Flavored water

I get tired of drinking plain water. I don't like any of the special flavored waters that you can buy so we make our own.

Fill a pitcher with water.
Cut an orange in quarters. Squeeze in the juice then throw in the pieces
Take a handful of strawberries or raspberries and mash them up a little. Then throw them n the water

Squeeze in a half a lime or Lemon.
Maybe add some cucumber slices.

Next time I may try with carbonated water.

Let sit and have the flavors mix for awhile. Add some ice.

Strawberry Lemonade

My husband loves strawberry lemonade (esp from the cheesecake factory).  For Father's Day I wanted to make some to go along with his dinner.  He enjoyed it and later froze it for a slushy.

(recipe from Emeril Lagasse)

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, garnish
• Whole strawberries, garnish

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and add to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.