Simple Pleasures: Summertime Drinks



Post by Sharon

Ah, the cool refreshing drinks of summertime. You can't get a more simple pleasure than that.


I'll share some ones that bring up great sentimental feelings for most folks and some you may not have tried, but it's time to add to your lineup.

Lemonade


Amp up lemonade - add pureed strawberries, freeze lemon juice and use for cubes, or freeze the drink and whirl it for a frozen version. Consider popsicles too! Mix it with iced tea for an Arnold Palmer drink.

Start with simple syrup
1 c. water  and 1-1/2 c. sugar simmered to dissolve sugar, let cool to room temp
1-1/2 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice.
Put 7 cups of water in the pitcher and add the simple syrup and lemon juice.

To adult it up, consider adding bourbon, crushed mint leaves and some ginger ale.


Kool-Aid


Like Tang, we all grew up with Kool-Aid. Whether you liked the black cherry or grape, a pitcher of it was summertime kid fun. But, there's more you can do with Kool-Aid than you thought. If you buy the packets with no sugar that you have to add sugar to, wet a Q-tip and dip it into the mix, rub it on your lips for a great lip stain. It really works! It's what I use if I go to the beach or pool as I have very colorless lips!


Consider freezing it and whirling it for an icy drink, making popsicles, or possibly add some booze to make it the adult version. I'd suggest Midori liqeur or my favorite is ginger beer. 

Sweet Tea


As a southern-born lady, I always like to have a sweet tea in the fridge. I think it's impolite to not have some to offer folks and I never do unsweetened - ugh. 

But there some fun ways to brew your iced tea with new twists. I use any of these - ginger root, mint, lemon slices, orange slices, lime slices, lemongrass, sassafras root, even tart granny smith apple slices or cinnamon sticks.

Add a bit of rum and it becomes a delightful adult drink! 


Fruit Punch

Remember good old Hawaiian Punch in a concentrated can? Add water and it makes a pitcher of that vague-tasting sweet stuff? 

Want something more grown up? Consider adding vodka, orange juice, pineapple juice and ginger ale.


Sangria



Summers and sangria - they are the perfect match. That's probably why we want them for bbq's, summer evenings, parties, and vacations. 

There are unlimited ways of making sangria - from utilizing white wine or red wine, fruits, seltzer or ginger ale, sugar.  


Sit on the porch or patio. Sip a drink that is not only mellowing, but releases lots of vitamins into your system. If one works it right in his head, it's therapeutic.

Ah, the simple pleasures of summertime.


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