Cooling Summer Soft Drinks

Looking for something a little different, to quench your summer thirst? Well I've dusted off my old recipe files, and have found some real taste sensations. So dig out the straws and paper umbrellas, and get ready to satisfy those taste buds.

Old-Fashioned Pleasers

Good old-fashioned Lemonade

4 Lemons

¾ c. sugar

1-quart cold water

1 tray of ice cubes

Wash the lemons well. Cut them into thin slices and remove seeds. In a large, non-reactive bowl, cover the lemon slices with the sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes. Next, press the fruit firmly with a potato masher, to extract the juice. Add the water, and continue mashing the fruit until the liquid is fully flavored. Pour into a pitcher and add the ice cubes.

Taste the lemonade for sweetness once it is chilled. Add more sugar to taste. To serve, use tall glasses. Add one lemon slice to each glass. Fill the glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over the cubes. If you have it on hand, top off with a fresh sprig of mint. Makes about 7 servings.

Citrus Sensation

This one is an old farm recipe. It has a different flavor that will be enjoyed by all. It's one of my favorites for company.

2(6oz) cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1(6oz) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

2 c. Pineapple juice

3½ quarts cold water

6 tablespoons instant iced tea

Combine all of the ingredients in the order above. Serve over ice cubes. Makes 4 ½ quarts.

Old-Fashioned Limeade

The juice of 5 small limes, pulp included

1-teaspoon lime zest

2/3 c. sugar

5 cups ice water

Combine the limejuice with the sugar; add zest and water. Serve into glasses of crushed ice. Makes 5 servings.

Company's Favorites

Banana Fruit Slush

This drink is a crowd pleaser. It can be made up to 6 months in advance. That means you can enjoy this treat any time. Yet, it is a great summer cooler.

6 cups water

1 ½ cups sugar

1 large can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 large can (46oz) pineapple-grapefruit juice

5 medium bananas

1 bottle (32oz) carbonated lemon-lime soda

In a large bowl, stir water and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add orange juice and pineapple-grapefruit juice. Mix well.

In a blender, puree bananas, and stir into juice mixture until well combined. Pour into ½ gallon freezer containers. Cover and freeze for 24 hours to 6 months.

To serve, let mix thaw, at room temperature for 3 hours or until slushy. Stir in lemon-lime soda, breaking up any frozen chunks. Serve immediately.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic