As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, we all crave refreshing drinks that can help us cool down. While most people think of heading to the grocery store when they want a drink, you can make some delicious beverages right in your backyard with garden staples, according to gardening expert Vikki Gerrard La Crosse. This blog post will discuss seven drinks you can make with garden produce all summer long.
Iced Tea
Iced tea is a refreshing summertime drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold. To make iced tea, brew your favorite tea and add. Try adding a slice of lemon or, for an extra unique treat lime. Using ingredients from your garden to make iced tea is a great way to take advantage of the summer heat!
If you have a herb garden, mint leaves make a delicious and cooling addition to iced tea. If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, elderflower blossoms are a lovely way to flavor your tea naturally. And if you want to get creative, you can even use fruits like strawberries or raspberries to infuse your tea with summery flavors. No matter what ingredients you choose, making iced tea is a simple and enjoyable way to enjoy the warm weather.
Lemonade
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy a tall glass of delicious lemonade. This refreshing drink is easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients. To start, mix equal parts of water and sugar in a pitcher. Then, add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.
For an extra special touch, says Vikki Gerrard La Crosse, try adding some mint leaves or berries from your garden for flavor. Lemonade is the perfect beverage to quench your thirst, whether entertaining guests or just enjoying a quiet moment on a hot summer day. So go ahead and give it a try – you might just be surprised at how delicious it is!
Fruit Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are a great way to use up any ripe fruit you may have in your garden. Blend your favorite fruits with some milk or yogurt, and voila! You have a delicious and healthy drink. Fruit smoothies are a great way to use up ripe fruit, but they are also packed with vitamins and minerals. Blending different fruits also allows you to get various nutrients in one drink.
If you’re looking for a little extra protein, add some yogurt or milk to your smoothie. So next time you have some ripe fruit on hand, don’t let it go to waste – blend up a delicious smoothie instead!
Sangria
Sangria is a fruity wine punch that originated in Spain. Mix red wine, fruit juice, and diced fruit to make sangria. Let the mixture sit for a few hours so the flavors can meld together, then serve over ice. Using fruit from your garden, you can come up with different sangrias with different wines.
For example, if you have peaches growing in your garden, you could try making a peach sangria using white wine and peach juice. Or, if you have strawberries, you could make a strawberry sangria using Rosé wine and strawberry juice. The possibilities are endless! So next time you’re looking for a refreshing summer drink, remember that you can always turn to sangria.
Mojitos
A mojito is a refreshing cocktail with rum, mint, lime juice, and sugar. To make a mojito, muddle mint leaves, and sugar together in a glass, then add rum and lime juice. Top with club soda or sparkling water, and enjoy. Fresh mint leaves from your garden are the perfect ingredient for this refreshing drink.
If you don’t have mint growing in your garden, you can also use basil or lavender. Simply muddle the leaves with sugar and lime juice, then add rum and sparkling water. Whether using mint, basil, or lavender, mojitos are a delicious way to enjoy the summer sun.
Cucumber Mint Water
Cucumber water is a refreshing and hydrating drink that’s perfect for summer. Simply slice up a cucumber and add it to a water pitcher to make cucumber water. Let the cucumbers infuse in the water for at least an hour, then add mint leaves and serve over ice.
This refreshing drink is not only straightforward to make but it’s also packed with vitamins and minerals, says Vikki Gerrard La Crosse. Cucumbers are a great source of Vitamin C, while mint leaves are full of antioxidants. So next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious summer drink, look no further than cucumber mint water!
Grapefruit and Rosemary Tonic
Grapefruit and rosemary tonic is a refreshing and slightly bitter drink perfect for summer. To make grapefruit and rosemary tonic, mix grapefruit juice, sparkling water, and a sprig of rosemary. Let the mixture sit for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together, then serve over ice.
This unique drink is perfect for looking for something different from the usual summertime fare. The grapefruit juice provides a tart flavor, while the rosemary gives the glass a slight herbal taste. So if you’re looking for something new to try this summer, give grapefruit and rosemary tonic a try!
Final Thoughts
Summer is a time for relaxation, fun in the sun, and enjoying cool drinks with friends. With just a few garden staples, you can make delicious drinks to keep you refreshed and hydrated all summer long. We’ve got you covered with recipes for every occasion, from classic iced tea to sangria and mojitos. So gather your ingredients and get ready to mix up some refreshing drinks!
