Beat-the-heat beverages

Refreshing drinks rival a dip in the pool as a way to cool off.

Settle into a real or imaginary beach chair, and sip these fruity frozen concoctions. Several can be prepared ahead, so when temperatures across the South soar, just grab some out of the freezer, finish the last recipe step, and enjoy. SHIRLEY HARRINGTON

SOUTHERN BREEZE

MAKES 12 SERVINGS

STIR together first 4 ingredients in a 2-quart pitcher; pour evenly into 5 ice cube trays, and freeze at least 8 hours.

COMBINE pineapple juice and ginger ale; serve over raspberry ice cubes. Prep: 10 min., Freeze: 8 hrs.

NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Kool-Aid Island Twists Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade Unsweetened Soft Drink Mix. DONNA EVANS

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

WATERMELON MARGARITAS

COAT rims of cocktail glasses with lime juice; dip in sugar.

PROCESS next 7 ingredients in a blender until slushy. Pour into prepared glasses. Prep: 10 min. MARY PAPPAS

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

NOTE: To make ahead, place mixture into a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; freeze up to 1 month. Let stand about 30 minutes before serving.

STRAWBERRY SLUSH

COMBINE 1 can daiquiri mix, /2 cup water, and enough ice cubes to reach 4-cup level in blender container; process until smooth. Pour into a 3-quart container; set aside.

REPEAT procedure with remaining 1 can daiquiri mix, remaining 1/2 cup water, and enough ice cubes to reach 4-cup level in blender container; process until smooth. Add to first batch in 3-quart container; cover and freeze 8 hours or until firm.

REMOVE from freezer; let stand 15 minutes or until slush can be broken up. Add lemon-lime soft drink, stirring until smooth.

Prep: 10 min., Freeze: 8 hrs., Stand: 15 min.

NOTE: To make ahead, place each blended batch of strawberry daiquiri mixture into a large heavy-duty ziptop plastic bag; seal and freeze. When ready to use, proceed with recipe as directed, using 1 1/2 cups lemon-lime soft drink per batch.

FRUIT PARFAIT SLUSHY

HEAT sugar and 1 1/4 cups water in a saucepan over medium heat 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves and reaches a syrup consistency.

PROCESS crushed pineapple, frozen strawberries, lemonade concentrate, and orange juice concentrate, in batches, in a blender until smooth. Stir in sugar syrup, and freeze at least 8 hours.

REMOVE from freezer, and let stand 30 minutes or until mixture can be broken into pieces. Stir in sparkling water, and serve immediately.

Prep: 10 min., Cook: 5 min., Freeze: 8 hrs., Stand: 30 min. RENEE HEISER SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved