Quick and Easy Summer Recipes - Cool Drinks and Grilled Desserts

It's that time again- summertime. The season to fire up the grill, savor cool and lush desserts, and drink that fruity cocktail. Here I've compiled a few great summertime recipes that allow you to enjoy one of the best aspects of summer - the great food and the even better drinks!

The best thing for a hot summer day is a cool, refreshing drink. One of my favorites is a drink called 'Lemonade Punch'. Recipes comes from allrecipes.com and is the perfect treat for a hot summer day. Better yet, it's very easy and quick to make.

Lemonade Punch (Serves 22/ 4 ounce servings)
3 (6 ounce) can of frozen lemonade concentrate (can even be pink lemonade if you so desire) 1 jar of Maraschino cherris. 1 liter bottle of a lemon-lime type carbonated beverage (such as sprite or 7-up) 1 bottle of red wine and some fresh lemon and orange slices

The first step is to take a pitcher and mix together 1 can of frozen lemonade concentrate and then fill up the lemonade concentrate can with water and mix that into the pitcher. Pour this lemonade/water mixture into an ice cube tray. Place a Maraschino cherry into each individual ice cube holder and then freeze.

Next step is to mix the remaining two concentrated lemonade cans, the carbonated lemon-lime soda, and the red wine into a punch bowl. After the cherry ice cubs have frozen, you'll want to add them to the punch bowl. Then for visual effect you should garnish the sides of the punch bowl with your fresh lemon and orange slices. It's that easy!

The next delicious summer drink even has the season in its name. This one has a few more ingredients, but it's also very simple and quick to make with an actual prep time of about ten minutes.

Frozen Summer Slush (Recipe serves 16)
7 cups water, 4 tea bags, 2 cups white sugar, 2 cups boiling water, 1 can of orange juice concentrate (frozen),1 can of lemonade concentrate (frozen), and 2 cups gin

The first step is to put the 7 cups of water into a saucepan and heat until it is boiling. Add the sugar into the boiling water and stir unto the sugar is dissolved. Set this saucepan aside to cool after sugar has dissolved. Next place the two tea bags into 2 cups boiling water and leave until preferred strength is acquired. In a large bowl (punchbowl if you have one) mix together the tea, sugar water, and the lemonade and orange juice concentrates. Stir the gin into the mixture. Place your bowl in the freezer and allow it to sit overnight. When ready to serve, scoop up the drink with an ice-cream dipper and serve in a garnished glass.

If these drinks don't cure your summer sweet tooth then a special grilled treat may do the trick.

Grilled Pineapple Slices (Serves 8)

This unique treat takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook. You'll need 1 fresh pineapple peeled and cut into rings. You can also use a can of pre-sliced pineapple, ½ cup cinnamon sugar, and ½ cup canned coconut milk

Pre-heat a grill to medium heat. After the grill has warmed up lightly oil the grates. Place the coconut milk into a bowl and then place the cinnamon sugar into a separate bowl. Dip the pineapple slices into the coconut milk and then you can either sprinkle the cinnamon sugar onto the slice or dip it into the cinnamon sugar bowl. Grill the pineapple slices for six minutes on each side. Then serve and enjoy!

These recipes are just a few that you can enjoy making and drinking/eating. They are very simple and quick to make. Your family and friend will be sure to love them. Happy Summer!