Refreshing Teas and Non-Alcoholic Sippers
Lemonade Iced Tea
Recipe: Lemonade Iced Tea
Lemonade and fresh mint leaves provide a flavorful fruit twist to this classic summer drink. One reader suggested adding a tablespoon of orange-flavored vodka to a glass of the drink to add a grown-up kick.
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Cucumber-Mint Water
Recipe: Cucumber-Mint Water
Try this recipe from Josh Williams and Eric Prum, the authors of Infuse. "As much as we love the hot days of summer, it's sometimes hard to escape that sticky feeling. Enter this cooling infusion. Lime, cucumber, and mint work together to create a refreshing sip that we keep in the fridge all summer long."
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Berry Splash
Recipe: Berry Splash
Mix up a colorful drink for the whole family with cherry drink mix and white cranberry juice. Serve Berry Splash with blueberry-filled Berry Ice Cubes.
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Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade
Recipe: Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade
This is exceptional when made with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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Governor's Mansion Summer Peach Tea Punch
Recipe: Governor's Mansion Summer Peach Tea Punch
Great for a summer party, this peach sweet tea punch is a refreshing crowd pleaser.
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Ginger-Orange Mocktails
Recipe: Ginger-Orange Mocktails
Serve Ginger-Orange "mocktails" for moms-to-be at a baby shower. Garnish with orange slices and fresh mint springs.
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Blackberry Sweet Tea
Recipe: Blackberry Sweet Tea
Shake your thirst with an inviting glass of Blackberry Sweet Tea. For the garnish, cut desired amount of wooden skewers into 5-inch lengths; then place fresh blackberries on skewers.
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Southern Breeze
Recipe: Southern Breeze
This kid-friendly punch makes a special treat out of lemonade mix by mixing it with the tropical flavor of pineapple juice and the bubbly carbonation in ginger ale. Serve with paper cocktail umbrellas for a fun entertaining touch.
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Pineapple-Basil Tea
Recipe: Pineapple-Basil Tea
Infuse a basic black tea with a burst of tropical flavor and a little sweet basil.
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Lime Fizz
Recipe: Lime Fizz
This lime soda is a refreshing drink for a picnic. For an adult version, stir in 2/3 cup vodka. The leftover simple syrup can always be stirred into unsweetened iced tea.
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Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea
Recipe: Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea
Instead of sweetening your iced tea with sugar, use honey instead. Add some grated fresh ginger for a delightful twist.
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Cantaloupe Cooler
Recipe: Cantaloupe Cooler
Juicy summer melon is even more refreshing when blended with ginger ale, limeade, and a hint of fresh ginger. Substitute watermelon or honeydew if you like.
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Citrus Sweet Tea
Recipe: Citrus Sweet Tea
Pineapple, orange, lemon juice, and cloves help upgrade this Southern classic. Garnish with lemon slices for a memorable drink.
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Homemade Orange Soda
Recipe: Homemade Orange Soda
This simple mixture of orange juice and lemon-lime soft drink offers the refreshing bubbles from the carbonated soda with the tang of citrus juice.
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Classic Sweet Tea
Recipe: Classic Sweet Tea
We love this recipe because it's got strong tea flavor without being bitter, and it's sweet but not cloying.
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Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea
Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea
Blueberries and lemon add a refreshing flair to iced tea for your next summer get-together.
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Sparkling Cherry Limeade
Recipe: Sparkling Cherry Limeade
A fun mocktail you can garnish with margarita salt, limes and cherries. Add a little tequila and a splash of orange liqueur for an extra kick.
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Southern Sweet Tea
Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea
Only Southerners understand just how sweet tea should be. Add the full cup of sugar to this recipe if you like yours extra sweet.
Watch Video: Simply Southern Sweet Tea
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Cool Lavender Lemonade
Recipe: Cool Lavender Lemonade
Lavender and mint add a fresh herb flair to classic lemonade. This recipe is perfect for lemonade stands and backyard parties alike.
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Clementine Tea
Recipe: Clementine Tea
Complete a classic Southern meal with this elegant sipper.
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Mulled Cranberry Sipper
Recipe: Mulled Cranberry Sipper
Kick back and relax with this satisfying mocktail.
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Iced Hibiscus Sweet Tea
Recipe: Iced Hibiscus Sweet Tea
Try this refreshing and flowery twist on the classic hot-weather staple.
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Blackberry-Lime Agua Fresca
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Cucumber-Ginger Limeade
Recipe: Cucumber-Ginger Limeade
Try this cooler with gin, vodka, rum, or tequila.
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Lemon-Mint Sparklers
Recipe: Lemon-Mint Sparklers
Make the Lemon-Mint Syrup a week ahead, and keep cold. Chill the club soda, too, but mix the drink just before serving to keep it nice and fizzy. Use leftover syrup to make boozy Lemon-Mint-Bourbon Sparklers for the grown-ups in your crowd, and set up a self-serve beverage station with fresh lemon and mint leaves.