Summer's Thirsty

A beautiful friday afternoon, there's a warm breeze passing through, the summer weather is finally here! First things first, sunbathing beside the pool, with the right music, and people, anything's possible. It's a hot day, after all, something's missing... why it's your refreshing beverage! The best accessory while lounging! Now, you can stick with the original team of pool drinks, beer, iced tea, lemonade, or water.

Why not spruce up your summertime with a few different beverages, worth sipping on and cooling you off!

Here are a few of my favourites for the summer!

1) Pomegranate Fizzes

-->Ingredients<--

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

4 cups of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice

1/4 cup of sugar or honey <-- Optional

1 2 liter bottle of carbonated water

-Extra ice cubes

-Fresh mint sprigs <-- Optional

-Pomegranate seeds <-- Optional

--->Directions<---

For syrup; place mint leaves in a pitcher, using a wooden spoon, gently bruise the leaves.

Add pomegranate juice and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Cover and chill for 2-4 hours. 

For each glass pour 1/4 of the the syrup and 1/2 cup of carbonated water over ice cubes and stir

to combine. If desired, you can garnish with the mint sprigs and pomegranate seeds, and serve after.

2) White Sangria

-->Ingredients<--

1 bottle of fruity white wine, like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc

1/4 cup of orange liqueur <--if you don't have the liqueur, you can always use juice

1 medium peach, washed, sliced, and pitted (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 cup of strawberries, washed, and sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 cup of green grapes, halved

1 cup of bing cherries, pitted and halved

-Extra ice cubes

-Fresh mint sprigs <-- Optional

-Carbonated water <-- Optional

-->Directions<--

In a large pitcher, mix the white wine and orange liqueur . Add the peach slices, strawberries, orange slices, grapes, and cherries. Stir gently and let refrigerate for 2 hours.

For each glass, pour 1/4 of the wine and liqueur mix over ice cubes, and 1/2 cup of carbonated water( if desired). You can also garnish with the mint sprigs and serve after.

3)Flavoured Water

-->Ingredients<--

750ml of water

1/2 pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup of blackberries

1 cup of cherries, pitted

Carbonated water<-- Option instead of water

Coconut Water <--Option instead of water

---> Flavour ideas<---

Basil

Blackberries

Cherries

Cucumber

Grapefruit

Green apple

Lavender

Lemon

Lime

Mango

Mint leaves

Orange

Papaya

Pineapple

Pomegranate 

Raspberries

Sage

Strawberries

Thyme

Watermelon

-->Directions<--

Take a pitcher pour water, and fruit together gently, stir if need be.

Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, and serve in glass after.

Three wonderful, refreshing drinks for the summer. There is nothing like sprucing something up with carbonated water, and it's a great substitute for soda too.
Have a wonderful afternoon by the pool!!