Fruity Thirst Quenchers

These cold, colorful drinks are perfectly refreshing.

Although summertime is not yet upon us, it'll soon come rushing in like shoppers stampeding a moonlight madness sale. Not to worry. We're poised and ready-knowing that an ice-cold beverage is a perfect way to rejuvenate. These recipes are great candidates for the job. Freeze some in ice-cube trays, and use the cubes to chill your drinks. They'll help keep the temperature and flavor just right from the first sip to the last. These drinks also make a great nonalcoholic option for your guests at our easy wine-and-cheese party (see page 136). KATE NICHOLSON

WHITE GRAPE-AND-ORANGE COOLER

MAKES ABOUT 6½ CUPS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 3 MIN., CHILL: 2 HRS.

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup white grape juice

½ cup orange juice

1 (1-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled

Garnish: orange slices

BRING sugar and 1 cup water to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and cool.

STIR in juices, and chill 2 hours. Stir in ginger ale just before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

ROSEMARY JOHNSON

IRONDALE, ALABAMA

PINEAPPLE-ORANGE HERB TEA

MAKES ABOUT 6 CUPS

PREP: 10 MIN., STEEP: 20 MIN., CHILL: 1 HR.

2 cups boiling water

12 regular-size herb tea bags

1 (11.5-ounce) can frozen pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted

2 cups lemon-lime soft drink, chilled

POUR 2 cups boiling water over tea bags; steep 20 minutes. Remove tea bags, and discard. Chill tea 1 hour.

STIR in juice concentrate and soft drink; serve over ice.

NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger Natural Herb Tea.

CRANBERRY-RASPBERRY HERB TEA: Substitute 1 (11.5-ounce) can frozen cranberry-raspberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed and undiluted, for pineapple-orange juice concentrate.

CRANBERRY-APPLE SPARKLER

MAKES ABOUT 8½ CUPS

PREP: 5 MlN.

Sparkling apple juice can be found on the juice aisle of your grocery store.

1 (12-ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted

½ (12-ounce) can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted

5 (10-ounce) bottles 100% sparkling apple juice, chilled

Garnish: Granny Smith apple slices

STIR together first 3 ingredients. Serve over ice; garnish, if desired.

FIZZY RASPBERRY LEMONADE

MAKES ABOUT 7 CUPS

PREP: 10 MIN.

1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed and undiluted

1 (10-ounce) package frozen raspberries, partially thawed

3 tablespoons sugar

1 (1-liter) bottle club soda, chilled

PROCESS first 3 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.

POUR raspberry mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding seeds; stir in club soda. Serve over ice. BARBARA SHERRER

BAY CITY, TEXAS

FIZZY STRAWBERRY LEMONADE: Substitute 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries, partially thawed, for frozen raspberries. Prepare recipe as directed. Prep: 10 min.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Mar 2005
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