Cool Treats to Beat the Heat

The sun rays hammer on your scalp and you sweat from simply breathing. Its hot, darn hot, and the last thing you want to eat is a heavy meal. Cool and refreshing foods and drinks can make a big difference in your mood, but let's be honest - there is only so much lemonade and iced tea one can drink before it becomes old and boring! You want something to help cool you down and shield you from the heat, but cannot bear the same-old, same-old. With a little creativity and change of ingredients, you can spice up summertime staples easily for an extra treat that will help you stay cool.

Iced Tea - Sun-brewed iced tea, while refreshing and inexpensive, can get boring after many days. Why not add some herbs while brewing to liven up the tea? Fresh mints make very refreshing additions to iced tea, and may give the added benefit of helping with digestion. Camomile is another favorite, as it is very soothing and relaxing.

Lemonade - Lemonade made from scratch (with real lemons) is much tastier than the powdered variety, and is more easily adapted to keep your taste buds interested. Instead of just lemons, juice a few oranges to go along with the lemons. Or, like the iced tea, add your favorite cooling herb (making a tea infusion of the the herb works well) to your lemonade for an extra kick.

Popsicles - These frozen treats are not just for kids! Homemade popsicles can be a good way to get your fruit in a cool and refreshing way. Make them interesting and healthy by using real fruit juice instead of the mixes. Add chopped fruit pieces for an extra treat. You can also make a smoothie-pop by blending orange juice (one quart), two cups of fruit (strawberries are ideal), sugar to taste, and vanilla yogurt. Pour it into the molds and freeze, and in a few hours you will have a smoothie-on-a-stick.

Grape Juice - Liven up your grape juice with soda water and fruit. Slice one orange and one apple. Add about ¾ quart of soda water to about one quart of grape juice. Add about three tablespoons of sugar (or more, to taste). Pour into cups and garnish with the orange and apple slices, or float a maraschino cherry (with stem attached) in the cup.

Milk - Make your milk more interesting by adding seasonal fruit and ice. Blend fruit such as banana, mango, papaya, strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, or guava with one cup of milk and 1-2 tsp of sugar (to taste). Make sure you blend it well, so that it is very smooth. Strain it through a sieve so the seeds or excess fiber is removed. Serve as-is, or add ice to make it extra-cold.

Coconut Milk - This one takes a bit longer to prepare, but it is worth the effort. Originating in Old San Juan, this Horchata is a wonderful treat. Soak two cups of white rice in water for about forty-five minutes. Drain the rice and pulse in a food processor or blender five times. Transfer the pulsed rice to a large bowl and add 4-6 cups of water and 1 cup of coconut milk. Add 2 tsp of cinnamon and let stand for one hour. After one hour, strain it so that the bulky rice is removed, and add 1 cup of sugar (or more, to taste). Be sure to stir well so the sugar dissolves well. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve over ice. You can sprinkle a bit of cinnamon in the glass before serving, if desired.

Coffee - Not only for mornings, coffee can be a nice afternoon cooling treat. Instant coffee (1 ½ tbsp) can be added to 3 cups of cold milk, 1/3 cup chocolate or caramel syrup, and 2 tbsp sugar. Blend well in a blender and pour into glasses. Top the drink with a small scoop of ice cream and enjoy!

Chocolate Milk - Liven up your chocolate milk by adding ¼ tsp peppermint extract and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Chill and serve over ice. For an extra smooth treat, add chocolate or vanilla ice cream and blend thoroughly.

Hot Tea - Yes, I said hot tea. Don't faint - many people in very hot areas of the world actually drink strong, hot tea in the hottest weather. It keeps the body cooler by allowing it to sweat.

Use your imagination and be creative - summertime treats don't have to become boring. Of course, many of these drinks can be altered for a more "adult" party, if needed. Enjoy!