Beat the Heat with Iced Teas, Coffees and Fruit-ades!
The long hot days of August were made for slowing down and kicking back, preferably with a tall, cold glass of your favorite beverage in hand. You don’t need to take a trip to Starbucks for an Iced Latte—make one at home! Check out all our icy recipes and suggestions for chillin’ at home.
Cold Brew Coffee at Home
If you’re a fan of cold brew coffee from your favorite coffee shop, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to make it at home! If you haven’t tried cold brew yet, you’ll be a convert to this smooth, sweet cuppa Joe. And you can serve it cold or hot—“cold brew” just refers to how it was prepared.
No expensive equipment required, and the process is so easy! Simply Recipes walks you through the whole process, but basically, you pour cold water over coarsely-ground beans and let it steep for twelve hours. The water will be infused with the flavor of the coffee beans, leaving out all bitterness. Strain the beans with a French press, if you like, or any strainer you have on hand. Serve over ice with some half-and-half, or heat it up in the microwave for a super-smooth cup of morning coffee.
Get Fancy with Frappes and Lattes
You don’t need an espresso maker to make this SUPER simple Frappe Mocha at home. Taste of Home’s recipe calls for instant coffee granules, milk, chocolate syrup, and a blender. The secret is to make coffee ice cubes in advance so you won’t end up with a watery frappe!
If you’re a coffee connoisseur and make your own excellent coffee or espresso at home, check out Starbuck’s Coffee at Home for instructions on how to create your very own foamy Iced Latte! The secret to the foam is shaking the milk in a mason jar before topping your iced coffee with it!
Iced Sweet Tea and Strawberry Lemonade
It may be hard to believe, but there are cold drinks that don’t involve coffee! If you’re from the South, you know there’s nothing more refreshing than Iced Sweet Tea on a hot summer day. The Kitchn provides a thorough tutorial on how to make the perfect pitcher!
This may end up being not only the kids’ favorite summer drink! All homemade, with only four ingredients—fresh strawberries, fresh lemons, water, and sugar—the secret to this Strawberry Lemonade recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch is making a syrup from the sugar and water before adding the fruit. Blogger Lauren also has a Mint Limeade recipe for a more sophisticated palate, with instructions for how to cut and juice the little green citrus fruit.
Fruit Drinks for Grown-Ups
If fruity summer drinks make you think of exotic vacations you won’t be taking this summer, why not create a getaway of your own? Picture this: you’re sitting on your deck sipping a glass of homemade, fruit-filled Sangria! This delicious mixture of red wine, orange juice, brandy, and your choice of fresh fruits will transport you!
Even more exotic, and every bit as refreshing, this authentic Mojito recipe from All Recipes combines fresh mint and fresh lime with rum for a taste of the Caribbean in Castle Rock!
Don’t forget to slice an extra orange, lemon, or lime garnish to place on the rim of the glass, and if you want to be extra festive, place a little umbrella next to your straw! Fresh whipping cream and a drizzle of chocolate turn a plain iced coffee into a fancy frappe! Check out the Food Network’s new garnishing ideas. From herb-infused salt and ice cubes, to ice cubes made with brightly colored fruit juices and sodas; have fun making your drinks fun at home!
Chillin’ in Crystal Valley
What could be better than relaxing with an iced tea or cocktail on the patio of a brand new home in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley? There’s never been a better time to buy a new home set in natural surroundings in the fast-growing Castle Rock community. Floor plans and elevations vary from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, Century Communities and D.R. Horton. You can virtually visit these homes – via a variety of video chat apps! — or set up a private tour. Choose from ranch or two-story models — priced from the $300s.
