Delicious drinks, for the North Country summer!

Well, summer’s in full swing, and while we all know we should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during this warm part of the year, many of us are looking to drink plenty of…drinks. We asked you last week to send your favorite summer drink recipes (and photos!) to us, and as promised, here’s what we got!

Sarah O’Connell sent us a drink that doesn’t exactly say summer to me, but it does to her: the Chocolatini from the Boathouse Restaurant in Sacket’s Harbor. We don’t know their recipe, but here’s one you can make at home, if you’ve got a pretty sweet (get it?) liquor cabinet. Marcia Clifton Robbins recommends the classic Arnold Palmer (one half lemonade and one half iced tea), which I agree is exceedingly refreshing. Anthony Wentzel’s gone for a classic: “cold beer.”

Facebook pal Andrea Fernandes is recommending a drink whose name is perhaps a little risque for this post, but it sounds delightful. Here you go: “1/2 oz. (15ml) Amaretto 1/2 oz. (15ml) Kahlua Coffee Liqueur 1/2 oz. (15ml) Baileys Irish Cream 1/2 oz. (15ml) Creme de Cacao Chocolate Syrup Whipped Cream Chocolate Sprinkles. 1. Garnish the interior of a shot glass with chocolate syrup. 2. Shake amaretto, kahlua, baileys and creme de cacao over ice. Pour inside the chocolate garnished shot glass. 3. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy! Haven’t made one yet But it sure has been on my mind!”

Personally, one of my favorite summer drinks is shandy, an about-equal mix of beer and lemonade (featured on NPR last summer!), and then obviously you have your daiquiris, pina coladas, mojitos, and sangria…

And for in the liquor-optional category, Daisy sent this list of refreshing spritzer drinks via email. They look good!

Ginger: about 1 qt. sliced ginger root, 1/4 c honey…bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer approx. 45 minutes. Strain. Use about 3T syrup in a pint glass, add spritzer.

You can reuse the ginger slices several times, then candy them by dredging in sugar and drying. You can freeze the ginger slices between uses. Ginger syrup will keep in the fridge for a week or two, certainly as long as it takes ME to drink it up.

Rhubarb… this is really special! About 1 qt. roughly chopped rhubarb, 1/4 c. honey.. simmer about 15 min., strain. Use about 1/4 c. syrup in a pint glass, add spritzer.

The strained pulp can be used as an ice cream topping. Add some raisins if you like, and give them time to plump before using. Rhubarb syrup will keep in the fridge for a few days until you’ve used it all up.

Watermelon! About 1 qt. chopped seeded watermelon, 1/4 c. honey, blend until smooth. Strain. Use about 3T syrup in a pint glass, add spritzer.

There will be about 4T pulp. This can be frozen, then used in a slushie type beverage by blending it with about 1c. water and 1c. white grape or apple juice. Give it a whirl in the blender, enjoy. Watermelon base will separate, so it should be used right away.

Same goes for any juice you canned last fall. All of these can be sweetened to taste by adding honey (sugar syrup, agave, etc.) or white grape or apple juice. Add spritzer!

Finally, as ever, our invaluable book “Stories, Food, Life” offers some great stuff. Recipes for switzel (or switchel!) are among the most interesting! (Wondering what on earth I’m talking about? Here’s a more modern take from a couple years ago. And did you know

Reverend Daisy Allen’s Switzel

1 gal. water
1 cup sugar
¾ cup vinegar
4 tsp. of ginger (depends on your taste)

Mix together in a gallon jug and keep cold.

Switchel
Mary-Ann Cateforis, Potsdam

Old-timers used this drink as a thirst quencher during the hot summer months. Farmers would carry a gallon jug of switchel when they went out to work in the fields. This recipe is from my old farmer friend Stanley Northrop, of Potsdam.

4 tbsp. brown sugar
Ginger, the size of a lima bean
4 tbsp. (cider) vinegar
Water to make a qt.

Wow, that’s serious drinking! How many of you involve a lot of vinegar in your quaff today?

Anyway, moving on (if you haven’t fallen down after that non-alcoholic doozy!), this week is time for fruit pies! We’ve had some great ones in the office recently (including a raspberry pie that couldn’t be beat!) What’s your favorite, with recipe please? Seasonal fruits especially encouraged! Send them over to me at [email protected]. Happy drinking!

Tags: drinks, recipes, summer