Easy Refreshing drinks in summer

                             

Perfect Fruit punch

                             

Making fruit punch is a bit like playing mad scientist -- which is why it's so much fun to do with kids. You add a little of this and a lot of that to a pitcher until you come up with a drink that's "perfect." We made this version in just that manner, with our kids tasting every step of the way. If you don't have what we used on hand, don't worry. Just let your young scientists experiment with substitutions.

What you'll need

• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 lemon, cut into thin slices
• 1 lime, cut into thin slices
• 3 1/2 cups club soda, chilled

How to make it

1. Mix the juices and syrup in a large pitcher. Chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to blend. Right before serving, add the lemon and lime slices and the club soda, then pour over ice. Makes 8 cups.

2. 
   Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

3. 
   Serves 2 (or one large serving)
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   2/3 cup coconut milk, frozen into ice cubes
   1/2 a large frozen ripe banana (or 1 small frozen banana) 
   1 cup plain or Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat)
   2 T creamy peanut butter
   2 T cocoa powder (not the baking kind, but the kind you make hot chocolate with)
   1 T chocolate nibs or chocolate chips (optional) 
   1/4 - 1/2 cup coconut milk or regular milk
   
   Place all ingredients in the blender except for the coconut or regular milk. Start the blender and slowly add as much of the milk as you need. I try to add as little as possible so that my smoothie is really thick (I like it to be just thinner than a Wendy's Frosty). Blend until smooth. 
   
   Drink up!

7. 
   Pineapple Crush Smoothie               

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11. The riper the pineapple and banana, the sweeter your outcome. This smoothie has it all -- fresh, tropical, and an excellent source of vitamin C.

    What you'll need

    • 1/2 cup orange juice
    • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
    • 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
    • 1/2 frozen very ripe medium banana

    How to make it

    1. 
       
    2. Blend all ingredients together. Serves 2.
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