Staff Picks: Cool Drinks & Treats For the Summer
by lucroe
This summer is already heating up so why not take the time to make some cool drinks and frozen desserts. These books have some creative combinations for both alcohol-free and alcoholic drinks, as well as some healthy sips and indulgent frozen treats.
Chill: Smoothies, Slushes, Shakes, Juices, Drinks & Ices by Cooking Light | Request Now
Looking for some variety in your refreshing summertime drinks? This book has great recipes, clear guidelines, and excellent low-calorie drinks for cooling off this summer. One such low-calorie strawberry smoothie has 200 calories, 2 grams of saturated fat, and less than 25 grams of sugar from naturally occurring sources: fruit, low-fat dairy, and honey. There are also lighter slushes, and cool ices packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy, and natural sweeteners. There’s a delicious protein-packed banana breakfast smoothie, fresh juices with vegetables and fruit as well as options for kids that help control the sugar intake. Enjoy a refreshing and healthy beverage this summer with ideas from this book!
Batch Cocktails: Make-Ahead Pitcher Drinks for Every Occasion by Maggie Hoffman | Request Now
If you are hosting a party this summer, this book will be a great help in having drinks made for your guests. Whether an intimate dinner or a large gathering, Hoffman has all the information you need to make a variety of batch drinks. There is something for everyone, with or without alcohol, fruity, bitter, herbal, etc. These cocktails will please every palate. The drinks are broken down by flavor profile as well as offering event-based suggestions. The tool section is excellent too, skipping the traditional jiggers and shakers and adding pitchers and measuring cups. There is a section for making batch mocktails that is impressive as well. How to save and serve the drinks for a later time is also discussed. So make a pitcher or two of drinks with amazing flavor, then sit back and enjoy.
Drink Lightly: a Lighter Take on Serious Cocktails With 100+ Recipes for Low- and No-Alcohol Drinks by Natasha David | Request Now
Award-winning mixologist, David, provides cocktails that are non-alcoholic or have lower alcohol by volume (ABV), which means they have a lower alcohol content than “traditional” spirits such as vodka or tequila. There are light aperitifs and seltzer mixes but also light spins on stiff drinks such as a martini-inspired concoction that uses muddled cherry tomato or cucumber juice spiked with liquor. This may be for the more adventurous drinker since some of the ingredients may not be readily available in the kitchen, like green bell pepper syrup, pear brandy, or manzanilla sherry. But the flavor combos are inventive and so tempting that you may not mind the effort it takes to assemble them.
Aguas Frescas and Paletas: Refreshing Mexican Drinks and Frozen Treats, Traditional and Reimagined by Ericka Sanchez | Request Now
Scrumptious recipes for Mexican drinks and frozen desserts make a perfect foundation for the hot summer days. Sanchez, from the popular culinary site Nibbles & Feasts, illustrates a variety of simple things you can do with chamoy, tajin, prickly pear, or even cantaloupe seeds. Just reading the recipes and flavor pairings may get your mouth watering, like banana cajeta pops and pineapple cucumber basil cooler. There are recipes for Arroz con Leche in paleta form, or how about horchata or burnt milk pops, all delicious! Easy-to-find ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes make an excellent combination.
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