Blackberry Lemonade

When it is super hot, all you would need is a drink that could cool you down. And if it looks pretty too then you could enjoy its beauty while you sip it, when everything else that surrounds you looks dry and withering away with the heat. These days, I have been drinking a lot when compared to eating. When I say, drinking, I mean lemonades and coolers :P etc. This Blackberry lemonade is one such drink that you would want on such days. You cannot say no to this pretty drink and when you do drink it, you'd be glad that you tried it.

Lil J doesn't eat blackberry as such, but for this lemonade I did have to restrict him from having more. try and let me know if you did like it.

Watermelon Juice

I dislike Summer. Its hot. Its dusty. It drains away energy from me. Mangoes and watermelons are what makes me love it a bit. When you get back from a days outing, all tired, a glass of mango shake/ mango lassi or plain lassi or watermelon juice could just refresh me up and help me gain back the energy.

I used to love the way they arrange the watermelons and mangoes underneath a stall roofed with palm leaves, during summer. And its so strategically placed at the entrance of the store, that you just can't miss picking them up even though you might have forgotten to write it down on your grocery list. So we ended up buying it on every grocery shopping.

Lemon, Ginger and Mint cooler

Summer at grandparents place, as kids has so many fond memories attached. It would include playing in the sun with cousins, climbing trees(yes, you heard it right.. I was good at that :)), feeding the cattle and what not and then rushing home every now and then to drink something cold or snack on something yummy. How I wish I could get back those days. Yes, those times included long academic years with books, exams and science projects and what not. But the thought of those 2 month long vacation was always looked forward to. 

We have a huge bunch of cousins. So every single get together would look like a ceremony with house full of people. It is super fun and blessing to have born in a family like that. Well, I think I drifted a little beyond the topic..he he. Lemon juice was one of the favorite drinks after a tiring day. And the elder ones used to get the job of squeezing out the juice from the lemon and making the juice. It was so frustrating to get the sugar dissolve by stirring. As a parent I now understand, why the request for making powdered sugar or sugar syrup was refused by the elders. It helped us learn patience :). Well, all said, this recipe of cooler includes concentrate that has sugar syrup added into it to make my life easier now every time I make the cooler.

Raw Mango Juice/ Cooler

This time when we were home, my MIL made this drink quite often. The raw mangoes were in season and whenever she would ask if anyone wanted the drink, which never had the answer as NO, she would go out pluck a mango from the tree and make it for us. It was delicious and so filling. She infact asked me to post this recipe on my blog for my readers to enjoy.

MIL had seen this recipe in the TV in some reality show. She tried it at home and was a big hit. My lil one also would put down the glass only when the last drop was also dripped into his mouth and only to ask for more juice.

Mango Lassi

The time when you come in home from the scorching heat in this summer, all you would need is to gulp down something cold, refreshing and filling. This is one absolute delight for such occasions.

Summers can't pass by without us indulging in these mangoes. So how about enjoying some mangoes in the form of mango lassi. Lassi and Mangoes are always our favorite. So this is just like 2 in 1 drink for us. 

Mango Iced tea

Have you ever had mango iced tea? Unlike the usual iced tea it has the flavours of mango in it. Now if you are a die hard fan of mangoes you would know what I mean and would be almost at the verge of trying it as soon as you can. But let me warn you, they are addictive. So control yourself. 

You could very well make it with preserved mango pulp. But there is something different and fresh feeling when you make it right from the scratch with those irresistible juicy mangoes that are available during this summer season. So why wait for it to get canned or preserved to try it. Go for making it this summer season. 

Grape Juice Concentrate/ Grape Squash

It's getting hotter day by day. I can't imagine what the world would be like in a couple of years down the line with all the weather change that is happening. Our part of the world is already short of water.  Its only March and we have couple of hotter months to go for the summer to end. 

Juice, smoothies, ice creams are all what we want right now to help us calm down. Grape juice seemed like a good idea to me to help us keep the cool this summer. My mom makes it very often. If we have a function at home, its a must. Its so easy to mix and prepare the drink that a tiny kid could also do it by themselves. And should I say about how amazing they taste. Its awesome. This drink is one super cooler when I get back home after the day out. And see what I got to read while I enjoy my drink - The Jungle Book. It was a surprise by the Paper boat team. All thanks to them, I got back memories of those days when we used to rush back from the church on Sundays to watch Mowgli while we would munch on some snack. I miss those days and Paper Boat is doing a great job in recreating memories.