Watermelon cucumber basil seltzer

This quick and easy drink is perfect for family pool days. Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup diced watermelon
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 6-8 fresh basil leaves
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1 cup of water
  • 3 tablespoons simple syrup
  • 3 cups seltzer water
1. For fruit concentrate: Place watermelon, cucumber, basil and lime in a pitcher and smash with wooden spoon to release juices. Stir in water. Let mixture sit in fridge overnight, then strain.
2. For each serving of soda, combine 1/4 cup fruit concentrate, 1 teaspoon simple syrup and 3/4 cup seltzer water in a glass of ice.
Try other flavor combinations:
Cranberry Orange Ginger: 1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen (thawed) 1/2 orange, 1 teaspoon fresh, sliced ginger
Pineapple Lemon Ginger: 1 cup chopped pineapple, fresh or frozen (thawed) 1/2 lemon, 1 teaspoon fresh, sliced ginger
Source: EatingWell.com

Sun tea

Would it be summer without sun tea? And it couldn’t be easier to make your own.
Ingredients
  • 4-8 tea bags
Put tea bags in a 2 quart or gallon glass container — 4 tea bags for 2-quart container, 8 for gallon container. Fill with water and cap. Place outside where the sunlight can hit the container for 3-5 hours, move if necessary to keep it in the sun. When the tea has reached desired strength, remove from sun and put in the refrigerator. Add sprigs of fresh mint when ready to drink.

Avocado margarita

This creamy, colorful cocktail will definitely get the party started. Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup lime juice1/4 cup triple sec
  • 3 tablespoons simple syrup
  • 1 avocado, pitted and scooped
  • 3 cups ice cubes
1. Combine salt and chili powder on a small plate.
2. Place tequila, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, avocado and ice cubes in blender
3. Rub the rims of six glasses with a lime wedge and dip in the salt mixture.
Source: EatingWell.com

Sparkling sangria

This refreshingly sweet sangria tastes as good as it looks. Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 cup quartered small strawberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped nectarine
  • 1/3 cup brandy
  • 1 cup apricot nectar, chilled
  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle cava or prosecco, chilled
Combine fruit with brandy in large pitcher and chill for at least 2 hours. Stir in 1 cup nectar and wine, serve immediately. Top each beverage with mint sprig for fragrant garnish.
Source: MyRecipes.com
This article was originally published in Community Health for The School Districts of Midwestern Health Combine.