Living 2 Eat |

This version of lemonade will be beloved by all my family and friends from Immokalee, Florida.  Growing up, we were always told that Immokalee was the watermelon capital of the world.   Although I know other places claim the same title, we did grow some of the best melons!

Watermelon Lemonade

6        cups watermelon cubes (seeds removed)
1/4     cup raspberries
1        cup water
1/3     cup sugar
1/2     cup lemon juice

Place watermelon, raspberries and water in container of electric blender, cover and blend until smooth. Strain through fine mesh strainer into pitcher. Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board

Iced Spiced Tea
  

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
One quart hot water
8 tea bags
2 quarts cold water
2 cups orange juice
Three-quarter cup lemon juice
Mint sprigs for garnish
  

Boil sugar and 2 cups water for five minutes.

Add hot water and tea bags. Steep 5 minutes.

Discard tea bags. Add remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Serve over ice. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Yield: 1 gallon     

`

Holiday Honey Punch

3/4 cup honey

2 cups water, boiling

4 cups cranberry juice cocktail

2 cup orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

1 quart ginger ale

Dissolve honey in boiling water and chill.

Combine with cranberry, orange and lemon juices and chill.

Before serving, add ginger ale.

Yield:  20 servings

… from the kitchen of Linda Mathieu - Midland, Michigan

Wildflower Honey Mint Iced Tea

6 bags black tea (unflavored)

6 cups boiling water

1 3-inch cinnamon stick

1/3 cup good quality orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)

2 T fresh lemon juice

Texas Wildflower Honey to taste (or regular honey)

Fresh mint springs

 In large pitcher or tea pot, pour boiling water over teabags and cinnamon stick. Steep 6 minutes.

Remove teabags. Let tea cool to room temperature. Remove cinnamon stick.

Add orange juice, lemon juice, and honey to taste.

Serve over ice with mint sprigs. Twist a leaf into tea to release mint oil.

411 - Lady Bird Johnson was the earliest American First Lady to focus on improving the natural environment in Washington, DC and later across the United States. Through her efforts the Highway Beautification Act was passed by Congress in 1965 and the re-establishment and preservation of wildflowers became a country-wide priority. In 1997, the National Wildflower Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in her honor.

Picture credits:  Notontheinterstate.com

   … from the kitchen of Denise Sparkman Plunkett.   She is one of the greatest ‘foodies’ I have ever met.   We have chatted food ever since I met Denise and her family.   Also, we have chatted diets and miracle cures too!   

Denise is originally from Tennessee but now resides in Fort Myers.  Her Southern upbringing is evident from word one, and her attention to detail is what has made her a top wedding planner in Southwest Florida.  

Although I have not tried Denise’s Poolside Slush, I know that if she created it and serves it… it must be good to the last drop!

Denise’s Poolside Slush

1 large can frozen orange juice concentrate

1 large can frozen pink lemonade concentrate

1 small box orange jello

1 cup sugar

7 cups water

2 cups strong tea

2 cups pineapple juice (can be cranberry or any other flavor)

Let frozen juices thaw to liquid form.  

Add all other ingredients in large bowl with lid.

Freeze for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.

To serve, let thaw slightly.