This is the time for a big glass of an icy drink. The summer lends its'elf to cool frosty lemonades and iced teas. They're just as easy to make as they are to drink.
Lemonade is a classic going back to ancient Egyptian times. There pharaohs drank it with dates mixed in for sweetness.As early as 1676 in Paris a company called Companie de Limonadiers sold the drink.In1833 the British combined lemonade and seltzer to more or less form the first lemon soda. here in the States it's a standard being made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple sugar and water. Everyone makes the mistake of adding just sugar. A simple syrup has to be cooked up first. This blends the best in any liquid , even cocktails and mocktails.It'sj ust cooking one cup of granulated sugar in a cup of water until you create a thin syrup. A good lemonade requires one cup of freshly squeezed lemonade, simple syrup and two to three cups of water to dilute it. Add plenty of ice and stir. For a nice change try a strawberry lemonade.It just adding a half pound of hulled and pureed strawberries to the mix and stirring vigorously. Limeade is another fun drink with tropical vibes. Like lemonade it does require simple syrup and the juice of four to six Persian limes (what's sold in your grocery store). Squeeze and mix with the syrup and three cups of water. Mint can be added for flavor.
Iced tea is another homemade drink that 's been around since Marguerite Gardener, Lady Blessington, cohort of Lord Byron wrote about sipping it in Naples in 1823. It's a classic that 's grabbed the world by storm and is a summer must have. Like lemonade it's also easy to make. You need eight cups of water and six tea bags of black tea like Celestial Seasonings Earl Grey or English breakfast variety. If you're not into black tea then try green or flavored tea. Celestial Seasonings has great fruit flavored herbal teas like tangerine orange that will make the drink punchy. It's just then brewing the bags in a saucepan for ten minutes. You should use eight cups of water.Any water filtered or tap can be used. As for sweeteners. granulated sugar works best but you can also add honey or agave syrup for a more organic and natural bent. Combine the tea with lemonade for the classic Arnold Palmer, always a fun accompaniment at a barbecue or summertime lunch. Fruit such as blueberries or strawberries can added for a tasty kick.Peach slices work too.
Nothing is more refreshing than a glass of lemonade,limeade or iced tea on a hot summer's day. Make any one to quench your thirst. It's a great way of cooling off.
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