Refreshing and Yummy!

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads each week and offers a unique way to merge booking with cooking!

Apparently I really don't look at many cookbooks anymore--as evidenced by the fact that I never seem to have any to review for this weekly meme. What I do have, however, is some yummy recipes, because if there is one thing this family of mine loves to do, it is eat!!

So, today, I am going to share with you an amazing, refreshing beverage. While the news has been focused on the heat wave hitting the east coast the past week, they forgot to mention the heat here in little old Washington State--a state where 95 percent of homes do not have air conditioning! It has been in the mid to upper 90s most of this week-one day reaching 98 in the suburb where I live! We are sweltering and I needed something yummy and cool to drink! I found it on my favorite cooking blog, My Kitchen Cafe, and the picture and recipe are from her blog. She is my go to blogger when I am looking for some new recipes to try! Go visit her, I think you will find something delish to try!

Rasberry Lime Rickey

12 oz. package frozen raspberries
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
4 teaspoons grated zest and 1/2 cup juice from 4 limes (It took 4 limes to get the 1/2 cup juice but I only used the zest from 3 limes – it was plenty)
Club soda, chilled
Ice

Heat raspberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the raspberries begin to release their juices, about five minutes. Mash the berries with a potato masher until the berries break down, then stir in the lime zest and juice. Simmer until the mixture is slightly thickened, about five minutes.

Pour the raspberry mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl, pressing on solids to extract the liquid. This works best done in batches so the seeds don’t clog up the bottom of the mesh strainer. You should end up with about 2 1/2 cups syrup. Discard the berry solids. Refrigerate the syrup until completely cool, at least 30 minutes or up to 1 week. To serve, combine 3/4 cup club soda and 3 tablespoons syrup in tall, ice-filled glasses.

I hope you all find a way to stay cool and that you have a wonderful weekend--full of cool drinks and good books! On a reading note, I am about 1/2 way through The Lost Summer Of Louisa May Alcott and must say I am thoroughly enjoying it! I have also been busy knitting my first ever garment (that isn't a baby hat) for my little sweetie Lyddie.

Cheers....