Summer Time Beverages

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With hot weather on its way it's always nice to have a cold beverage in the fridge. I know water is always the best choice, but sometimes it's nice to have a little change. Here are a few of my favorites (and I really try and keep them on the healthier side :)..

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Watermelon Lemonade

You will need some watermelon, lemon juice (from the bottle), honey and water.

Cut up 4 generous cups of watermelon chunks..



Put in the blender and puree until very smooth…



Now make 2 quarts of lemonade. Measure into a one gallon container a ½ cup of honey….



Put a small amount of boiling water into the container to dissolve the hone. Stir and add 1 cup of lemon juice..



Now add water to the 2 quart mark ...



Now add the pureed watermelon and mix well. 
I divided the mixture between 2 2-quart jars (because this fits better into my fridge)…





Pour over a glass full of ice and enjoy a nice refreshing glass of watermelon lemonade!!



Note: the lemonade can separate as it sits in the fridge..  just shake it up a bit before serving.  

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Fruit Flavored Water

Basically it is simply adding fresh fruit to water and the fruit gives your water just a slight hint of that fruit flavor. You can add any kind of fruit you want. The first time I made it I made 3 batches. I used 2 quart canning jars (juice pitchers work too, but canning jars are more abundant in my house :). I made lime water, cantaloupe water and strawberry water….

  

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Apple Peach Iced Tea

This is a nice frugal way to stretch a 12 oz can of apple juice. With a little help from some tea bags I end up with a gallon of yummy apple peach tea. Here is how I do it..

You start with one 12oz can of frozen apple juice concentrate and 3 of your favorite bags of tea. I am use peach tea, but you can use any type you would like.


I put a pan of water on the stove and add my tea bags. I bring the water to a boil and remove it from the stove. I let this sit for about 30 to 40 minutes to get nice and strong.
 

Then I add some sweetener. I am use honey. I add about ¼ to 1/3 cup of honey. You can add sugar if you would like and I would suggest about ½ cup if you do. However if you don’t need your tea super sweet you can skip the sweetener altogether. The apple juice will sweeten it up some too.

Then I pour this mixture into a 1 gallon juice container

Then I add enough water to bring it to the 2 quart mark on the container  
Then I add the can of apple juice


Finally, fill the container with water up the gallon mark on the container. That is it! Put it in the fridge to get cold and enjoy!

 

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