The four summer drink recipes that follow are not only refreshing and cooling, but they also add color to any table.
SERVES 8
ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR
| 2 | cups water |
| ½ | cup agave (more to taste) |
| 1 | cup fresh lemon juice (from 6 lemons), plus 1 lemon, sliced for serving |
| 1 | pound cleaned strawberries |
| 16 | ounces seltzer, chilled |
| Mint sprigs for serving |
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water and agave to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until combined, about 1 minute.
2. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cool, about 45 minutes.
3. Add lemon juice to pitcher and stir to combine.
4. In a blender, puree strawberries until smooth.
5. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher with lemon syrup, pressing on solids. Stir well to combine.
6. To serve, stir in seltzer and divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with lemon slices and mint sprigs.
SERVES 8
ACTIVE TIME: 20-25 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 40-45 MINUTES
| 1¼ | cups water |
| ½ | cup agave |
|
cup coarsely chopped fresh mint |
| 1 | tablespoon grated lime peel |
| 1 | tablespoon grated lemon peel |
| 12 | cups seeded watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes |
| ¼ | cup fresh lime juice |
| 1 | tablespoon fresh lemon juice |
1. Combine 1¼ cups water and agave in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat; stir in mint, lime peel, and lemon peel. Let stand 20 minutes.
3. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, discarding solids.
4. Place one third each of agave mixture and watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Pour puree into a large pitcher.
5. Repeat the procedure twice with remaining syrup and watermelon. Stir in lime juice and lemon juice.
6. Serve over ice or refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir before serving.
SERVES 8
ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 24 HOURS
| 3 | cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped, plus thinly sliced cucumber for serving |
| ¼ | cup water |
| ½ | cup fresh mint leaves |
| 1 | lime, thinly sliced |
| 1 | tablespoon agave syrup |
| 24 | ounces club soda |
1. In a blender, puree chopped cucumbers and ¼ cup water.
2. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over a large bowl, pressing on solids. You can prepare 2 cups of juice the day before and chill in the refrigerator.
3. In a pitcher, mash mint leaves with the back of a wooden spoon until bruised, add agave syrup, cucumber juice, thinly sliced lime, and club soda. Stir to combine.
4. Serve over ice with a nearly transparent cucumber slice as a garnish
SERVES 1
This tart, sweet, and minty drink delivers a real kick in the pants. If you prepare the simple syrup in advance, this drink takes no time at all. You might want to make a pitcherful on a hot night.
| 2 | sprigs mint |
| 1 | lime, cut into pieces |
| ¾ | ounce fresh lime juice |
| 1 | ounce simple syrup (recipe follows) |
| 2 | ounces gin |
| 3-4 | ounces soda water |
1. Muddle 1 sprig of mint with the lime pieces, lime juice, and simple syrup in the bottom of a bar glass.
2. Transfer to a cocktail shaker. Add gin and shake well.
3. Pour into a glass over crushed ice and stir until the outside of the glass frosts.
4. Top with soda water, garnish with remaining sprig of mint, and serve.
MAKES 8 SERVINGS
ACTIVE TIME: 1 MINUTE
TOTAL TIME: 11 MINUTES
Simple syrup is 1 part sugar to 1 part water. It is used in iced tea in the South and in other drinks everywhere.
| ½ | cup unrefined sugar |
| ½ | cup water |
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool.