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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Ricki,6-29-2010, 7:08AM
These drinks are gonna go great with the ribs I am making!.. they are an asian bbq rib that are awesome.. i braise them and then throw them on the bbq. They're called "Love You Long Time Pork Ribs".. you can google them. the recipe is on line.. but I warn you the site they are on is a little politically incorrect, so if you don't have a good sense of humor, you may want to skip this one!
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Geegee Davis,6-29-2010, 7:55AM
Get a quart of Ocean Spray blueberry juice. Mix it in a pitcher with a small can of lemonade concentrate and one can of water. This is a simple, and great summer cooler. I guess you couldl add a little vodka if you wish.
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Geegee Davis,6-29-2010, 8:02AM
I love the Fourth of July. It is my favorite holiday. This year is the 234 anniversary of our great country's independence. We live in the greatest democracy the world has ever known. Please remember that as you celebrate. We have so much to be thankful for living in America !! Our country stands for human rights, and our Constitution protects our rights. Don't let Obama and his leftist thugs and commies try to take our rights from us. Remember to go vote in November. Vote out the incumbants that think they rule the country. We the people rule this country !! Remember that our country was founded on Christian principles, and we need God present in all things we do !! As the saying goes.. " God bless America ! "
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Terry Denis,6-29-2010, 10:13AM
Try iced green tea. Yes, defininitely put in fruit. But make it in a pitcher and add a cup of frozen lemon or strawberry Italian ice. You can actually add both. I did it for Memorial Day with fresh strawberries too and it was great. You don't need to add sugar!
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jess,6-29-2010, 9:16AM
sound refreshing! We are plannning our family 4th of July BBQ and found some great ideas at Celebration Ideas Online at www.celebrationideasonline.com Fun ideas for decorating water bottles, making Independence Day sunhats, games and even a free printable 4th of July Bingo game.
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Krista Railey,6-29-2010, 3:50PM
We always add blueberries and strawberries to our lemonade. Better way to prepare is to freeze the fruit and then combine with ice in the Vitamix. Our friend call our lemonades Blueberry Yum and Strawberry Yum. Another good trick is to freeze bananas and mix them with orange juice.
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Jess,6-29-2010, 8:15PM
Homemade Lemon Aid and Sweet Tea yum-o..I'm southern so you can't go wrong either way..Just wondering what kind of lemon aid they make at local fairs each year there so sweet but tangy and delicious..I so am craving flunnel cake with lots of powderd sugar heck FAIR food Is so darn good!
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John F.C. Taylor,6-29-2010, 4:49PM
Sorry, but if you start adding extra ingredients to it, it ceases to be lemonade. Lemonade is made with lemons, sugar and water.
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Harry Hurt,6-29-2010, 5:42PM
For a more zesty flavor, add white wine.
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