Summer Fizzes for a Summer Fiesta

Editor´s note:  We welcome Ericka Sanchez of NibblesandFeasts.com to the SpanglishBaby familia as our new The Culture of Food regular contributor.  We are loving her recipes already and so honored to have her.

Fruity and naturally sweetened drinks are far superior to any fruit concentrate or soda.   Soda pop has been linked to obesity, which leads to other serious health problems.  By making your own sodas, you can limit your intake of sugar and chemicals while dazzling your kids with a natural, tasty drink.

When the temperature rises, I always keep a variety of syrups, fruit teas or aguas frescas in my refrigerator ready for impromptu drinks.  You can pretty much mix and create your own if you experiment with different flavors, spices and fruits.  The options are limitless.  For some fizz, add some sparkling water or club soda.

Since this week we have a Bicultural Birthdays Celebration going on, I am sharing these fizzy and refreshing drinks recipes that are perfect to serve at any fiesta.

Here are three cool-down easy recipes for fun summer sparkling beverages your kids will absolutely love.

All images © NibblesandFeasts.com

Sparkling Rooibos Raspberry:

A delicious way to dilute fruit juice for children

2 teaspoons rooibos (red bush) tea
2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon honey 2 cups raspberry blend 100% fruit juice
2 cups sparkling water

Place loose tea in teapot and cover with boiling water.  Add honey and stir, then let tea cool.  Strain into pitcher.  Combine with juice and sparking water.  Serve cold over ice.

Makes 1 quart

All images © NibblesandFeasts.com

Mijitos

A word play of a Mojito and a perfect thirst-quenching and invigorating beverage.
A family favorite.

10 Mexican limes, juiced
12 mint leaves
2 cups of water
4 tablespoons organic raw blue agave nectar
2 cups sparkling water

Place lime juice and mint leaves in a glass pitcher. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice.  Add blue agave sweetener and stir.  Add water and sparkling water and serve over ice.  Garnish with thin lime slices.

Makes 1 quart

All images © of NibblesandFeasts.com

Fresh Fruity Sunrise

A fun and irresistible drink for the child in all of us

2 cups mango or tropical blend 100% juice
1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup sparkling water

Combine cranberry juice and sparkling water in a separate container.

To get the fun sunrise look in your glass:  Add ice.  First, pour mango juice first to the halfway point in your glass, and then slowly add the cranberry and sparkling water mix.

Makes 1 quart

Share:  What´s your favorite refreshing summer drink?

Ericka Sánchez–Proudly born in Torreón, Coahuila Mexico, Ericka arrived in the United States in 1982 to El Paso, Texas. Her love of food began in her mom’s kitchen but flourished in a food photography studio where she assisted in food styling/design and photo shoots.
Now a wife and a mom to a 2-year old toddler, Ericka launched her bilingual blog Nibbles & Feasts in 2010 as a guide to satiating food cravings through recipes and to share her restaurant recommendations and food events in Los Angeles. You can read all of Ericka´s recipes here.