Summer weather brings not only sunny, long days, but also some pretty amazing food. From cookouts in the backyard to devouring tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, summer is full of opportunities to enjoy some good eats. But what about some great drinks to go with your favorite summer foods? Check out these three summer drink recipes to make your warm weather meals even better.
Summer Berry Wine Spritzer
It’s no secret that people love wine — in fact, in 2016 alone, 949 million gallons of wine were consumed in the United States! So if you’re looking for a way to combine your favorite wine with refreshing fruits, look no further than the first of our delicious summer drink recipes. This wine spritzer is easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and is sure to be a hit at your next summer party.
Ingredients:
These ingredients make one glass of this yummy cocktail.
- 2 parts of your favorite red wine
- 1 part of a carbonated soda of your choice
- Juice of half a lime
- Sprig of mint
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 4-5 blueberries
- 2-3 strawberries, cut in half
Simply fill a glass with ice cubes, pile in the fruit, add in the remaining ingredients, and enjoy!
Watermelon Lemonade
Watermelon is a staple of summer and one of the most refreshing fruits. So what better way to enjoy a hot summer day than with a glass of cool watermelon lemonade?
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cold water
- 6 cups cubed, seedless watermelon
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
In a blender, add the cubed watermelon and blend until smooth. After blended, pour the watermelon puree through a mesh strainer to remove any remaining chunks. Once strained, combine the pureed watermelon, water, lemon juice, and sugar. Chill before serving or add ice cubes and fresh mint if you’re serving immediately. To make this an adult beverage, consider adding some watermelon flavored vodka for an extra kick.
Cotton Candy Punch
If you’re hosting a kid’s party this summer, then this cotton candy punch is a must-have. Kids obviously love candy, and while seven out of 10 consumers planned to hand out candy last Halloween, summer is the perfect time for a candy-filled beverage. Kids (and adults) are sure to love this cotton candy punch, the last of our summer drink recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 quarts cotton candy ice cream
- 1 package cotton candy
- 2 liters lemon-lime soda
Fortunately, this punch is extremely easy to make. Start by lining a baking sheet with wax paper and scooping the ice cream onto the tray in serving-size scoops. Freeze for at least one hour or until solid. Fill a punch bowl with the lemon-lime soda and add in the frozen scooped ice cream. In each individual glass, add a pinch of cotton candy on top.
These summer drink recipes are the perfect addition to any summer event. Summer is flying by, so don’t wait too long to give these scrumptious drinks a try!