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Cheers to Dad! - Fresh Fruit & Herb Drinks for a Cool Father's Day

Summer Drinks with Fresh Fruits & Herbs for Every Taste

Celebrate Father's Day by showing Dad how much you care with refreshing summer beverages! Made with garden-fresh herbs and fruits, these versatile recipes can be enjoyed as non-alcoholic delights or spiked with a splash of alcohol for an extra kick. Perfect for a tranquil afternoon in the garden or a lively family BBQ, these drinks will surely please everyone.  These delicious and adaptable recipes will make this Father's Day truly special.

1. Minty Watermelon Lemonade - with or without Vodka

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed watermelon
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup water
• A handful of fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup vodka (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine watermelon cubes, lemon juice, honey or sugar, and water.
2. Blend until smooth and well combined.
3. Strain the mixture to remove any pulp.
4. Pour into a pitcher and add fresh mint leaves (and vodka, if desired).
5. Serve over ice and garnish with additional mint leaves and watermelon slices.

2. Basil Strawberry Iced Tea - with or without Rum

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4 black tea bags
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
• A handful of fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup white rum (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Boil the water and steep the tea bags for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
3. In a blender, puree the strawberries with the sugar or honey.
4. Strain the strawberry mixture to remove seeds.
5. Combine the tea, strawberry puree, and fresh basil leaves (and rum, if desired) in a pitcher.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
7. Serve over ice and garnish with basil leaves and strawberry slices.

3. Lavender Blueberry Spritzer - with or without Gin

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
• 4 cups sparkling water
• 1 cup gin (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, honey or sugar, lemon juice, and lavender.
2. Cook over medium heat until the blueberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture to remove solids and let it cool.
4. Fill a glass with ice and add a few tablespoons of the blueberry-lavender syrup.
5. Optional: Add a shot of gin, if desired.
6. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
7. Garnish with fresh blueberries and a lemon slice.

4. Cucumber Mint Cooler - with or without Tequila

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
• A handful of fresh mint leaves
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup tequila (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine cucumber slices, lime juice, honey or sugar, and water.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Strain the mixture to remove pulp.
4. Pour into a pitcher and add fresh mint leaves (and tequila, if desired).
5. Serve over ice and garnish with cucumber slices and mint leaves.

5. Peach Thyme Iced Tea - with or without Bourbon

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4 black tea bags
• 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 cup bourbon (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Boil the water and steep the tea bags for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
3. In a small saucepan, combine peach slices, honey or sugar, and thyme.
4. Cook over medium heat until the peaches soften and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
5. Strain the peach mixture to remove solids and let it cool.
6. Combine the tea and peach-thyme syrup (and bourbon, if desired) in a pitcher.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
8. Serve over ice and garnish with peach slices and thyme sprigs.

With these versatile drink recipes, you can cater to everyone's preferences, whether they enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage or a fun, boozy concoction. Featuring the fresh flavors of summer herbs and fruits, which can be found at your local Bay Area SummerWinds Nursery. What a great way to celebrate Father's Day than to raise a glass of any of these delightful drinks.