With Memorial Day just around the corner, summer is officially on the way… yes! For those of us in the South, this means we have several months of long and sultry days ahead. Can you think of a better way to cool off poolside, beachside or porch-sitting than by enjoying some refreshing summertime sips? The best part is you can enjoy these cool sips without sacrificing taste and with zero calories during swimsuit season… sounds like a win-win!
With options for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions, see some of our favorite recipes sweetened by Equal and get to sippin’…
Cool Peach Ice Tea
Ingredients
4 peaches, peeled, pitted, sliced
9 cups water, divided
1 cup Equal® Spoonful OR 24 packets Equal® sweetener
8 green tea bags
Preparation
Place peaches and 1 cup of the water in blender or food processor. Puree until smooth; set aside.
Bring remaining 8 cups water to boiling in a large saucepan. Add tea bags. Steep 5 to 6 minutes. Remove tea bags; discard. Stir in peach puree.
Refrigerate tea until ready to serve.
Fresh Lemonade with Blackberries
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sparkling water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup Equal® Spoonful or 6 packets Equal® sweetener
12 fresh blackberries, frozen
Ice, as needed
Fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices, optional
Preparation
1. Stir sparkling water, lemon juice and Equal until combined.
2. Place 6 blackberries and ice cubes in each of 2 tall glasses. Divide mixture between the glasses and serve. Garnish each glass with mint and fresh lemon slices, if desired.
Strawberry Spritzer
Ingredients
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
4 cups water
1 cup lemon juice
24 packets Equal® sweetener*
1-1/2 cups club soda, chilled
Thinly sliced lemon, optional
*Substitute 1 cup Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Preparation
Puree strawberries in a food processor or blender.
Combine pureed strawberries, water, lemon juice and Equal in a large pitcher until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Stir in club soda. Garnish each glass with a thin lemon slice, if desired.
Sweet and Spicy Sun Tea
Ingredients
8 cups water
24 packets Equal® sweetener*
6 to 8 bags orange pekoe tea bags
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
6 whole cloves
1 orange, cut into 8 slices, optional
Fresh mint sprigs, optional
* Substitute 1 cup Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Preparation
Pour water into large container with cover that seals. Stir in Equal until dissolved. Place broken cinnamon sticks and cloves in a large tea ball. Place tea ball and tea bags in container. Secure lid onto jar.
Place container in direct sunlight for 4 hours to brew.
Remove tea ball and bags from container. Refrigerate tea 2 hours.
Serve over ice, garnishing each glass with an orange slice and mint, if desired
Wild Berry Mojito
Ingredients
8 to 12 fresh mint leaves
3 to 4 fresh blackberries
3 to 4 fresh blueberries
3 to 4 fresh red raspberries
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 packets Equal® sweetener
Crushed ice
1/4 cup club soda
1 fresh mint sprig, optional
*Substitute 4 teaspoons Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Preparation
Carefully press mint leaves into the bottom of a 12 ounce highball glass with the back of a wooden spoon to release oils. Do not tear the leaves. Add the berries and gently crush. Add lime juice and Equal.
Fill glass with crushed ice. Stir until the ice is reduced by 1/3rd. Add more crushed ice to fill the glass. Stir until the glass begins to frost on the outside.
Pour in Club soda and stir again. Garnish with a mint sprig, if desired.
** For an alcoholic version, add 1/4 cup lite rum with the club soda.
Bayou Zinger
Ingredients
4 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
2 red zinger tea bags
12 packets Equal® sweetener*
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 fresh mint sprigs, optional
2 thin lemon slices, halved, optional
*Substitute 1/2 cup Equal Spoonful for the packets.
Preparation
Heat water and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan to boiling. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags and let steep 7 minutes. Remove tea bags and cinnamon sticks; discard. Let tea mixture cool to room temperature.
Stir in Equal and lemon juice. Refrigerate tea mixture until ready to serve.
Serve over ice, garnishing each glass with mint and a half lemon slice, if desired.
** For an alcoholic version, add 1/4 cup of Southern Comfort to tea mixture just before serving.
Thank you for sharing! I have been looking for low sugar drinks for the summer! These are perfect!