We're having one of the hottest summers on record here in New York City, with heat waves bringing the mercury into triple-digits (and finally breaking down my aversion to air conditioning). Making summertime drinks is as much of a ritual to me as grilling burgers or cracking open a watermelon; why not cool down and give one a try?
Mojito![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4wmm8oxew8pTItvYqTfbN7s3EgmMmY-D9_WNtsG2JxtoGKN4oIDih3-vjuX3VvGeXCFU_VoDH8c8wgwRo2aXgyDH82Z0Z4u76K4kOb0jgjQs96btFVk6TNBvaiEGfgJzwQCqfi09IVpW/s320/mojito.jpg)
Last summer I tried my hand at making mojitos, and they quickly became a favorite in my mixology repertoire.
This recipe from TasteOfCuba.com is my favorite:
1 tsp. powdered sugar
Juice from 1 lime
4 mint leaves
1 spring of mint
2 oz. white rum
2 oz. club soda
Pour the lime juice over the mint leaves, then add the powdered sugar. Gently smash the mint leaves, then add the ice, rum and club soda. Garnish with the mint sprig. If you have an aversion to alcohol, this recipe works great without the rum!
Arnold Palmer![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLhDquuWmj97j1rFP_m_B5u_1WDH7fQ1FNyu-Td-5W8vNC10refbiDPcv2EE-EbmssWlg3zHoHsQh0BOB71lSiq7S3TTEC74C3pjVgM1JEjssZkItOorZl9HvTD5FB_GpV8aoAyZuBBlO/s320/IceTea.jpg)
One of my current favorites, an Arnold Palmer is a mix of iced tea and lemonade. Whole Foods makes an especially tasty (and tart) Arnold Palmer, but it's easy to make a batch yourself!
Make the lemonade by heating 3/4 cups sugar into 1 cup of water in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. In a pitcher, combine the simple syrup with a cup of lemon juice and 3 cups of cold water and chill in the refrigerator.
Then take 4 tea bags, and steep in 2 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Add enough cold water to make 2 quarts, then refrigerate. Combine 1 part iced tea with 1 part lemonade and serve!
Morir SoƱando![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb1ouTYxGPc7KNcpqMDSuBNOBrfyDxFZ3jWc8A68TeEtc31VgTIN2nYU6-V6Y1K1nTLbF3ZztDg2kjKcmsN1GrffVxlgrosZSy4fYe1lmuUqIqdWxHB7f7fVv-VXDHZbouONTemFptahL/s320/morir+sonando.jpg)
I've been mixing orange juice, milk and sugar since I was a kid (though my brother was skeptical I could make it through a glass without getting sick!). Recently I discovered that this creamy concoction had a name, and is a popular Dominican drink.
This recipe from DominicanCooking.com is simple and delicious -- Dissolve 1/2 cup sugar in 2 cups of evaporated milk, then slowly pour in 2 cups of orange juice. Serve over ice. Make sure the milk and orange juice are very cold before you start. If you have a blender, this recipe would make a great smoothie!
What are your favorite summertime drinks? Sound off in the comments!