cool summer beverages

My sons are getting pretty good a spotting recipes that I might be interested in trying. Here are a couple of refreshing summer drinks.


First off - the Sasquatch has been suggesting that I try making Cold-Brewed Coffee.

Instructions HERE

He's the only one of us that isn't a coffee drinker, but he thought he might like it this way since it results in a smoother brew.  Nope, he still doesn't like it, but I think it's a great way to have coffee ready to make iced coffee at any time.

All you do is soak the coffee grounds in room temperature water for about 12 hours. (1 1/2 cups coffee grounds to 8 cups water).  Strain the grounds...first with a strainer - then through a coffee filter.
It's done!

The instructions say that this makes concentrated coffee, so it's just right once it's poured over ice and cream is added (and sweetener if you wish).

A nice pick-me-up on a hot afternoon!

Next up is a recipe Chopper found...something we had never even heard of...Horchata - a Mexican beverage.

Recipe HERE

Chopper found this recipe online after a friend posted a photo of himself drinking this at a Mexican restaurant.  

The ingredients are simple so I told him I'd try making some.  Strangely enough, you get it started by soaking uncooked rice in water, then later straining it and adding sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and milk.

Serve very cold or over ice.  Sweet and creamy like a milkshake but not thick and heavy.

You can sort of see that the cinnamon sinks to the bottom of the glass.  Some who commented on the recipe said they use cinnamon sticks during the rice soaking step to get the flavor without making that last swallow a mouthful of ground cinnamon. Good idea.

It's always fun to try something different in the kitchen!