Remember those spring and summer days when you and your friends would set up a lemonade stand? Or maybe you were just kicking back on the porch and relaxing, watching the sunset and sipping a fruity drink? The common factor in all of these memories is a cold, refreshing beverage. 

You might be too old for that lemonade stand, but you don’t need one to enjoy a delicious, cool drink. Beat the heat as you indulge yourself with homemade drinks that are tasty, easy to make and perfect for the whole family! 

Fun Fact: Lemonade stands date back to the 1600s when vendors in Paris – Compagnie de Limonadiers – sold lemonade. However, the drink didn’t become popular until the 1904 World’s Fair. 

These drinks will make your days a lot cooler!

Raspberry Lemonade: A sweet alternative to the classic drink.

What you need

1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate

3 cups water

¾ teaspoon lime juice

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored soda

1 cup crushed ice

1 cup fresh raspberries (garnish)

18 mint leaves (garnish) (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine raspberry lemonade concentrate, water and lime juice. Stir in lemon-lime soda and crushed ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh raspberry and a mint leaf.

Peach Cooler: A delicious treat everyone will love!

What you need

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle lemon-lime flavored soda

2 canned peach halves

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

¼ cup crushed ice

Directions

In a blender, combine lemon-lime soda, peach halves and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and pour into glasses. Top with vanilla ice cream and crushed ice.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie: A healthy way to stay cool.

What you need

2 bananas, sliced

15 strawberries, hulled

½ cup fresh peaches, pitted and chopped

1¾ cups strawberry sorbet

1/3 cup orange juice

Directions

In a blender, combine the bananas and strawberries, blending on medium speed until smooth. Blend in the peaches and orange juice. Scoop in the sorbet and blend until smooth.

Sweet Tea: A Southern favorite!

What you need

2 cups sugar

½ gallon water

1 tray ice cubes

3 family-sized teabags of orange pekoe tea

3 cups cold water (or as needed)

Directions

Pour the sugar into a large pitcher. Bring water to a boil in a large pan. When the water begins to boil, remove from heat and place the teabags in. Let steep for five to six minutes.

Remove teabags and return tea to the heat. Bring just to a boil and pour into pitcher, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Fill the pitcher halfway with ice and stir until most of it melts. Fill the pitcher the rest of the way with cold water and stir until blended.

Don’t forget that these drinks are perfect to make for cookouts and parties! 

Here’s to summer!