Refreshing Picnic-Friendly Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Here are a few refreshing non-alcoholic summer drink recipes that you can make ahead of time for a picnic:

  1. Sparkling Watermelon Limeade:
    • Ingredients:
      • 4 cups diced watermelon
      • Juice of 4 limes
      • 4 cups sparkling water
      • Ice cubes
      • Mint leaves (for garnish)
    • Instructions:
      1. In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth.
      2. Pour the watermelon puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove any solids.
      3. Stir in the lime juice.
      4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator.
      5. Just before serving, add sparkling water and ice cubes.
      6. Garnish with mint leaves.
  2. Peach Iced Tea:
    • Ingredients:
      • 4 cups water
      • 4 black tea bags
      • 4 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
      • ¼ cup honey
      • Ice cubes
      • Fresh peach slices (for garnish)
    • Instructions:
      1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
      2. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes.
      3. Remove the tea bags and stir in the honey until dissolved.
      4. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
      5. In a blender, puree the sliced peaches until smooth.
      6. Strain the peach puree through a fine-mesh sieve into the tea.
      7. Stir well and refrigerate until chilled.
      8. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh peach slices.
  3. Cucumber Mint Cooler:
    • Ingredients:
      • 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced
      • Juice of 2 lemons
      • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
      • 4 cups cold water
      • 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
      • Ice cubes
      • Sliced cucumber and mint leaves (for garnish)
    • Instructions:
      1. In a blender, puree the diced cucumbers, lemon juice, and mint leaves until smooth.
      2. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
      3. Stir in the cold water and sweeten with honey or agave syrup.
      4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
      5. Serve over ice and garnish with sliced cucumber and mint leaves.

Remember to keep the drinks chilled until your picnic, and consider packing them in a thermos or insulated container to maintain their temperature. Enjoy your picnic!

spiced apple cide margarita

Rachel Wong – The Bar Cart Mixologist