RECIPE: 2 Easy Breezy Summer Thirst Quenchers

If we're all going to hell, let us at least arrive there with a refreshing beverage.

It’s been a rough summer. Setting foot out of the house is like trying to breathe inside a kiln. And sure, you can drink water—must, in fact—but it’s been so hot lately, sometimes drinking plain water leaves you thirstier and less refreshed than you were before. It’s important to stay refreshed, especially when doom-scrolling Twitter or reading articles in The Economist informing you, a person who’s hot, of just how hot it is for you and the entire planet.

But let it not be said that Cappuccino turned a deaf ear to your need for frosty nectar! We’ve got you. That’s why you will find not one, but two, toil-free recipes for concocting potables that are designed to cool your overheated engines: a Summer Peach Thirst Quencher and a truly delicious Lavender Lemonade.

Summer Peach Thirsty Quencher

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced into chunks

• 3 oz. pineapple juice

• 1/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate

• 1 cup club soda or sparkling water

• Mint leaves (Optional) as a garnish

• Plenty of ice

Directions:

1. Put the peaches, pineapple juice, and lemonade concentrate in a blender and blend until thoroughly mixed.

2. Pour the concoction into four 14-oz glasses and top with ice. Alternately, you can pour the iced mixture into a cocktail shaker and shake to get it extra cold.

3. Top glasses with club soda/sparkling water (about 1/4 cup per glass).

4. Garnish with mint leaves.

5. Serve and enjoy!

Lavender Lemonade (a personal fave!)

Ingredients:

• 1 small handful freshly picked and rinsed lavender flowers, or 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 cups boiling water

• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 2 cups cold water (I prefer sparkling), plus more as needed

• Plenty of ice

• Thinly sliced lemons and a few lavender sprigs (Optional)

Directions:

1. Pinch the lavender flowers from their stems and place in a medium bowl. Remember that less is better! Lavender is strong. A little goes a long way.

2. Pour the sugar over the flowers and mix together. Using your fingers, gently “express” some of the lavender for better penetration of flavor.

3. Pour two cups of boiling water over your mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until the sugar has melted. Cover and let it infuse for at least thirty minutes (up to several hours).

4. Using a tea strainer, strain the lavender syrup into a serving carafe or a pitcher and discard the used lavender.

5. Stir in the lemon juice. Add another two cups of cold and/or cold sparkling water. Add more lemon juice if it’s too sweet; more sugar if it’s too tart. Add ice, being mindful of the fact that melting ice will further dilute the drink.

6. As an attractive option, you can add a few thin lemon slices and/or lavender sprigs to the serving pitcher.

7. Serve and enjoy!

Do you have a favorite thirst-quenching, frosty beverage? I wanna hear about it. Leave your comments below.