Fruit Water

One of our goals this year was to stop drinking soda. Our family had stopped a few years ago but then one good sale of soda later and we were addicted to it again. We stopped cold turkey again. Yes it's been hard but I'm looking at the long term health benefits and they far outweigh our love for soda. Since stopping soda I've allowed kool-aid, which to me is almost as bad as soda, for the kids but I still needed something. The Biggest Loser Simple Swap book had a recipe for a fruit water which sounded like something I'd love. I have been drinking this drink for almost 4 weeks now and have made a few improvements to the original. Hopefully you'll like it as much as I have.

Fruit Water
adapted from The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps Book

1/2 of a lemon, cut thinly
1/2 of a lime, cut thinly
1/4 of a orange, cut thinly
5-6 grapes
1/8 teaspoon citric acid
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 quarts water

Mix water, citric acid, and sugar until the citric acid and sugar dissolve. Add fruit and stir. (I like to crush the grapes just a little in the water. Place in the fridge to get chilled or serve with ice.

Raspberry Lime Rickey

Did I mention in previous posts about how much I liked most of the recipes in this month's issue of Cooks Country magazine? In the June/July 2009 issue there are several recipes I am planning on trying. Right now I am in love with this drink. Its simple and it feels so summery drinking it. The flavors are just right and its just refreshing. The actual recipe called for seltzer or club soda but I've been using 7Up.

3 cups frozen raspberries (you can use fresh if you have them), 12 oz frozen package
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
4 teaspoons grated lime zest
1/2 cup juice from 4 limes
7Up, chilled
ice

Make syrup: Heat raspberries, sugar, and water in saucepan over medium heat until raspberries begin to release their juices, about 5 minutes. Mash with potato masher until berries break down, then stir in lime zest and juice. Simmer until mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Strain and serve: Pour raspberry mixture through fine mesh strainer set over bowl, pressing on solids to extract liquid (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Discard berry solids. Refrigerate syrup until completely cool, at least 30 minutes or up to one week. To serve, combine 3/4 cup 7Up and 2 tablespoons syrup in tall, ice filled glass.

Lemonade

Use fresh raspberries from your garden or grocery store (when in season). If raspberries aren't in season, frozen raspberries will work just fine. And really, you can use any berry in this recipe. Pick your favorite and make a unique lemonade just the way you like it.
Homemade Raspberry Lemonade
Juice of 3 lemons
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups fruit (strawberries, raspberries, etc)
2 quarts cold water
Slice the lemons in half and microwave them for about ten seconds to make them soft and easier to juice. The juice the lemons and mix all the ingredients together. Add ice and enjoy. You can sweeten with a small amount of Splenda if necessary.