As temperatures rise, we are getting creative in our efforts to stay cool during the sweltering summer months. Whether it’s setting up an inflatable swimming pool in the backyard or experimenting with refreshing DIY summer drinks, everyone is searching for ways to beat the heat. Amidst these various tactics, everyone’s perennial favorite remains a staple: crafting homemade summer beverages. Indeed, concocting our own refreshing drinks has long been hailed as the ultimate solution to combat the scorching temperatures. Here are some refreshingly simple recipes that never go out of the list:
Blackberry Virgin Mojito
Summer is the perfect time to cool down with a refreshing drink, and what better way to do that than with a homemade Blackberry Virgin Mojito? This non-alcoholic twist on the classic mojito is just as delightful and easy to make. Plus, it’s a great way to make use of fresh blackberries!
Ingredients:
For Mint Syrup:
- 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For Mojito:
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- Ice
- 2 (12-oz.) cans seltzer
Fresh mint for garnish
How to make it:
Mint Syrup: In a small pot, crush mint leaves with a spoon. Add sugar and water, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let it boil for 3 minutes. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then strain out the mint leaves.
Blackberry Mixture: In a small bowl, combine blackberries and sugar, then crush the blackberries with a spoon until they break down.
Assembly: Divide the crushed blackberries between 4 glasses. Add 2 tablespoons of the mint syrup and 2 tablespoons of lime juice to each glass. Fill the glasses with ice and top them off with seltzer. Finally, garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Enjoy sipping on this flavorful and cooling Blackberry Virgin Mojito, perfect for those lazy summer days! If you have leftover mint syrup, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week and use it for making homemade lemonade or other refreshing drinks.
Starbucks-inspired S’mores Frappuccino
Love the taste of Starbucks’ S’mores Frappuccino? Now you can make your own version at home! This delicious drink is part coffee, part dessert, and completely satisfying. We’ve added graham crackers to really enhance the s’mores flavor, but you can skip them if you prefer a more classic frappuccino taste.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup marshmallow fluff
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Chocolate syrup
- 1/3 cup cold brew coffee (or strong brewed coffee, chilled)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- 1 graham cracker
How to make it:
In a medium bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of marshmallow fluff and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream until they’re smooth. Then, add the rest of the heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
Spread the remaining marshmallow fluff inside the bottom of your glass, then drizzle some chocolate syrup over it.
Next, in a blender, combine the coffee, milk, ice, vanilla ice cream, and 3/4 of the graham cracker (broken into pieces). Blend everything together until it’s smooth.
Now, pour the blended drink into the prepared glass. Top it off with the whipped marshmallow cream, a little more chocolate syrup, and the crushed graham cracker.
Finally, sit back, relax, and enjoy your homemade S’mores Frappuccino! If you try it out, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
Homemade Whipped Lemonade
Is there anything more synonymous with summer than sipping on a frosty glass of homemade lemonade? While we enjoy experimenting with fruity variations of this quintessential warm-weather beverage, nothing quite compares to the simple, timeless, and incredibly refreshing taste of this classic recipe.
How to make it:
Make Simple Syrup: Making a simple syrup ensures that your lemonade is perfectly sweet. Bring water to a boil, add an equal amount of sugar, and stir until it’s dissolved. Let it cool completely before adding it to your lemonade. Tip: You can make the syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Get the Ratio Right: For our classic lemonade, mix 8 cups of cold water with 1 cup of fresh lemon juice and 1 cup of simple syrup. But feel free to adjust to your taste! Want it sweeter? Add more syrup. Prefer it tart? Add more lemon juice.
Other ways: Feeling adventurous? Try adding fruit for extra flavor! Strawberry lemonade is a popular choice, but you can experiment with any fruit you like. Skip the alcohol for a refreshing watermelon lemonade or mix in blueberry syrup for a twist. Get creative and use your favorite pureed fruits such as mango or raspberry!
For a Boozy Twist: Turn your lemonade into a fun summer cocktail! Try our spiked sparkling basil lemonade, vodka pink lemonade slushies, or lemonade mimosas for a party-worthy drink.
How to store: Got leftovers? No problem! Store your lemonade in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. Just remember not to add ice until you’re ready to serve to avoid diluting the flavor. And ta-da! Enjoy sipping on your homemade lemonade and stay refreshed all summer long!
