I’m too hot to even think of turning on any stove or oven, so this month’s issue is dedicated to drinks. These are all mocktails, but feel free to get creative and pour your favorite additions to make it to your liking.
I mean, who doesn’t love drinks, right? But I especially love flavors that aren’t common or you wouldn’t necessarily put together unless someone gave you a recipe. (Enter, me. Hi.) I also love exposing my kids to new beverage concoctions over the same old juices and sodas.
Hope you give these refreshing drinks a try and try to keep cool in this disrespectful heat.
Blue Raspberry Cucumber Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of lime for decor
- 1/4 cup blackberries
- 2 tbsp. simple syrup or agave
- 10-12 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup cucumber juice
- 1 cup seltzer water
- 1/2 tsp. spirulina powder
- 1/4 cup water
- lime juice to taste
Directions:
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Muddle the blackberries and mint in a large pitcher.
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Add in the simple syrup, lime juice, seltzer water and cucumber juice and stir together.
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In a separate small bowl, mix together the spirulina and 1/4 water and set aside.
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In a glass, add in ice cubes, pour in the blackberry mixture leaving room at the top.
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Slowly pour in the blue spirulina mixture over the top.
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Garnish with lime slices and more mint and enjoy.
Optional: Add in rum to make it an adult beverage.
Coconut Matcha Frappuccino
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup coconut milk ice cubes (freeze the night before)
- 1 cup of sweetened coconut milk
- 1-2 tsp. matcha powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
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In a high-powered blender, add all ingredients and blend until a creamy consistency.
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Pour into a serving glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
Optional: Add in coconut vodka to make it an adult beverage.
Purple Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients:
Lavender simple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. food safe lavender
Lemonade
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2-3 cups water
- 1/2 tsp. butterfly pea powder mixed with 1/4 cup water
Directions:
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Make the lavender simple syrup by combining the sugar, water and lavender in a small pot and heating together until all the sugar is dissolved. You can prefer to strain out the lavender or keep it in.
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In a pitcher, combine lemon juice, water and lavender simple syrup. Stir together and do a taste test if you need more lemon or sugar.
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Add ice to a glass, pour in the lavender lemonade, then slowly pour in a little of the butterfly pea powder mix for a fun change of color.
Optional: Add in bourbon or tequila to make it an adult beverage.
Raspberry Lychee Cooler
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup canned lychees
- 3-4 basil leaves
- 2 cups seltzer or water
- sweetener of choice to taste
Directions:
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In a pitcher, muddle together the raspberries, lychees and basil.
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Add in the water or seltzer with the sweetener of your choice. Stir together.
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In a glass, add ice and pour drink. Garnish with a basil leaf and raspberry.
Optional: Add in gin to make it an adult beverage.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
Ingredients:
- 1 small watermelon, cut up (about 5-6 cups)
- 2-3 limes
- 3 tbsp. honey or agave
- 2 cups water
- mint for garnish
Directions:
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In a high-speed blender, add in the watermelon cubes, juice of 2 limes, agave/honey and water and blend until smooth.
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Strain through a sieve, cheesecloth or nut milk bag. Taste for sweetness and lime. Adjust if necessary.
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Serve over ice with mint as a garnish.
Optional: Add midori to make it an adult beverage.
Mango Passionfruit Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 2 cups passionfruit juice
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 – 1 cup coconut milk
- honey or agave to taste
Directions:
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In a high-speed blender, add in all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Taste for sweetness and serve cold.
Optional: Add pineapple rum to make it an adult beverage.
From Z to A with Zara Abbasi
Zara Abbasi is the pastry chef and recipe developer for Zara Made It. Follow her food adventures on Instagram at @zaramadeit.