We love finding ways to freshen up our home… but we also think a cool, fresh summer beverage deserves its own spot in the sun (more on that below)!  Treat yourself to one of these summer recipes, straight from our kitchen to yours.

Mama’s Mint Lemonade
4 lemons, sliced
4 sprigs of mint, with a few more to garnish
6-8 cups water
1 cup sugar (optional) – we like ours unsweetened
Serves 8

Slightly bruise the mint leaves using a pestle or wooden spoon. Add the bruised leaves to your pitcher of water and refrigerate for an hour.  Remove the leaves and add lemon slices to the mint-infused water. If you prefer a sweetened version, dissolve 1 cup of sugar into a cup of warm water to create a sugar syrup, then stir in before adding lemon slices. Serve over ice, garnished with a sprig of mint, of course!

Simple Sun Tea

So easy… just requires a few bags of your favorite tea, a big glass jug or extra large canning jar, water and the sun!  You can get fancy and add herbs or fruit too… but the basic recipe can’t be beat.
Fill a large covered glass container with water and place tea bags with the tags exposed for easy removal. Fasten the lid and set the container outside on a sunny day until the water is a pleasing caramel color. Remove the tea bags, serve over ice, garnish with a sprig basil or rosemary and enjoy!

Watermelon Limeade
One half of a seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
Juice of 4 limes
Lime wedges for garnish
Optional sugar syrup to taste (1 part sugar dissolved in 1 part water)
Serves 4-6

Combine watermelon, sugar syrup and the juice of 4 limes. Puree in a blender until smooth.  Serve in chilled glasses, garnish with lime wedges.

Happy summer sipping!