Introduction

Hey dear friends! Summer is here, and it's so hot that you want to stuff yourself in the refrigerator, right? But before you dive into the fridge, today I'm bringing you a detailed guide about cold drinks and mixed beverages. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or a juice lover, here you'll find all the drink recipes you need for summer. Follow me, let's enjoy this cool summer together!

The summer sun is like a giant oven, and when temperatures soar, everyone on the street wishes they could turn into a water droplet and evaporate instantly. But we know that's not possible, so we need some more practical ways to combat this hot weather. Cold drinks and mixed beverages are our most reliable summer cooling companions. They not only help you find refreshment in the heat but also bring a grand party to your taste buds in terms of texture and flavor.

Imagine sitting at home or in your office on a hot afternoon, with scorching sunlight outside, while you're holding a freshly made cold drink, sipping it slowly. The cool liquid sliding down your throat brings a wave of refreshment, instantly making this summer seem more bearable. Whether it's rich cold brew coffee, refreshing lemonade, or nutritious smoothies, each beverage has its unique charm that can make your summer more enjoyable.

Cold Brew Coffee

Introduction

Cold brew coffee, as the name suggests, is coffee brewed in cold water. Why do this? Because cold brewing extracts the delicate flavors from coffee beans while reducing acidity, making the coffee smoother and more suitable for summer consumption.

The charm of cold brew coffee lies in its drastically different extraction method compared to traditional hot brew coffee. Traditional hot brew coffee quickly extracts various substances through high-temperature water, which brings out lots of oils and acidic compounds, resulting in a heavier taste and higher acidity. Cold brew coffee, on the contrary, uses low-temperature long-time steeping to slowly extract sugars, spices, and more delicate flavors from the coffee beans while minimizing acidity and bitterness. This not only makes the coffee taste smoother but also creates a more nuanced and rich drinking experience.

Materials

• Coffee beans (medium roast recommended to balance sweetness and acidity)
• Pure water (as impurities can affect coffee taste)
• Filter paper or filter net (for filtering coffee grounds)
• Glass container (transparent for aesthetics and observing color changes)

Medium roast coffee beans are chosen because this roasting level better preserves the original flavor of the beans, neither too sour nor too intense. The quality of coffee beans directly affects the taste of cold brew coffee, so choosing fresh, high-quality beans is crucial. Pure water helps avoid impurities interfering with the coffee's flavor, ensuring a pure taste.

Glass containers are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve a practical purpose: observing color changes. During the steeping process, the coffee's color gradually changes from dark brown to light brown, which is not only a beautiful visual experience but also an intuitive way to judge if the coffee is properly brewed.

Steps

1. Grinding beans: Coarsely grind the coffee beans, as delicate flavors need to be extracted through coarse grinding, with a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:10.

The coarseness of the grind greatly affects the taste of cold brew coffee. Coarse grinding not only allows for more delicate flavor extraction but also prevents over-extraction that could make the coffee too bitter. Generally, a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:10 ensures moderate concentration and pure taste.

1. Mixing: Combine the coffee grounds and water, gently stirring until the grounds are completely moistened.

When mixing coffee grounds and water, gentle stirring ensures all grounds are evenly moistened, allowing for full flavor release. Excessive stirring can cause the grounds to clump, affecting extraction.

1. Steeping: Place the mixture in the refrigerator or a cool place for 12-24 hours. I find this time range optimal for flavor extraction - too short and the flavor isn't enough, too long and it becomes over-extracted and bitter.

Steeping time is key for cold brew coffee. The 12-24 hour window is the optimal timeframe determined through much experimentation by coffee enthusiasts. During this time, coffee flavors slowly seep out, reaching a balanced point. If too short, the flavors aren't fully developed; if too long, the coffee becomes too bitter, losing its delicacy and smoothness.

1. Filtering: Filter the coffee liquid using filter paper or a filter net to complete the cold brew coffee.

Filtering is the final step, ensuring the coffee liquid is free of grounds for a smoother drink. Both filter paper and filter nets work well - filter paper produces clearer coffee, while filter nets retain some coffee oils for a richer texture.

That's the entire cold brew coffee process, simple isn't it? This method lets you enjoy a smooth, non-bitter coffee in hot summer - truly a summer blessing!

Cold brew coffee isn't just unique in taste; the brewing process itself is full of fun. You can try different coffee beans, adjust ratios and timing to find your perfect cup. Each cold brew coffee is an expression of your understanding and preference for coffee, adding not just flavor but also joy to your summer life.

Homemade Lemonade

Introduction

Lemonade must be familiar to everyone, right? It's not just a thirst-quenching beverage but also rich in vitamin C, helping boost immunity. Especially in summer, lemonade not only replenishes fluids but also refreshes the mind, making it a summer essential.

The charm of lemonade lies in its simplicity and versatility. It's easy to make, uses readily available ingredients, tastes refreshing, and can both quench thirst and supply needed vitamin C. In summer, lemonade isn't just a drink but a lifestyle. It can help you find coolness in the heat, boost energy, and enhance immunity. Especially when you're feeling exhausted after a day of work or study, an iced lemonade can revitalize you.

Materials

• Fresh lemons (choose fresh ones with smooth skin)
• Water (mineral or purified water works)
• Sugar or honey (adjust sweetness to taste)
• Mint leaves (optional, but definitely adds more flavor)

Choosing fresh lemons isn't just about better taste but also higher nutritional value. Smooth lemon skin indicates freshness and more juice content. For water, either mineral or purified water works, mainly to avoid impurities affecting the taste. Sugar or honey adjusts sweetness, with honey providing additional nutrients. While mint leaves are optional, they add a fresh aroma and flavor, giving your drink more depth.

Steps

1. Prepare lemons: Wash lemons and slice them or squeeze for juice. If slicing, remove seeds to avoid them getting stuck in your teeth - that's not comfortable.

When preparing lemons, washing is essential to remove potential pesticide residues. If you choose to slice, removing seeds makes drinking more comfortable. If squeezing directly, roll the lemon on the counter first to extract more juice.

1. Flavoring: Add lemon juice, sugar or honey to water, stir until sugar dissolves completely. Adjust sugar amount to your sweetness preference; honey not only sweetens but adds flavor and nutrients.

When flavoring, adjust sugar or honey amount to personal taste. Add more if you prefer sweeter lemonade; less or none if you like it tart. Honey not only sweetens but provides antioxidants and vitamins, enhancing health benefits.

1. Add flavor: If you have mint leaves, add a few to the water - they not only add fragrance but make your lemonade look more sophisticated.

Adding mint leaves upgrades your lemonade. Their aroma enriches the flavor while enhancing visual appeal. Floating mint leaves create a cool, natural feeling.

1. Add ice: Ice is the soul of lemonade, not only cooling the drink but intensifying the lemon flavor.

Ice is essential to lemonade. It not only quickly cools the drink but releases lemon flavors as it melts, enriching the taste. In summer, an iced lemonade is the perfect heat reliever.

With a glass of lemonade ready, doesn't summer feel much cooler? You can drink it while imagining yourself enjoying sea breezes on a beach - how wonderful!

Lemonade isn't just a drink; it's a summer lifestyle. Whether you're enjoying sunshine on the beach or spending a lazy afternoon at home, lemonade brings refreshment and vitality. Its simplicity and healthiness let you enjoy both flavor and life's simple pleasures.

Smoothies

Introduction

Smoothies, you're probably already familiar with them. They're beverages that blend fruits, vegetables, and liquid, rich in nutrients with a smooth texture, ideal for breakfast or snacks. Smoothies not only supplement vitamins but aid digestion, making them summer's health guardian.

The charm of smoothies lies in their variety and nutritional value. Whether fruits or vegetables, they can all become smoothie ingredients, making smoothies an unlimited platform for creativity. You can choose different fruits and vegetables, add different liquids, creating your unique flavors. Smoothies not only energize you at day's start but provide adequate hydration and nutrition in hot summer.

Materials

• Fruits or vegetables (like bananas, berries, spinach, etc., remember to choose fresh ones)
• Milk or plant milk (choose based on your taste and dietary preferences)
• Ice cubes (optional, but can enhance texture)

Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables is key to making delicious smoothies. Fresh fruit not only tastes better but ensures nutritional value. Milk or plant milk choice can be based on your dietary preferences and taste; if you're vegetarian or lactose intolerant, plant milk is a good option. Ice cubes can enhance texture, making it cooler and smoother.

Steps

1. Prepare ingredients: Cut fruits and vegetables into pieces, peel bananas, wash berries thoroughly.

When preparing ingredients, cutting helps with blending and nutrient absorption. Bananas, with their high sugar and fiber content, act as sweeteners and thickeners; peel them before adding. Berries like blueberries and strawberries should be washed before adding, adding flavor and color.

1. Blend: Put all ingredients in the blender with liquid. Blend until smooth. If you prefer thicker smoothies, use less liquid or skip ice cubes.

During blending, liquid amount directly affects smoothie consistency. Adjust liquid amount based on your texture preference. For thicker smoothies, use less liquid or skip ice. Blend long enough to make all ingredients smooth liquid, avoiding graininess.

1. Season: Add honey, sugar, or other seasonings to taste. For more texture, add nuts or nut butter.

Seasoning personalizes your smoothie. Honey or sugar adds sweetness; other seasonings like cinnamon, ginger, or lemon juice can enrich flavor. Adding nuts or nut butter not only enhances texture but provides extra protein and healthy fats.

Smoothies are perfect for summer, especially in the morning, giving you a refreshing start. Try different fruit combinations to discover your favorite flavor - I think this exploration process is quite interesting.

Smoothies aren't just beverages; they're a lifestyle. Through making and enjoying smoothies, you can enjoy the freshness and nutrition of fruits and vegetables while making each day healthier and more enjoyable. Whether for breakfast energy or afternoon refreshment, smoothies add coolness and vitality to your summer.