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Juice, Lemonade, Tea, and Punch

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Though water and sports drinks are considered the first and second best options for fluid intake during the summer's heat waves, there are many other appetizing options if you need a little variety. Juices, lemonade, teas, and punches are wonderful selections for summer beverages. Teas are excellent choices especially because of the many health benefits that they offer. Green teas and black teas are even known to contain many antioxidants and cancer-preventing chemicals. Only drawback in these drinks - watch out for the sugar content. Some juices, Kool-Aid, and sweet tea push a lot of refined sugar into the body, adding empty calories you may not be looking for.

Here are some options for recipes for delicious summer drinks and other thirst quenchers:

• Frozen juice cubes in the ice cube trays are cooling, appetizing, and much like a popsicle. Herbal teas and cider also freeze well.
• Try this recipe for a dressed-up lemonade. Squeeze 5 lemons, 3 limes, and 5 oranges into a gallon container. Add sugar and water to the juices to taste, and mix. Keep in refrigerator, and serve iced with orange or lemon slices.
• Here's a scrumptious tea recipe. Boil 4 cups of water with 4 tea bags and 8 fresh sprigs of mint. Cover and steep for about 15 minutes. Then add ¾ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup orange juice, and 1¼ cups sugar (or according to taste). Take out the tea bags, chill, and serve with ice.
• Here's another tea recipe that has less sugar and no caffeine; it's also much like a punch. Steep 7 decaf tea bags in ½ gallon of water out in the sun for at least 3 hours. Take the tea bags out, and add the juice of 3 oranges and 7 lemons, 1/3 cup honey, and ½ bunch of mint.

Next Page: Smoothies and Family-Friendly Frozen Drinks

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