Cold, refreshing beverages are a key component of any summer get-together. Our friends at Eight O'Clock Coffee have compiled a lit of summer beverage tips (and a bonus dessert tip) sure to keep you and your guests cool at your next party, barbeque or backyard get-together. They've also provided us with a very yummy-sounding recipe for a Mocha Freeze - I can't wait to whip this one up! Enjoy!
1. Instead of serving your guests hot coffee, keep it cool this summer with brew-it-yourself (BIY) coffee recipes. Use coffee ice cubes to create iced coffee or frozen drinks like the Eight O'Clock Mocha Freeze (see below for recipe).
2. Freeze fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries and add to a pitcher of ice water or lemonade. The frozen fruit will create flavor and flare while keeping the refreshment chilled.
3. Need to cool down drinks for your guests quickly? Add some salt to your cooler. Sodium lowers the temperature of ice and will have the drinks cold and your guests refreshed in no time.
4. Set up a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt bar that will delight kids and adults alik. Creating a table with a few favorite fro-yo flavors and different bowls of cookies, candy, fruit, syrups and whipped cream will allow your guests to come up with endless variations of creations.
5. Create your own lemon honey flavored ice cubes to jazz up a pitcher of iced tea. First, fill an ice cube tray halfway with water. Then, cut a lemon in half and squeeze the lemon evenly across the tray. Drizzle honey over each tray cube, freeze and enjoy.
Eight O'Clock Mocha Freeze
Ingredients:
6 cups fresh brewed Eight O'Clock Coffee
1/2 cup whole milk*
3 ounces chocolate syrup
whipped cream
*For a healthier alternative use low-fat milk, low-fat chocolate syrup and low-fat whipped cream.
Directions:
Use (2) out of (6) cups of coffee to pour into an ice cube tray and freeze. Place remaining coffee in refrigerator. Once frozen, place coffee ice cubes in blender. Pour remaining brewed coffee, milk and chocolate syrup over coffee-cubes and blend. To serve, pour and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
