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Written by Holly Bea
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Thursday, 24 May 2007 |
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 As temperatures rise and daylight lingers, those of us lucky enough to live on the Front Range get to spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.
We ride our bikes, head to the mountains, play in summer softball leagues and barbecue with wild abandon.
As outdoor activities heat up, so does the need to cool down. Sure, a nice, cold brew can do the trick, but this summer, why not chill with a few new concoctions? They’re easier to make than you think, and your friends and family will love ‘em.
We’ll start with the easiest one.
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Easy Island Cooler
Ingredients:
1 quart pineapple juice
1 quart orange juice
Vodka for taste
Splash of grenadine for color
Mix, and serve over ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice cut and placed on the lip of the glass. Can substitute spiced rum for vodka, as well.
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Watermelon Mojitos
Mojitos are a personal favorite of mine, and can be made with a variety of fruit flavors. Everyone loves the watermelon version!
20 fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (yes, fresh makes a difference)
crushed ice
3/4 cup light rum
6 ounces of seedless watermelon, pureed in a blender
Place the mint leaves, sugar and 1/4 cup of the lime juice in the bottom of a large shaker and “muddle” -sort of smush/crush it up with a pestle or the back of a spoon.
Fill the shaker with crushed ice. Add the rum, watermelon and the remaining lime juice. Shake well. Use a strainer and pour into tall glasses over ice. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of watermelon cut and placed on the lip of the glass.
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World’s Best Non-Frozen Margarita
I prefer frozen margaritas over traditional ones — that is, until I tasted these, prepared by pals Brad and Carrie Anderson (he runs the Kia Dealership in Greeley). Thankfully, they’re neighbors, so I can walk home.
2 parts margarita mix (no alcohol)
1 part tequila
1 part triple sec
1/2 of a fresh squeezed lime per glass (this is the most important ingredient!)
Mix ingredients, serve in margarita glasses over crushed ice. Note: you can also add a splash of apple juice to the recipe — it sounds weird but it’s GREAT.
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For A Festive Touch.
To salt the rim of a glass, wet the edge of the glass with water, shake off excess. Place the glass rim down into margarita salt. Then fill the glass. There are lots of prepared margarita salts out there, in many flavors and colors.
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Steffi’s Indian Tea
A little old lady from the deep South shared this recipe with a friend of mine, and it’s a keeper! Easy to make in advance, then serve over ice!
2 cups sugar
4 cups water
4 lemons (juice)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 cup boiling water
2 small tea bags
1 quart Ginger Ale
Heat first three items to a boil. Add vanilla and almond extract. Steep 2 tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water. Add to first mixture. Add 1 quart of ginger ale. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice. Enjoy! Makes 3 quarts.
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