Guide To Cool Summer Drinks
by gourmetsleuth.com

Frozen Drinks
A large selection of Frozen Drinks from Watermelon Margaritas to Pink Slippers

Good Books

The most complete book of its kind, The Ultimate Liquor-Free Drink Guide offers a refreshing oasis for the millions of readers who prefer zero proof but are tired of being relegated to seltzer and lime. In her thorough, accessible style, Sharon Tyler Herbst presents a delicious array of beverage alternatives, covering 325 non-alcoholic drinks with authority and verve.
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Lime/Lemon Squeezers

It's the easiest way to juice limes or lemons!   It extracts only the juice and none of the pith like standard reamers do. This juicer makes quick work out juicing your limes for your summer drinks and is quite a bargain besides. At GourmetSleuth.com View Catalog


Aguas Frescas
These cool drinks are made with water, fruit and a sweetener (typically sugar) and are commonly served in Mexico by street vendors.  We also find them in many Mexican takeout restaurants. 

To make just take any ripe fruit (common flavors include pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, strawberry and papaya) blend till smooth, add water to thin to a light consistency and sweeten to taste with sugar. Depending on the fruit you may need to strain the mixture to remove any seeds or small bits, the drinks should be the consistency of water (thus the name).

Garnishes

Lime Zest Knots
Choose a lime with an unblemished skin.  Use a lemon zesting tool (or a small sharp paring knife) and pare off a 2 to 3 inch strip of peel.  Be careful to avoid cutting into the white bitter pith. Tie the strip into a simple knot.  Place the knot on top of the pots de creme just prior to serving.  Knots can be made ahead of time and stored refrigerated in a tightly sealed plastic bag.

See Stars
Make thin slices of fruit peelings from lemons, limes, mango and cut with a star-shaped cookie cutter.  Float the pieces on top of drinks or punch. Make ahead and store refrigerated in a zip-lock plastic bag.




lemon zester tool


Ice Cube Trays
According to Mary Bellis the very first ice cube tray was invented in 1844 by John Gorrie. The stainless steel version with an insert that twisted side to side to eject the cubes was invented in 1933 by Guy L. Tinkham.

Licuado (Liquados)
A popular Mexican alternative to soft drinks the licuado combines fresh fruit and milk and honey or sugar then blended to a froth.  This is the Mexican equivalent to the "smoothie".  Here is a basic recipe:

Licuado de Leche
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or to taste
3/4 cup fresh fruit such as banana, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, strawberries, watermelon or guava.

Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. Strain through a sieve to remove seeds or fibrous bits.

Licuados are also made with water, Licuado con agua with a slightly higher concentration of liquid to fruit and normally sweeter.


Clay chirmolera (grinder) used in Oaxaca for making agua preparado de limon, as well as other grinding tasks.

Agua Preparado de Limon Rallado
A complex sounding name for a very simple classic Oaxacan drink.  Just take 8 underripe dark green limes, zest them (perfect job for a Microplane Zester...).  Add the zest to a quart of water and steep for at least one hour.  Strain the mixture though cheesecloth or a fine sieve making sure to press on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Add sugar to taste (about 3/4 to one cup) chill and serve in tall glasses over ice. 

You can use the limeade to make magaritas or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays and pop into drinks.

This drink mixes well with vodka for a refreshing cocktail.

Buying Limes
Key limes are "true" limes and are commonly grown and used in Mexico.  Key limes are more flavorful and juicy than the common grocery store (Persian) lime.  For bargain prices, try your local Mexican market where these limes are normally sold for around 10 or 20 for a $1.00.