The sweltering Texas heat is beginning, y'all. And boy is it hot. Though Dallas is not humid like Houston, June hasn't even begun and I find myself blasting the AC wherever I go. To make matters worse, I am awkwardly sweaty (I call it a sexy "glow") so whenever I am outside there is sweat pouring down my face, non-stop. I had to find a solution for not only the excessive heat but something to cure my insatiable thirst for something refreshing.
I am making these 2 drinks for my Awesome Rawsome event this weekend and thought I'd give it a spin before serving them Saturday. Oh yes, about that -- FoodBuzz selected my proposal this month for 24,24,24! So stay tuned for an exciting menu of Raw Foods hence the title "Awesome Rawsome". I'll keep this short and sweet, the drinks are awesome -- I've finished half the batch of Strawberry Lemonade because it's probably the best drink EVER. Don't believe me? Give it a try! And seeing that Memorial Day is this weekend, why not whip up a big batch for guests? Maybe if you're feeling a little sassy, kick it up a notch with some gin or vodka (because who are we kidding, everyone gets a little saucy during Summer holidays). Have a great weekend folks!
Ingredients for Strawberry-Mint Iced Tea: (makes 6 servings)
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup honey water (1/4 honey 1/4 water) <--- you can also use agave
- 4 mint-flavored tea bags
In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Allow water to cool down to a warm temperature (around 110 degrees). Add 3/4 pint strawberries and mint. Allow to steep for 10 minutes then add honey water and tea bags.
Strain mixture through a fine seive and mash strawberries to extract more juice. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate until serving.
Pour over ice. Garnish with remaining sliced strawberries.
If you do not feel it's sweet enough, feel free to add more honey/agave. The reason I did not steep the tea leaves in boiling water is because with Raw Foods, they have a rule where they do not cook anything above 118F. However, if you could care less, feel free to simmer the strawberries and mint at a low heat for about 6 minutes, add the honey water and tea bags and simmer for an additional minute.
Ingredients for Watermelon Lemonade: (makes 4 servings)
- 1 1/2 lbs sliced watermelon, (preferably seedless), rind removed
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 1/2 cups cold water
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish
In the bowl of a food processor, place watermelon and process until very smooth. Strain through a coarse sieve set over a bowl, stirring to push through any pulp.
Pour juice into a large pitcher. Add lemon zest. In a bowl, whisk lemon juice and honey until honey dissolves; stir into watermelon juice.
Stir in water; cover and refrigersate until very cold. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
