Cold Drinks Recipe

Make simple syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbs granulated sugar with 1/2 cup water. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. (Alternatively use cold water and shake in a jar until sugar dissolves, but warming speeds dissolution.)

In a pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice and the cooled simple syrup. Add 3.5 cups cold water (adjust to taste) and stir until blended. Taste and add more water or sugar if needed.

Add 2 cups ice to the pitcher or serve over ice in individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if using. Serve immediately.

Place 2 cups hulled strawberries, 3 cups cold water, 3 tbs honey (or simple syrup), 2 tbs lime juice and 6 basil leaves in a blender. Blend on high until smooth, about 30–45 seconds.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove seeds and pulp, pressing with a spoon to extract liquid. Taste and add more sweetener or lime if desired.

Add remaining basil leaves and 2 cups ice to the pitcher or individual glasses. Stir gently, garnish with extra strawberry slices or basil, and serve chilled.

Combine 1 cup coarsely ground coffee with 4 cups cold filtered water in a large jar or pitcher. Stir to ensure grounds are saturated.

Cover and steep at room temperature or in the fridge for 12–18 hours (longer yields stronger concentrate).

After steeping, strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter into a clean container. Press or squeeze gently to extract liquid. This yields cold brew concentrate; dilute 1:1 with cold water or milk when serving, or adjust to taste.

To serve, fill a glass with ice, add equal parts concentrate and cold water or milk, sweeten with 2 tbs simple syrup if desired, stir and enjoy.

In a small bowl, muddle 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber with 10 mint leaves and 2 tbs simple syrup using a muddler or the back of a spoon until the cucumber releases juice and mint is aromatic.

Strain the mixture into a pitcher, pressing to extract liquid. Stir in 2 tbs fresh lime juice.

Add 4 cups cold sparkling water and gently stir to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with extra cucumber slices and mint sprigs.