Summer Beverage Recipe for Everybody

We've got all seen them, either on TV or while sitting in a restaurant, those beverages that just seem like summertime. They have a refreshing, thirst-quenching look that makes them very appealing to the eye and most of the ones I have tried have the identical appeal to the taste buds.

What gives them that summer look and allure? I feel it is the fresh fruit and green blossoms floating in the liquid. So what exactly does it take to create those summer drink recipes for your next summer gathering or easy cookout?

An ingredient in many drink recipes is simple syrup. Make your very own syrup and spice it up with fresh herbs. Just like infusing herbs with oil or vinegar you can infuse them into easy syrup. It's fast and simple to create and your spiced simple syrup can't only be used on your favorite summer drink recipes but it can also be used to sweeten tea.

 * 2 cups sugar (or baking quality synthetic sweetener)

 * 2 cups of plain water 

 * Herb of choice (1 cup Basil or Mint or Lemon Verbena or 3 sprigs Rosemary are only some of the choices)

Tip: Use fewer herbs should you select ones with a more powerful taste, for example, Rosemary.

Directions:

Blend the sugar and herbs; use a muddler to crush the herb into the sugar. This releases the oils from the herbs and provides the syrup taste. In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar/herb mix, bring to a slow boil and stir till the sugar has dissolved. Permit the syrup to cool and then strain. Your simple syrup is now able to be refrigerated and stored for about a month.

Most summer beverage recipes can be made with or without alcohol so the recipes may be employed to satisfy all your guests. The traditional recipes for all the beverages call for alcohol but I have tried a lot of them they are still quite tasty. Have you ever attempted a non-alcoholic Mojito? It's really just sparkling mint limeade and can be quite yummy. You can adjust any of those recipes by not including or omitting alcohol.

Basil Lemonade:

 * 2 cups lemon juice (approx. 15 lemons if squeezing fresh)

 * 2 cups Basil Simple Syrup

 * Water or sparkling water to taste (start with 2 cups and add more if needed)

Directions:

Combine ingredients and refrigerate. Serve over ice and garnish with basil leaves and a lemon twist.

Mojito:

 * 6 tablespoons lime juice (approx. 1 lime if squeezing refreshing )

 * 8 big mint leaves

 * 4 Tablespoons sugar

 * 2-3 ounce of light rum

 * Club soda

Instructions:

In a glass, mix the mint leaves, sugar and lime juice with a muddler. (Mint easy syrup can be utilized in place of the mint and sugar leaves-start with 4 Tablespoons and add more until desired sweetness.) Add ice, rum, club soda and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Tip: Change your mojitos with the addition of fruit. Blend a fresh fruit puree (strawberries, melon, etc.) by using a food processor to decrease the fruit into the pulp, then strain out some of bigger pieces of fruit that remain. Mix the fruit puree in with the other ingredients prior to adding the club soda.

Herb Soda:

 * 3-4 Tablespoons Simple Syrup infused with your selection of an herb (see recipe)

 * Fresh herbs depart or sprigs for garnish

 * Splash of lemon juice

 * Sparkling water or club soda

Instructions:

Fill glasses with ice; add lemon juice, simple syrup and club soda (or sparkling water) and stir fry. Add fresh herbs.

So now you understand what to do to wow your guests with appealing and tasty summer drink recipes. Get creative and create a few of your very own by combining some of these recipes and tips with a number of your own.

Report this Page