Beverages & Drinks Of A Different Taste

Beverages & Drinks Of A Different Taste

In this time of summer heat cool, tasty drinks are what we seek. Personally I am tired of carbnonated, overly sweet chemical-filled products that are over priced & not really very good for you. Here is a selction of some easy to make, delicous drinks that will fill the bill for cooling you down, relieve the monotany of the summer drink selctions & probably give you some new entertaining ideas. Enjoy....! I do!

Aam Lhassi
Categories: Ethnic, Beverage, Vegetarian, Indian
Yield: 4 Servings
 
      1 c  Diced fresh mango
    1/2 c  Chilled fresh orange juice
      3 tb Clear honey
      2 c  Half-&-Half
   1/4 c  Garden rose petals
 
Combine mango, orange juice & sweetener in food processor. 
Blend for 85 secs.
Pour milk into processor & process till it has expanded & become frothy.
Add the mango puree. 
Process for about 1 min. 
Pour into chilled glasses. 
Garnish with the rose petals if so desired. 
Serve immediately.

ORIGIN: Mura Singh, Washington-DC, circa 1998
 

Oolong Peach Bloom
Categories: Beverage, Tea, Fruit
Yield: 4 Servings
 
      4 c  Water
      2 tb Lightly packed oolong tea eaves
      1 c  Fresh mint
      2 c  Peach nectar
      3 tb Sugar
    1/2 ts Vanilla
           Fresh peach wedges
           Fresh mint sprigs
 
In med-saucepan over med-heat, bring water to just below a simmer.
Remove from heat, add tea & 1 cup mint.
Allow to steep 3 mins.
Strain tea.
Add peach nectar, sugar & vanilla.
Mix well and refrigerate til chilled.
Serve garnished with peach wedges & mint sprigs.

ORIGIN: Florence MacIntosh, London-GB, circa 2000
 

Kazakh Chai - Kazakh Tea
Categories: Beverage, Kazakh, Russian, Ethnic, Tea
Yield: 6 Servings
 
      6 c  Water
      6 ts Loose black tea
      6 ea Cardamon pods
  1 1/2 ts Fennel seeds
      3 c  Milk
           Honey to taste
 
Combine the water, tea, cardamon & fennel seeds in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat for 3 min.
Add the milk & 2 min. later, strain tea into cups.
Add sugar/honey & stir it in.

*NOTE:
This is delicious when served chilled over ice.
 
ORIGIN: Dr. Mira Mulgamentaev, Almaty-Kazakhstan, circa 1994
 

Cajun Basil-Tomato Juice
Categories: Beverage, Healthy
Yield: 1 Batch
 
     1 pt Tomato juice
     2 Tb lemon juice
   1/2 ts Salt
   1/2 ts Cayenne powder
     1 ts Sugar
     1 ts Minced tarragon leaves
     1 ts Minced basil leaves
     1 ts Minced chives
 
Mix tomato juice with herbs & seasonings then allow it to stand for 1-2 hrs. in refrigerator. 
Add lemon juice & strain into glasses.

*NOTE: This makes awesome 'Bloody Marys!'

ORIGIN: Jerry Herbert, Slidell-LA, circa 1994

Lemon Balm Sparkle Drink
Categories: Beverage, Fruit, Honey
Yield: 6 Glasses
 
   1/2 c  Lemon balm leaves minced
     2 ts Honey
     2 c  Boiling spring water
     2 ea Lemon  juice of
     2 c  Ginger beer
    12 ea Ice cubes
 
Place chopped lemon balm leaves with honey & pour boiling spring water over this mixture.
Allow to cool for 30 mins.
Add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Chill for 2-6 hrs. in refrigerator.
Strain & add ginger beer with ice cubes.

ORIGIN: Nancy Ricketts, Savannah-GA, circa 1993

Old-Fashioned Russian Tea
Categories: Beverage, Tea, Healthy
Yield: 1 Pot
 
     4 c  Water
     4 ea Tea bags
     2 c  Orange juice fresh
     6 ea Slices lemon
     6 ea Cinnamon sticks
     1 tb Cloves whole
     6 tb Honey
 
Bring water to boil, add tea bags, orange juice & spices then simmer for 15 mins.
Drink sweetened with honey.
This is very good for colds & the cloves are good for gas as well as indigestion.

*NOTE:
This is a great tea to serve iced.

ORIGIN: Fr. Viktor D. Potemkin, Moscow-Russia, circa1991
 

Beltane Cocktail
Categories: Beverage, Healthy
Yield: 1 Liter
 
   1/2 c  Jasmine petals
   1/2 c  Lavender
   1/2 c  Pansy
   1/2 c  Heather
     1 qt Vodka
     1 c  Spring water
   1/2 c  Honey
            Shaved Ice as required
 
Decant jasmine, lavender, heather & pansy in a liter of vodka.
Steep until petals are translucent.
Strain & add spring water in which honey has been dissolved.
This is an energy enhancer as well as a mild aphrodisiac.
Serve chilled over shaved ice.

*NOTE: Beltane is a Wiccan holiday in Summer.

ORIGIN: Jennifer Llewwelynn, Winnipeg-CA, circa 1994

Copyright © 2006-2008 Donald R Houston, PhD. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the author's consent.