Home Made Cold Drinks

On a hot summer day, you can work up a sweat just turning on the fan. And while you can't do much (make that anything) about the temperature, you can help your family keep it cool by having plenty of frosty beverages on hand. Water, of course, is always the top choice for quenching your kids' thirsts, but when it comes to satisfying their taste buds, you need to add a few ingredients, like juice or frozen yogurt, or another favorite flavor of summer. Here are some recipes that range from frozen-fruit slushiest to tropical smoothies to iced-tea punch--all of which are refreshing and tasty. So, pour your family a round and raise a toast to warm weather.

Add an extra, frosty burst of flavor to your coolers by making ice cubes out of juice, cider or herbal tea. Or drop in frozen lemon or orange slices (arrange them on a tray, freeze and then store in a freezer bag until you're ready to use them).  

 fruit juice

JOHNNY APPLESEED

The apple lovers in your household won't be able to resist this slushy cooler. For younger kids, you may want to substitute apple juice, which is a bit sweeter than cider.

8 apple cider ice cubes
1/4 cup apple cider or water

Drop the apple cider ice cubes into a blender or food processor. Pour in the apple cider or water. Blend until slushy, adding more liquid if necessary. Serves 1.

RAZZLE-DAZZLE

For a tarter version of this fruity blend, use pink grapefruit juice instead of orange juice.

1 frozen banana
3/4 cup raspberries
1 cup orange juice

Combine the fruit and juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Serves 1.

LIME COOLER

This refreshing limeade gets its subtle sweetness from honey instead of sugar.

3/4 cup fresh lime juice
2/3 cup honey
1 quart water
Lime wedges

In a large pitcher, stir together the lime juice, honey and water. Pour into tall, ice-filled glasses and garnish with lime wedges. Serves 5.

MANGO TANGO

For this tropical smoothie, select a mango that's ripe but firm enough to peel and slice.

1 cup mango slices
1 dash white grape juice
4 scoops vanilla frozen yogurt

Combine the mango slices, grape juice and frozen yogurt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Serves 1.

YELLOW HOWLER

Freeze your child's favorite sport drink in an ice cube tray, and you've got the makings for a slushy treat. This one is made with Gatorade.

8 lemon-lime Gatorade ice cubes
1/4 to 1/2 cup lemon-lime Gatorade or water

Drop the Gatorade cubes into a blender or food processor. Pour in the Gatorade or water. Blend until slushy, adding more liquid if necessary. Serves 1. 

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