REFRESHING SUMMER SALAD

 SUMMER DRINKS

Summer is here! But it doesn't matter what date's on the calendar—it isn't officially summer until you've had your first glass of a classic lemonade, the ultimate homemade summer drinks. We bring to you some of the quintessential thirst-quenchers for a 40-degree day, and it gets even more refreshing when you give our glass one of our homemade twist.

Once you have these summer cooler recipes mastered, summer will be just another season.

Try these fizzy, fruity mocktails that is sure to be a hit at your next summer cookout, brunch, birthday bash.

 FUN POPSICLE PUNCH

Nothing screams summer louder than using popsicles in place of ice cubes in this refreshingly fun mango-strawberry lemonade. Using popsicles as ice cubes is the smartest thing we have come up with. Pull off a genius trick by adding popsicles to any summer drink recipes at your next summer party.

INGREDIENTS

1 glass lemonade

1 bottle of club soda

1 cup sliced strawberries, plus more garnish

2 mangoes, cubed, plus more for garnish

3 Popsicle Strawberry Fruit Pops

3 Popsicle Mango Fruit Pops

METHOD

In a large pitcher, stir together soda, lemonade, sliced strawberries and mangoes. Pour into glasses and garnish the rim with a strawberry and mango slice. Place a popsicle in as garnish.

WATERMELON LEMONADE

This easy-to-make drink combines two summertime favorites: lemonade and watermelon juice. If you're feeling adventurous, freeze watermelon cubes beforehand and use them in place of ice cubes!

INGREDIENTS

6 cups cubed seedless watermelon , chilled

4 cups cold water

3/4 cup fresh strained lemon juice

2/3 cup granulated sugar (more or less to taste)

Ice and fresh mint for serving

METHOD

Add watermelon to a blender and pulse until well pureed (there should be about 4 cups). Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl.

In a large pitcher whisk together water, lemon juice and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Stir in pureed watermelon. Stir in ice and mint (alternately add ice and mint directly to individual cups and pour lemonade over). Store in refrigerator.

*If you don't have time to chill the ingredients then just use more ice in place of some of the water.

 MELON SORBET FLOATS

This fun and colourful melon sorbet float is fruity and fizzy, and a great summer drink recipe!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of assorted melon scooped into balls (watermelon, muskmelon, etc)

2 scoops lemon, raspberry, or other fruity sorbet

fresh mint leaves

1 ltr club soda

METHOD

Freeze the melon balls for at least three hours until frozen.

To make the drink, put the sorbet into the bottom of a glass, then top with the frozen melon balls. Drop in as much fresh mint as you'd like (anywhere from a couple leaves to a handful), then top with soda.

Let the sorbet melt to sweeten and flavor the drink. Enjoy!

GINGER PEACH SODA

This impressively beautiful, fresh, and delicious summer drink can be enjoyed by kids and adults, whether it’s at a special family gathering or a larger party with friends and neighbours.

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. minced fresh ginger

2 very ripe peaches

1 ltr club soda

16 fresh mint leaves

1 cup granulated sugar (more or less to taste)

METHOD

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, bring 1 cup water, sugar, and ginger to a gentle simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove simple syrup from heat, cover, and steep for about 30 minutes.

Over a medium bowl, pour syrup through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing minced ginger against sieve with the back of a spoon to extract flavor. Discard ginger. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled.

Evenly distribute peach slices among 4 tall glasses. For each glass, lightly press peaches with the back of a wooden spoon to release their juice. Pour about 2 tablespoons chilled syrup over peaches. (Store remaining syrup in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.) Add ice cubes; then top with the soda. Stir to distribute syrup, peach juice, and seltzer evenly. Garnish with 2 mint leaves.

NON-ALCOHOLIC SANGRIA

Not only does this refreshing drink taste great, but it's also full of antioxidant-packed fruits meaning it's healthy too!

Sangria is a typical Spanish beverage and it’s usually made with red wine, chopped fruit and some sweetener. Some people also add liquor or spices like cinnamon. Our recipe is so simple, but it has a great flavor. I used white grape juice instead of red wine, it has an intense grape flavor and is much healthier because it has no alcohol. I blended the juice with 1/4 cup of blueberries (40 grams) to get this beautiful red color. You can also use other fruits such as other kinds of berries or red grape juice.

INGREDIENTS

4 cups white grape juice (1 l)

1/4 cup blueberries (40 g) + 3/4 cup blueberries (120 g)

1 cup orange juice (250 ml)

Juice of 1 lime + 2 limes

2 oranges

2 bananas

2 peaches

METHOD

Blend the white grape juice with 1/4 cup blueberries (40 g). Pour this liquid mixture in a jar or bowl.

Add the orange and the lime juice. Stir until is well mixed.

Place ice in a jar, add the liquid mixture, the chopped fruits (2 oranges, 2 bananas, 2 limes and 2 peaches) and 3/4 cup of blueberries. Let stand the sangria in the fridge for about 2 hours.

Each drink here is simple to make, and the components can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. Each one has its own character to it, and highlights different types of gorgeous summer fruit. Go ahead and try these recipes and do let us know which one was the best drink to chill out with on a hot sunny afternoon.