Who's got the juice? - recipes for fruit juice drinks

Black Enterprise, July, 1992 by Eunice Fried

Healthy sports drinks to quench a "workout" thirst.

After spending a hot, summer day playing baseball, tennis or golf, quench your thirst with energy-replenishing fruit drinks blended from summer's bounty.

One way to do this is with a BANANA BATITA: Take half of a peeled banana, one-and-one-half ounces of banana nectar, a half ounce of milk and one scoop of crushed ice. Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Serve in a wine glass. For a MANGO, PINEAPPLE or PAPAYA BATITA, follow the same recipe, but substitute two slices of either fruit.

Bananas are also the basis of a ROSEANNA BANANA: Combine one ripe, peeled and sliced banana, one ounce of strawberry syrup and eight ounces of chilled milk in a blender. Whip until smooth (20 to 25 seconds); pour into a tall, chilled glass.

Even more substantial is a FROSTED FRUIT YOGURT: Combine one cup of sliced or diced fresh fruit--apricot, melon, peach, mango or strawberry--four ounces of plain yogurt or buttermilk, one teaspoon of honey, one-half teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, one-quarter teaspoon of grated lemon rind and four ounces of crushed ice. Put in a blender and whip at high speed until smooth. Pour into a tall, chilled glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Yogurt is the focus again with YOGI BITTER: Combine one ounce of plain or lemon-flavored yogurt and two ounces of bitter lemon soda in a tall, chilled glass. Stir until blended. Add three or four ice cubes and another four ounces of bitter lemon soda. Stir once and serve.

If your summer game is a team sport serve the entire team LEMONADE: Take the juice of six lemons, one quart of mineral water and one cup of sugar. Combine the ingredients in a pitcher and chill. Pour over ice cubes in tall glasses. Garnish with fresh fruit or mint. Serves four to six thirsty athletes.

For those teammates who do not drink alcohol serve a TEMPERANCE CUP: Take the juice of four oranges, five limes and one lemon; add three tablespoons of powdered sugar and one quart of grape juice. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl over a block of ice. Stir and decorate with slices of fresh orange, lemon, lime and strawberry fruit. It serves eight to 10 people.

When the game ends relax with a WINE SPRITZER, the traditional European summer sipper. Just place an ice cube or two in a large wine glass, add three to four ounces of white wine (any white wine) and fill with club soda.

If your teammates have come home with you, prepare a CHAMPAGNE CUP: Place a block of ice in a punch bowl and add half of a pineapple cut in chunks, six slivers of cucumber rind, one pint of fresh, culled strawberries, five ounces of curacao and one quart of club soda. Stir very lightly. Slowly add two bottles of icy cold Champagne or other sparkling wine. Stir very lightly. It serves 10 to 16 people.

These are just the drinks with which to savor today's victory and plan tomorrow's game.