small squares
1 peach, cut into small squares
2 cups white wine or white grape juice
16 ounces sparkling water
Combine all of the ingredients except seltzer water in a large pitcher and let sit covered in the fridge for at least two hours. Add seltzer water, ice, and honey to taste before serving. Keep a wooden spoon in the pitcher to facilitate getting fruit out. Serves 4.
Seth Smoot
Drinkology: Pick up these helpful products to make your summer beverages
These metal citrus juicers get maximum juice with minimal effort, for $13.
The Chemex coffee carafe makes a great pot of hot coffee but is especially genius for iced coffee or tea. Designed by a chemist and made with laboratory glass, it can withstand extreme temperature changes and won't crack when you pour in boiling liquid, $34.
Smaller ice cubes chill drinks faster than larger ones. These trays make 90 ice cubes each, 2 for $8.
Ultra thin glasses feel super luxurious but are a real steal, starting at $1.50.
A cocktail napkin in a cheery print, 20 for $5.
This mini cutting board can go pool-side or on picnics and is the perfect size for slicing garnishes, $6.
--Kendra Smoot
Seth Smoot
