Light and Fruity Labor Day Drink Recipes

Cook outs and barbeques have become a common part of the Labor Day weekend. Labor Day has, according to the US Department of Labor, been celebrated in the US since 1882. Light, refreshing drinks are nice a nice addition to Labor Day meals - or for any warm summery day. Raspberry Lemonade Punch or Light Fruity Kool-Aid Punch with Lemonade Ice Cubes are refreshing, easy-to-make (non-alcoholic) drinks to enjoy on a hot day.

Lemonade Ice Cubes

The Lemonade Ice Cubes take the most planning ahead of these three recipes. That is because of the time it takes to freeze them so they will be ready. Flavored ice cubes are nice because they enhance the flavor of the drinks rather than diluting the drinks as they melt.

Ingredient List

1 package of Lemonade Flavored Soft Drink Mix (Kool-Aid - for an example)

1 Cup Sugar

2 Quarts Water

Ice cube trays

Directions
Mix up the lemonade mix with water and sugar as directed on the package.

Pour into ice cube trays

Freeze

If you are making up a punch bowl for your drinks I recommend freezing the lemonade into a large ice ring, freezer bags, or in a medium sized plastic bowl (or two). A large piece of ice will take longer to melt than ice cubes take. Ice cubes would be best for going directly into glasses while the larger flavored ice would be best for a punch bowl.

Raspberry Lemonade Punch

This punch is super easy to make and it tastes like it took a lot of work. With flavored ice cubes it stretches the quantity a little bit further..

Ingredient List

1 - 12 ounce can of raspberry lemonade frozen juice concentrate

36 ounces of unflavored carbonated soda water

1 2 liter bottle of lemon-lime flavored soda

1 or 2 lemons (as garnish)

Directions
Substitute carbonated water for regular water

Combine juice concentrate, lemon-lime soda, and carbonated water

Wash the outside of the lemons

Slice the lemons fairly thin

Cut a small slit in the lemons so they can be placed on the rim of a punch bowl or on the glasses

Serve with flavored ice

Light Fruity Kool-Aid Punch

You don't have to use Kool-Aid brand drink mix for this recipe - any brand or flavor you like will work.

Ingredient List

1 package soft drink mix - choose the flavor according to your personal preference. I like the ones that do not have artificial coloring the best.

2 Quarts water

1 cup sugar

1 - 2 liter bottle lemon-lime flavored soda

1 can of pineapple juice

1 quart of rainbow sherbet

Directions
Mix the drink mix, water, and sugar as per package directions

Pour all of the liquids into the punch bowl. If it does not all fit at once put about half of each and mix up more later.

Float the rainbow sherbet on top of the punch. It is pretty, adds flavor, plus it cools the punch in the bowl.

If you also have flavored ice cubes, drop a cube into each glass to help keep it cold without diluting the drinks.

Sources

http://www.dol.gov/OPA/ABOUTDOL/LABORDAY.HTM