One of the best parts of summer is having a full refrigerator. Unfortunately, it can become easy to fall into a rut with basic summer staples. Fear not, collegiettes! Some of summer’s favorites that are easy to make with a kick that can be ready faster than a trip to your favorite summer restaurant.
Easy Lemonade
The key to amazing lemonade is to make sure to melt the sugar in boiling water before adding the lemon juice. Make it plain or add some flavors to this summer classic!
The Basics
Ingredients
1 cup white, granulated sugar (can reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 cup water (for the simple syrup)
1 cup lemon juice
2 to 3 cups cold water (to dilute)
First, make a “simple syrup.” Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir so that the sugar dissolves completely and remove from heat.
While the water is heating for the simple syrup, juice your lemons. Depending on the size of the lemons, 4 to 6 lemons should be enough for one cup of juice.
Pour the juice and the simple syrup sugar water into a serving pitcher. Add 2 to 3 cups of cold water and taste. Add more water if you would like it to be more diluted (though note that when you add ice, it will melt and naturally dilute the lemonade). If the lemonade is a little sweet for your taste, add a little more straight lemon juice to it.
Refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes.
Serve with ice, sliced lemons
Strawberry + Raspberry + Mint Lemonade
Add 1 cup of each berry pureed to the lemonade or add 1/2 cup of finely chopped mint to the sugar before adding the water.
Quick Guacamole
Nothing says summer like a round of chips and guacamole, especially when it’s homemade. Impress your friends and family with a recipe that takes little time and has a ton of kick.
Ingredients
2 avocados
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ripe tomato, chopped
1 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste
Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for a half hour to blend flavors.
Yummy, 2-Ingredient Popsicles
These popsicles are super easy to make. All the recipe requires is the blending and freezing of two ingredients in a popsicle mold! You can also freeze them in ice cubes and add to smoothies, soda, or a milkshake!
Grape Popsicles
Ingredients (9 popsicles)
6 oz. box blackberries
1 large bag (1 pound) seedless red grapes
Banana Nutella Fudgepops
Ingredients (10 popsicles)
6 large overripe bananas, peeled
½ cup Nutella (use ⅓ cup for less of a sweet taste)