I’ll be honest here ladies, I’m not much of a summer cook.  If you ask my family, our summer menu consists of a handful of things: corn on the cob, salted tomato and cucumber slices, fried zucchini or eggplant, watermelon and cantaloupe.  If my husband is lucky, he’ll get a piece of grilled chicken or a BLT thrown in there.  I love eating what is fresh and in season.  When it  comes to drinks, I’m typically a “water girl” but I love a cold drink for a treat in the summer.  Here are some of my favorites.

Iced Tea

• 12 tea bags (I use decaf black tea)
• 3/4 c. lemon juice
• 1-2 c. sugar, depending how sweet you like your tea
• water
• This recipe makes a gallon of iced tea.  I fill my 3 1/2 quart saucepan with water and bring to a boil.  Remove water from heat and add tea bags.  Allow to seep for at least 1 hour.  Add sugar and lemon and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add water or ice until it makes a gallon.

Berry Lemonade

• 1 c. lemon juice
• 1 c. berries (can use fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries)
• 1 c. sugar
• Add these 3 things into the blender and mix well.
• Add 7 cups water and ice.  Makes about 1/2 gallon

And my new favorite which came my way through Sarah Herr:

Homemade Frappuccino

• 2 c. milk
• 1 1/2 T. instant coffee granules
• 1 T. sugar
• 5-6 ice cubes (you can use coffee ice cubes from leftover coffee, but using regular ice cubes works fine and doesn’t water it down too much)
• Optional add-ins: 1 T vanilla or cocoa powder
• Put all ingredients into blender and blend for about a minute until all ingredients are combined and drink is frothy.

Enjoy and stay cool!