Heat Wave

I love cucumber water and recently stumbled upon this variation: rosemary cucumber water. It's as simple as any recipe can be and great during a massive heatwave like we have now.

For a pitcher's worth I slice roughly half a cucumber and about 5 or so sprigs of rosemary in a pitcher (I also like to use repurposed looza bottles)  You can drink it right away, but it's best if left to steep overnight.  It is. So. Good.  If you only want a single glass, about 4 or 5 slices of cucumber and a couple sprigs of rosemary is all you need. Enjoy!

What are your favorite summer drinks?

Warm Winter Drink: Spiced Orange juice

One of my favorite things to drink on a cold winter afternoon: spiced orange juice.  I heat up a mugs-worth of orange juice with whole spices: cloves, cinnamon sticks and allspice, then strain and serve with a cinnamon stick and honey to taste--Delicious!

Crushed Blueberry Lamonade

What you need:

1 lemon

a small handful of blueberries (fresh or frozen)

honey or sweetener to taste

ice

seltzer

Place the blueberries and chopped lemon in a glass, and top it with ice. Depending on how tart you like it, you can use some or all of the lemon.  I like to leave a wedge to squeeze in at the end.

Top with ice, and crush everything with a muddler.  I used the end of a rolling pin.  Look at the delicious blueberry juice!

And last, top with seltzer (or water or iced tea or even juice), stir in sweetener to taste (if it's too tart) and there you have a delicious drink!

Cucumber Lime

Sadly, the Heat Wave is still with us, with no signs of subsiding any time soon.  Even when the temperature drops, the air is still so humid that it is never "nice" out.  Fortunately, the heat gives reason to make more fancy drinks.  This time we're using cucumber and lime.

It's simple: slice the cucumber, drop it in a glass (or jar as it may be) fill the glass with ice, and squeeze in half a lime.  Fill with cold water and--ta da!  Cucumber somehow makes water taste extra refreshing and cold.  I don't know how it happens, but it is a very good thing.  Sometimes I'll let the cucumber water sit for a few minutes (or as long as you want) to let the cucumber infuse a bit more, but you can taste it right away--it just depends on your preferences.

Cherry Season

It's been hot here, and everyone's been somewhat lethargic.  So our cool down trick has been fruit smoothies.  My favorites are cherry and apple: We'll pit the cherries or slice up the apples and freeze them.  After everything is frozen solid, into the blender they go with plain yogurt and some soymilk (or regular milk or --my favorite-- almond milk).  It is so delicious and one of my favorite quick breakfasts or anytime snack.

Sometimes we'll toss in a scoop of protein powder, but the secret to a delicious smoothie is:  cinnamon.  It makes everything more delicious without additional sweetener.  I also like to add a small spoonful vanilla, especially with the cherries.  mmmmm. . . cherry vanilla.

See? even Melvin says it's too hot.