Summer Drinks – Raspberry-Lime Rickey & Mediterranean Coolers

Summer’s a time when you can enjoy the most delicious fresh juices. In our quest to find the best combinations, that will bring out the fullest flavors, we found these two in At Home with the Culinary Institute of America:

Left to Right: Raspberry-Lime Rickey (page 247) and Mediterranean Coolers (page 245). Photo by: Ben Fink on page 244

Raspberry-Lime Rickey *

During berry season, you can make your own raspberry puree using fresh raspberries and adding sugar to taste. But this drink can be made year-round thanks to the unsweetened frozen raspberries available in the freezer section of most grocery stores and specialty markets.

Makes 6 servings

• 3/4 cup raspberries
• 1 teaspoon sugar optional
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• ice cubes, as needed (optional)
• 4 cups club soda or sparkling water
• 6 lime wedges, for garnish

1. Puree the raspberries in a blender until smooth. Strain to remove the seeds. Add the sugar to taste, if needed. Combine the raspberry puree and lime juice in a pitcher. Pour into 6 tall glasses, over ice if desired. Add the club soda and stir to mix well.
2. Serve, garnished with lime wedges.

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Mediterranean Coolers *

A variety of fruit juices and nectars are now commonly available in most grocery stores and gourmet markets in the juice and beverage aisle. If you decide to use them instead of making your own juices, check the label to see if there are added sugars.

Makes 6 servings 

• 4 cups tangerine juice
• 2 cups pomegranate juice
• 2 cups club soda
• ice cubes (optional)

1. Combine the tangerine and pomegranate juice in a pitcher. Chill.
2. When ready to serve, pour the juice into 6 tall glasses, add the club soda, and stir to combine. Serve over ice, if desired.

xox-xox-xox

* Juicing Citrus

A citrus fruit at room temperature gives more juice than chilled fruit. Before cutting and juicing it, roll the fruit firmly beneath your palms to crush its pulp. Use a fitted reamer or a mechanical juicer to extract as much juice as possible.

These drinks not only tasted great but they were very refreshing, just I expected for summer.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS