Summer Drinks Kids Can Make

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

18 Jul 2008 06:57 PM

We had a hot day today, and the kids asked to make Line Cooler. And yes that is line with an 'n', not 'lime'. Our recipe is adapted from the Line Cook Cooler in The Grit Cookbook. The Grit is a restaurant in Athens, Georgia and don't you know that they know a thing or two about heat and humidity.

I've sent this recipe to several people and no one ever tries it. I know the ingredients don't sound like they could possibly add up to much, but I promise that it's worth the try. The taste is so cooling and refreshing. I swear it's like a natural Gatorade, it makes us feel hydrated and replenished. As a plus, even small children can do everything but cutting the lemons.

The ingredients are so simple. Put a couple cups of crushed or cubed ice into a pitcher. Add four cups of apple juice. Add a cup of cold water. Cut up 2 lemons. We half them, half them again, and again, so that we get eight large lemon wedges. Squeeze the lemons right into the pitcher of juice and water. Once you've got the juice mainly out of the lemons, just drop them right into the pitcher. Give it all a stir, and pour into glasses of ice. I don't even like apple juice, and I love this drink. When we serve it to people they always are surprised it has apple juice. If you give it a try, let me know!

I've written before about making homemade lemonade with the kids. Another great drink is to mix half a glass of iced tea with half a glass of lemonade. In some parts of Georgia, they call this an "Arnold Palmer". My aunts used to make this for family gatherings. It's got a good flavor too.

And if you're still looking for more fun summer beverages, give Italian sodas a try. I'm off to finish my Line Cooler.

Also See:

Summer Slushie Fun

Homemade Lemonade - Kid Recipes

Italian Sodas - Easy Recipes for Kids to Make

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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