There are plenty of ways to spice up the traditional recipe of lemon, sugar and water – whether you’re adding fresh fruits for some color and flavor or a bit of booze for a nice tipsy kick. Check out eight ideas for lemonade recipes below and get practicing, if spring month is coming, that means the sweaty months of summer aren’t going to be far behind.

1. Minty Fresh Arnold Palmer

One of the best springtime recipes is also one of the easiest. You can’t go wrong with an Arnold Palmer, a classic mix of half lemonade and half iced tea. One way to make this drink even better is to mintify it – you can do it glass by glass or muddle up a fistfull of leaves in a pitcher before you make your batch.

2. Raspberry Beer Hard Lemonade

Beer drinkers will like this fruity concoction, which mixes lemonade and raspberry beer for a lightly alcoholic mix that is best served on an outdoor patio. The cocktail can be made in large batches, and you can add muddled raspberries to make your batch seem extra fresh.

3. Strawberry Hard Lemonade Slush

If there’s an unseasonably hot day in spring, this strawberry slushie will help cool you down. The recipe can be made with or without alcohol, so it’s friendly for all crowds (sub in lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for the hard lemonade if you want to skip the tipsy quotient).

4. Cherry Lemonade

The Foodie Bride makes pink lemonade with a twist with the simple addition of cherries. The fruit provides a nice and tart compliment to the sugar and citrus in the mix, and the hit of pink makes for some nice visuals. To add an extra twist, freeze a few pitted cherries and throw them in the glass to help cool the drink down.

5. Ginger Lemonade

This simple recipe adds a nice kick to a glass of lemonade in the form of ginger. WIth this one extra ingredient, you can add a whole new world of tanginess.

6. Fizzy Kiwi Lemonade

Treats & Trinkets finds a treat in this recipe for fizzy kiwi lemonade, which adds a fruity kick with some chopped kiwis and throws in the fizz in the form of seltzer. If you want to do a boozy version of this beverage, reach for a bottle of Prosecco in place of that seltzer.

7. Cucumber Lemonade

Pairing cucumbers with your citrus-spiked glass of lemonade may seem unlikely, but the phrase “cool as a cucumber” didn’t come from nowhere. Blogger Munchie Musings offers an easy recipe that is the definition of light and refreshing. It adds a few slices of the veggie and come juice. Refreshment guaranteed.

8. Pink Lemonade Jelly Shots

For a different presentation, whip up a batch of these refreshing jelly shots. Instead of using dixie cups or ice cube molds, you can make them using a hollowed out lemon so they actually like like pink lemonade wedges. They’ll give you the kick of a cocktail and are adorable conversation starters.

[recipe]

nybarfly knows his drinks and also where to get the best sauce in Manhattan. Check out his blog site, NYBarfly and his Tablespoon profile — be sure to continue to check Rock UR Party for more tips and suggestions for discovering new bevvies.

Now’s the time to start thinking about summer entertaining!

It’s when we’re itching to try new recipes and party foods.  This watermelon cake was on the top of my list, since it can be served at backyard BBQ’s, 4th of July gatherings, pool parties and everything in between.  It starts with a Betty Crocker cake mix, and it’s easy to design.  The addition of pink lemonade concentrate adds a slightly sweet-tart flavor, and is used in place of part of the water called for on the box.

Use red and green food coloring and top off with mini chocolate chips for seeds. The watermelon look adds to the summery feel of this easy-to-make pleaser!

Enjoy!

Be sure to check out these other fun cakes:

• Fish Cake-Reel in this sweet catch of the day in no time! Perfect for a theme party or summer get-together.
• Celebrate spring, summer, a birthday or any day with a butterfly-shaped cake. Print out this template and use it as a guide to cutting and assembling your butterfly.
• An easily doctored up cake-strawberry shortcake with an almond glaze.

[recipe]

I love a theme cocktail for any event. This time of year however, there are many so occasions where alcohol either isn’t appropriate or the celebration is for a mixed group encompassing cute pregnant ladies, kids, those dieting and/or training for athletic events, and drivers. Whatever category applies, the teetotaler more often than not gets a ho-hum glass of water, soda, or juice. Not particularly festive or fun.

Which is why I so love flavored ice cubes. They dress up a simple lemonade, and can they be enjoyed by everyone. And, the process of melting actually makes one’s drink better, so these are a perfect choice for warm weather entertaining!

Flavored ice cubes lend themselves to many beverages, including iced tea, water (fizzy or flat), and any sort of punch. My all-time favorite medium, however, is lemonade, which I buy ready-made and pour into a pretty pitcher for serving (why not make it easy?). I serve it with—get this—Strawberry Basil Ice Cubes.

They are so easy to make! First, just whip up a quick batch of Basil Simple Syrup.

Then, puree fresh strawberries. Next, strain to remove seeds (really, this is optional, but I hate it when seeds and pulp clog up a straw). Add the syrup and a little water.

Spoon into silicone ice cube trays or baking molds and freeze.

And they’re ready any time you are.

It’s fun to have a few different varieties of ice cubes. I also love Kiwi Pineapple Ice Cubes (50/50 kiwi puree and pineapple juice) and Random Berry Ice Cubes (place chopped berries in an ice cube tray and fill with flavored fizzy water or juice).

But the sky is the limit here—really any juice, nectar, and fruit combo will work. As will any flavored syrups, either purchased or homemade, like this yummy Ginger Simple Syrup. And for you rainbow fanatics, try these Rainbow Ice Cubes!

Add a handful of cute paper straws, mason jars, colorful cocktail napkins, and maybe a bottle of nice gin or vodka on the side for those who would prefer hard lemonade, and you’ll have a variety of choices that will allow everyone to participate in the fun.

Hope you enjoy!

XO, Michelle

[recipe]

It’s really easy. Start by choosing the details you want to use, then think of ways you can incorporate your party colors to match the theme of the party. For example, if I was going to have a purple party (similar to the one featured on the Martha Stewart show, so cute!), I would create purple desserts, like my Lavender Colored Cupcakes,  just by adding food coloring. So easy!

You can also buy items like cupcake wrappers, candy and cocktail napkins that match the party colors. If you want to serve Lavender Colored Lemonade, you can add a small amount of food coloring to that too and serve a purple drink! Garnishing the drink with licorice adds a nice touch and a yummy treat to the drink! By creating these little touches, you’re tying all of the details together making one perfectly planned party.

Bake some yummy cupcakes!

Add a few drops of purple (or blue and red) food coloring into the white frosting. Whip together well, until desired color is achieved.

Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and garnish with a small piece of purple licorice.

Mmmm…. fresh-squeezed lemonade! Add a few drops of food coloring to the lemonade and stir. Serve with a piece of licorice. YUM!

Perfect Purple Party Treats

• Purple-ricific Layer Cake
• Sparkle Magic Jelly Shots
• Stokes Purple Sweet Potatoes Creme Brulee
• Lavender Colored Lemonade

[recipe]

I don’t know about you, but I have quite a few friends who are cocktail snobs. For some, I wouldn’t dare try to serve them something all pink and sweet in a froufrou stemmed glass. They are die-hard beer drinkers through and through. The others, well — if it’s brown and thick, you’ve just insulted their liquor couture.

So you can imagine finding a drink that everyone can enjoy on a hot summer’s night can prove to be challenging. However, always up for a challenge, I found a happy medium with a Raspberry Beer Hard Lemonade concoction that has never been frowned upon among my circle of friends.

While a really creamy stout is my beer of choice, I have fallen head over heels for raspberry flavored beer. Found in almost any liquor store, combined with equal parts lemonade, it serves up a refreshing drink that’s not too sweet and not too bitter. It is just right. And yes, it is that easy. One part raspberry beer, one part lemonade mixed together in a large pitcher and you’re done. Store it in the fridge for about an hour before serving to make sure it’s nice and cold.

If your friends will allow, you can also dress it up by throwing in a few raspberries  and maybe some cute little cocktail umbrellas.

A word to the wise, while I understand being conservative and wanting to give it a try first, I would recommend getting enough to make a few pitchers. Experience has shown me that it’s usually gone before I can say, “It’s raspberry bee…”

Pucker Up!

If raspberry beer isn’t your thing, here are some other cool “ades” for a hot summer’s night:

Fresh Raspberry Vodka Lemonade

Blueberry Hard Lemonade

Not So “Hard” Lemonade

[recipe]

As a pro golfer, Arnold Palmer is legendary, having been the first to win the Masters four times, with 60 total PGA wins between 1954 and 1975. As a legendary drink, the Arnold Palmer is a non-alcoholic beverage popular at parties, especially outdoor events like summer barbecues and – yes – golfing events.

Arnold Palmer’s Own Arnie Palmer Recipe

Like other kid-friendly beverages such as the Shirley Temple and the Rob Roy, the Arnie Palmer is a non-alcoholic drink, lending to its sometimes classification as a so-called mocktail.

The basic Arnold Palmer recipe contains two main ingredients: iced tea and lemonade. It is widely believed that the two are mixed in equal parts, but in a recent ESPN video the real Arnie Palmer himself set the record straight, clarifying that the drink as he invented it contains 3 parts iced tea to 1 part lemonade. In a single glass, that would amount to filling the glass 3/4 of the way with iced tea and 1/4 of the way with lemonade.

Serving

The two liquid ingredients in the Arnie Palmer drink are poured over ice and served with a lemon wedge.

Usually an Arnie Palmer is served in a Collins glass or a highball glass, both of which are tall, narrow tumblers that resemble a standard pint glass in which beer on tap is traditionally served. A Collins glass, however, is a bit taller, containing 12-16 ounces versus a highball’s 8-12 ounces.

To make a single serving of the drink, use about 5 ounces each of the two liquid ingredients. To make a party sized pitcher or punch bowl, use about 65 ounces each.

Variations

Lemon iced tea is best for a truly citrusy drink. If you use unsweetened ice tea, the drink may not be sweet enough and you might want to add some sugar to compensate. By the same token, if a traditional Arnie Palmer made from sweetened iced tea tastes too sweet for you, simply using unsweetened iced tea instead can help even out the flavor some.

You can also try adding new flavors that compliment the tea and lemonade. This Best Minted Ice Tea Recipe puts a minty twist on this summer classic.

Energy in a Glass

Appropriate for a drink designed by a golfer for outdoor summertime activity, an Arnold Palmer is high in calories, sugar, sodium and carbohydrates with a little protein and almost no fat. This, some have found, makes for a perfect recipe for energy and electrolyte recovery during the heat and humidity of summer.

Tips

Remember that iced tea, unless you make it from herbal tea, is caffeinated. Keep this in mind when serving Arnie Palmers to children in order to monitor their caffeine intake and keep them from getting too hyper.

Traditionally a summertime drink – like golf is traditionally a summertime sport – an Arnie Palmer can really be enjoyed anytime for cool refreshment and sweet summery memories year-round.

Tea Time

Looking for more tea-licious recipes? Give one of these a try:

Tropical Tea

Chai Iced Tea

Easy Mango Iced Tea

[recipe]

1.) Jill’s Vanilla Mojito by Biscuits and Such

Through her sweet homage to her favorite aunt, Elena creates a beautiful cocktail as well. This is a rather interesting spin on the classic mojito. Substituting vodka for rum, she’s lightened the liquor base while adding the sweet taste of vanilla. An avid fan of both vodka and rum, I will definitely be trying out her taste test idea and trying it both ways to see which one prevails!

2.) Watermelon Mint Lime Martini by Savory Sweet Life

Not sure what to do with that left over watermelon after your bbq? Here’s a fun experiment that sounds like it provides delish results. Vodka makes yet another special guest appearance in this martini recipe. It replaces the standard gin and vermouth, while accenting the “tini” with the classic summertime fruit fave!

3.) Strawberry Lemon Limeade by Lana’s Cooking

Who doesn’t love sipping an ice cold lemonade in the summertime? This little recipe spruces the old standard up a bit with a little strawberry and lime. While this recipe isn’t a “cocktail,” per se, something tells me that it can be enjoyed as is or given a little spirit with a little vodka (of course).

Be sure to check back next week to see what new finds we were able to score!