It’s time for non-drinkers to take the party back! Test out this CL round-up of timeless Southern-style drink recipes that are both tasty and booze-free. Popular among all ages, these five easy-to-make beverages allow folks to escape the heat while downing a strawberry sweet tea, spice up the office party with a coffee mocha punch, and way more.
So whether you enjoy the refreshing formulas in the company of family, whip ‘em together for special occasions or prepare them ahead of time for that break during your daily grind, they’re sure to be the highlight.
Vanilla Lemonade
Makes 6; adapted from Allrecipes.com
Take a moment to reflect on the younger years while cooling down with a fun take on traditional lemonade.
Ingredients
4 lemons
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups cold water
Directions
Cut lemons in half and scoop pulp into a blender. Add half the lemon rinds, sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 cups water. Blend until smooth, then strain into serving pitcher and stir in remaining water.
Makes 4-6; adapted from Deep South Dish
Beloved sweet tea infused with a Floridian twist: strawberries.
Ingredients
5 tea bags
2 quarts water
1 cup sugar, or sugar substitute
3 cups whole strawberries
Juice of 1 lemon
Extra strawberries, for garnish
Directions
Steep tea bags in 1 quart boiling water for 5 minutes with 1/2 cup sugar. Puree strawberries in food processor until liquefied. Remove tea bags and add remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Add strawberry puree and lemon juice, and then stir well. Strain liquid through cheesecloth or fine sieve. Add remaining quart of water and chill. Serve over ice before garnishing with strawberry, if desired.
Makes 6; adapted from SouthernPlate.com
A household favorite for children and adults alike, this drink will quench any Southerner’s thirst.
Ingredients
4 cups apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 jar maraschino cherries
Mint, for garnish
Directions
Pour all juices into a 2-quart pitcher and stir well. Add 2 1/4 cups juice from cherry jar and stir again. Chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice, with a cherry in each glass, and garnish with mint, if desired.
Makes about 12 quarts; adapted from Still Magnolias
A decadent treat for any coffee lover, the punch is a creamy dream come true for the taste buds and soul.
Ingredients
1 quart chocolate milk
1 can condensed milk
1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
1/2 gallon coffee ice cream
2 quarts strong coffee, chilled
1 can whipped cream, thawed
Ground nutmeg (optional)
Chocolate, grated or shaved (optional)
Directions
Combine all milks and ice creams in a punch bowl. Stir until ice cream melts. Garnish with Cool Whip dollops and sprinkle nutmeg and/or chocolate on top, if desired.
Makes 8; adapted from Martha Stewart
This citrusy mint refresher will hit the spot after a hard day’s work (and play).
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 cups mint leaves
Juice of 7 lemons, plus 1 lemon reserved for zest
Juice of 3 oranges, plus 1 orange reserved for zest
Crushed ice
Seltzer water (optional)
Directions
Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan, and then bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves and turn off heat. Crush mint leaves in a large bowl with mallet or spoon and add to saucepan. Add lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest and orange zest to saucepan. Stir to combine. Pass mixture through fine strainer and discard solids. Serve with crushed ice and 3/4 full of strained mixture. Top with seltzer to cut sweetness, if desired.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2016.