Bring It On!

Looking out the window past my computer, I see a lush rainforest. The birds are calling to each other as water drips from the leaves of the lush trees and bushes. The bright green of the forest line is now replaced with a darker, more foreboding green.

This past week has been hot, humid, and rainy. Hot coffee and tea is now replaced with iced, cold drinks. I’ve loaded my refrigerator with pitchers of iced tea, cold leftover coffee, and a variety of juices. I also bought vanilla yogurt to make smoothies.

No three-dollar specialty cold drinks at the local Starbuck’s® (if we had a Starbuck’s) or expensive sugary bottled drinks; I’m making my own. It’s really quite simple and inexpensive. For the smoothies you’ll need a blender, but for everything else, all you need is a tall glass and a spoon.

Apple Raspberry Tea
It’s not Snapple®, but pretty darn close.
1 quart apple juice
1 cup water
8 raspberry herbal tea bags
2 orange pekoe tea bags
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute

Heat water to boiling. Add tea bags and let steep 15 minutes. Remove tea bags. Pour tea in large pitcher or container. Add sugar or sugar substitute, and lemon juice, and stir to dissolve. When tea has cooled a bit, add apple juice. Stir and store in refrigerator until cold. Serve with lots of ice. Makes enough for 6 thirsty people.

Plain Ole Lemon Iced Tea
The taste isn’t plain, though, but utterly refreshing.
2 quarts water (8 cups)
3 orange pekoe or any regular tea bags
3/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute or to taste
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Heat water to boiling in a large saucepan; turn off heat and add tea bags. Cover pot and let tea steep for about an hour. Pour sugar into a 2-quart pitcher or container. Remove tea bags from pot and pour tea over the sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon juice, stir and chill. Makes 2 quarts, enough for you and your friends.

Papaya Creamsicle Smoothie
If you can’t find fresh papayas, use canned papaya chunks. Any other summer or exotic fruit works just as well. Try mango, banana, strawberries or a combination that suits your taste and creativity.
2 ripe papayas
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Serves 2.

Frozen Frappuccino
Okay, I lied; for this recipe, you need a coffee maker. Any kind will do.
3/4 cup double-strength coffee, cold
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup whole or low-fat milk
2 cups ice

Make double-strength coffee by brewing with twice the coffee required by your coffee maker. That should be 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per each cup of coffee. Chill before using.

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Pour into 2 large glasses and serve with a straw. Makes 2 “Grande” drinks.

To make a caramel version, add 3 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping to the original recipe and prepare as above. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of additional caramel over the whipped cream. You just save a couple of dollars.

For a mocha version, add 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup to the original recipe and prepare as above. Top each glass with whipped cream and drizzle of additional chocolate syrup over the whipped cream.