Keeping Your Cool

The first summer heatwave has hit the northeast. We've been trying to stay cool and hydrated by drinking non-alcoholic beverages and eating lots of fresh fruit.

This holiday weekend we kept everything on ice and ready for us to munch on and quench our thirst. At first there was a bit of resistance to refrain from the beer and wine, but after a couple of hours everyone was convinced that the alcoholic beverages were not keeping them cool. Well, helloooooo!!!!!!

With the high temps and humidity it's best to stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages, keep activity to a minimum, and stay indoors and out of the sun. And that is exactly what we did this weekend, nothing. . . . .! and it was great for a change.

I made fresh lemonade and iced tea and we had lots of bottled water on ice. A friend was staying with us and she made a cranberry juice mimosa (without the alcohol).

It was my favorite drink this weekend. We had an abundance of fresh blueberries which we froze and added to our drinks. It was fun to have the unexpected frozen blueberries to crunch on.

Here are a couple of simple refreshing drinks to keep you cool this summer. They take under 10 minutes to prepare a pitcher-full, and they are flexible, easy, fast, and refreshing.

A classic homemade lemonade is quick and easy. Pour into a large pitcher and garnish with any fresh berries you have on hand.

Basic Lemonade

• Lemons (approximately 10 for a pitcher)
• Simple Syrup (equal parts water & sugar)
• Lots of ice
  
  Instructions
  
• Prepare the simple syrup. Boil 2 cups of water and add 2 cups of sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved and remove from heat (only takes a few seconds). Cool down before adding to the squeezed lemons.
• Cut 1/2 of one lemon into thin slices and set aside.
• Squeeze lemons and add to pitcher. Slowly add the simple syrup and taste for desired sweetness. Add more water or lemons to taste.
• Garnish with sliced lemons, fresh mint leaves and enjoy.

For a new spin on lemonade, try this refreshing drink. I found this recipe on Eating Well. It's a little more involved, but it is well worth it if you are having garden fresh salads and a great way to use the fresh rosemary in your garden.

Rosemary-Infused Cucumber Lemonade

• 3 large cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons agave syrup

Preparation



• Cut 12 thin slices of cucumber for garnish.
• Peel and chop the rest of the cucumber; transfer to a food processor, add rosemary and puree.
  
• Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Press on the solids to extract all the juice.
  
• Add water, lemon juice and agave syrup to the cucumber juice; stir until the agave is dissolved.
  
• Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs.

And my favorite drink this weekend:

Claudia's Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Juice Mimosa

• Cranberry Juice
• raspberry flavored club soda*
• strawberry for garnish and sprig of mint

Instructions

• Combine juice and club soda in a pitcher.
• Garnish with strawberry and fresh mint sprig.

*You can use ginger ale, or plain sparkling water in place of the flavored club soda.


Salute!
Winelady Cooks