Summer Sizzler: Break the Ice with These Summer Beverages

So, summer is here and we are looking for creative ideas to give our guests a cool treat. Forget about boring Koolaid and Tang. Go to your grocery store now so you can try these new and improved recipes that can tell your guests you are a fanatic when it comes to making iced drinks. Get the patio area ready because your guests won't want to leave.

Iced Coffee served with Strawberries and Lemon Ice.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. of Kenya coffee- ($5.99 at your local Starbucks)
1 cup of fresh strawberries (frozen is also acceptable)
Lemon Sherbet
(click on the link to see the recipe for lemon sherbet)

We will first brew the coffee at double strength. This means that you should put twice the amount coffee to half the amount of water. Hint: 3oz of water to two tbsp. of coffee.
While the coffee is brewing, rinse and cut your strawberries in half so that they have a nice inner core. With a small serving scoop, place the lemon ice inside of the core.
Now, place it in the freezer until your guests arrive.

Great, add two cups of ice to coffee. We can go ahead and put the iced coffee in a nice serving pitcher. As you decorate your table, try adding some cute umbrellas to the glasses to give the look of a cocktail. If you want to really impress them, have a shaker ready to shake the iced coffee. This will give it the look of gourmet coffee.

Remember to add condiments such as cream and sugar to complete your look.

Now that your guests are arriving, take the strawberries out of the freezer and place them on a decorative platter. Hint, a deviled egg platter will work just fine.

Lemonade blended with Green Tea
16 oz. of lemonade (any brand)
10 oz. of ice
4 bags of Tazo brand zen green tea
4 pkts. of splenda

First, brew the four bags of tea to 12 oz. of steaming hot water.
Let it brew for 4 minutes. Remove bags.
Let it cool for 20 minutes.

Blend the above mentioned ingredients for a cool treat on a hot summer day. You can serve this with a traditional summer pie.

Iced Chai Latte with Cucumber sandwiches
Tazo Chai Concentrate (local grocer in the coffee and tea section)
1 gallon of 2% milk
1 large cucumber
1 loaf of white bread
4 oz. of butter

Pour 3 oz. of chai into a 16 oz. cup. Add 7 oz. of milk. Add ice if desired.

Cut off the ends of the bread and butter each slice.
Peel the cucumber and thinly slice the cucumber.
Then place each thinly sliced piece onto the bread.
Make a sandwich with each piece.

You can find alternate recipes here:
Cucumber sandwiches

Serve in decorative 16 oz. glasses.

You can beat the heat this summer with these great recipes. Remember to stop by your local grocery stores and pick up the selected brands. The Kenya coffee also pairs well with grapefruits, oranges, tangerines and any other citrus based fruit. You can get creative and add some zest to these recipes.

The lemonade blended with green tea can be a refreshing break from the hot sun. Green tea is a natural source of antioxidants and can boost your energy levels. The Chai Latte is also a great black tea that can also be served hot.

These recipes can be altered to your desired preference.