Cool Summer Drinks

[#1]

Last Sunday afternoon, my neighbors and I plopped down on my front porch. With the hustle and bustle of summer, we hadn’t had a chance to get together and catch up. I had a pitcher of ginger peach iced tea chilled in my refrigerator, which turned out to be the perfect thirst quencher on a hot day. I prefer unsweetened iced tea, flavored by the tea itself or fruit slices. To keep tea (or any cold beverage) flavorful, make ice cubes by freezing leftover tea in trays instead of water. That way, drinks don’t get diluted. Here are some of my favorite summer drinks that you can sip without overdoing it on calories:

• Iced and frozen coffee drinks: Make a skinny iced coffee by shaking together chilled coffee, ice cubes, fat-free milk and sugar-free flavored syrup. For a frozen version, whirl the same ingredients together in a blender instead of shaking.

• Strawberry mint water: I saw this unique beverage at a hotel pool! Place cold water and strawberries in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain to press out juice/water and discard seeds and solids, then add crushed fresh mint leaves and ice. Dilute with additional cold water as needed.

• Infused “spa” water: Float orange, grapefruit, lemon or lime slices in a pitcher of cold ice water. Or add cucumber slices or herbs such as fresh crushed mint and rosemary for flavor.

Do you have a favorite thirst quenching recipe to share?

[#2]

Way to capture the zeitgeist of the blogosphere!

[#3]

Thanks Bob! :-)