With summer comes family gatherings, barbecues, fun in sprinklers, swimming in pools, good times, and the hot, hot heat. The summer sun can be brutal so we have to stay hydrated. Water is good, sure. But when it comes to entertaining, you need to serve up something more exciting and delicious, while still making sure it's refreshing and ice cold.
Here are 8 delicious and refreshingly cold beverages to serve on the hottest summer days.
Image via kullez/Flickr
Watermelon Spritzer
Get a huge seedless watermelon, cut it like a bowl, hollow it out, and then use it as a punch bowl. Muddle or blend most of the watermelon, saving some chunks for side of glass if you wish. Mix in seltzer and a cup of pineapple juice.
Also check out this recipe for watermelon punch — spiked or not.
Cucumber Water
So easy to make and yet is super refreshing. Slice up a large cucumber per gallon of water. It's best when you let the cucumbers sit in the water overnight. Add mint if you're feeling adventurous.
Vanilla Cucumber Limeade
You can cheat and get pre-made limeade, add in a tablespoon of vanilla, 2 cups of water, and a sliced large cucumber. Or go all out and squeeze the juices of 5 limes, slice 2 more, and add to a gallon of water. Mix in large sliced cucumber, a cup of sugar, and a tablespoon of vanilla. Serve over ice.
June Bug
You will need a 2-liter bottle of ginger ale, 1/2 cup of grenadine, 1 cup of orange juice, and 5 scoops of the sherbet of your choice. Blend and serve over ice.
Minty Lemonade
Combine 6 cups of water, 2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 lemon sliced, 2 cups of simple syrup, 6 cups of water, and 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves for a very delicious summer drink.
Iced Chamomile Mint Tea
Get yourself some fresh chamomile flowers — about a cup — and mix in a gallon of water along with 1/4 cup of fresh mint sprigs for a refreshing over-ice drink. You can also brew chamomile tea of course, but then you won't have the pretty flowers in the glass.
Blackberry Basil Refresher
Use a cup of blackberries muddled slightly and soaked in 2 liters of seltzer overnight. The next day add 1/4 cup of muddled blackberries and 1/3 cup of basil leaves about an hour before serving over ice.
Peachy Punch
Slice 4 ripe peaches and puree in blender. Keep the pulp, and in a pitcher, add 2 cups water, the juice of 1 lime, 4 cups of ginger ale, and honey to sweeten. Also add a sprig of basil or mint per glass.
