Independence Day is tomorrow! In preparation for the holiday, we thought we could share some of our favorite party drinks! These refreshing beverages will not only treat your taste buds but also help you to beat this intense summer heat.
All of these drinks are alcohol free because we believe alcohol doesn't have to be a part of the equation for fun. Now, onto the recipes!
First off, Fun Party Drinks:
Fizzy Mint Lemonade
Serves 6
Ingredients:Mint Leaves
Spring Water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
Zest of two lemons
Juice of two lemons
1 (1-liter) Bottle of Plain Seltzer, well chilled
Directions:
To make the Mint Ice, place a mint leaf in each compartment of an ice cube tray and fill it with spring water. Freeze until solid.
To make the Lemon Syrup, combine the sugar, water, and lemon zest in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until somewhat thickened. Cool the syrup to room temperature, then stir in the lemon juice, and strain into an airtight container. Chill before using.
To serve, place two mint ice cubes in each of 6 large wineglasses, divide the syrup evenly among them, and stir about 3/4 cup seltzer into each.
Mango Rita
Serves 2
Ingredients:
Lime Wedge, for rimming
Colored Coarse Salt, for rimming
1 mango, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup prepared margarita mix
1/4 cup orange juice
2 mango slices, for garnish
Directions:
Rub the lime wedge around the rims of 2 margarita glasses, then dip the rims of the glasses into the salt.
Combine the diced mango, ice, margarita mix,and orange juice in an electric blender and puree until smooth. Divide the mixture between the two rimmed glasses and serve garnished with the mango slices.
Tweety Bird
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1/2 cup orange juice, well chilled
1/2 cup white grapefruit juice, well chilled
1/2 cup pineapple juice, well chilled
1 cup lemon-lime soda
1/2 cup bitter lemon soda, well chilled
4 pineapple wedges, for garnish
Directions:
Pour the fruit juices into a small pitcher and stir to combine. Just before serving, stir in the lemon-lime and bitter lemon sodas, divide among 4 highball glasses, and serve garnished with the pineapple wedges.
*All of the above recipes are from the book, "Zero-Proof Cocktails, Alcohol Free Beverages for Every Occasion" by Liz Scott.
Perhaps you are one that enjoys an alcoholic beverage every now and again, if you do consume one such drink then these juice recipes may be helpful for the day after.
Here are some delicious cleansers:
Berrylicious
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 handful strawberries hulled
2 handfuls raspberries
4 ice cubes
Directions:
Juice the strawberries and raspberries together. Transfer to blender and blend with ice.
Waterfall
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1/4 of a Watermelon, flesh and seeds scooped out
1 lime, peeled
Directions:
Juice the watermelon and the lime together. Enjoy.
Clean
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1/4 large cucumber chopped
1 apple. cored and chopped
4 mint leaves
Directions:
Juice all ingredients together and stir.
*The last three recipes are from "Juice!-Delicious Juices to Enjoy Throughout the Day", by Pippa Cuthbert & Lindsay Cameron Wilson.
oooh ahhh....perfect !
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