A refreshingly delicious Raspberry Citrus Green Tea Cooler – perfect for hot summer days!

 I definitely (finally!) get the feeling that summer is here! After weeks of hearing about all the beautiful weather the rest of the country has been enjoying…..we are finally getting our share of it! And it could not be more refreshing!! I love being able to just step outside, barefoot and all, without needing to bundle up and cover every last bit of skin. I love eating on the patio, relaxing while the kids run around the yard, taking walks and actually enjoying them, having friends over for cookouts.

 There’s very little about summer I don’t love….and because I don’t want to be one of those people who complains about the weather no matter hot or cold, I choose to focus on the parts I do love. Like sipping a refreshing drink on the front porch while the kids run through the sprinkler or have a lemonade stand. I’m guessing it’s just because of the limited number of months we have for refreshing beverages and lemonade stands….but in my mind, there could be nothing better!

Pssssst…..we had our first lemonade stand this weekend! The kids made a whopping $3.50, which just barely covers the cost of the lemonade….but that’s clearly beside the point! The point is they had a lemonade stand!! While I enjoyed one of these refreshing Green Tea Citrus Coolers on the porch. Which can only mean one thing: summer is DEFINITELY here!

 And this is definitely the perfect drink for summer! Made with muddled raspberries, green tea, and lemon basil syrup, it is lightly sweet and totally refreshing. The only thing that could make it better? Having the kids add a splash of lemonade from their stand! (It’s the least they can do for me, don’t you think??)

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Raspberry Citrus Green Tea Cooler & $400 Amazon Giveaway!

Servings 1

Author Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c.green tea can substitute or combine with lemonade for a sweeter drink
• 1/2 c. lemon-basil simple syrup recipe below
• 15 fresh raspberries
• 1 basil leaf
• 1 lemon wedge

Lemon-Basil Simple Syrup

• 1 c. water
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. fresh basil leaves
• 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Prepare simple syrup by bringing water and sugar to a boil; once boiling, remove from heat, stir in fresh basil leaves and juice of 1 lemon. Cool completely. {Remove basil leaves before using}
2. Place 10 fresh raspberries into a glass and muddle.
3. Add green tea, lemonade (optional), and lemon-basil simple syrup.
4. Garnish with basil leaf and lemon wedge.
5. *Extra simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Speaking of refreshing…..I have one REFRESHING giveaway for you today! I’m helping Samantha over at Five Heart Home celebrate her 1 year blogiversary with this fabulous $400 Amazon Gift Card giveaway!! Samantha is an absolute sweetheart and an absolutely AMAZING blogger who I have had the pleasure of getting to know throughout this past year. If you’ve never visited her, you are definitely missing out! (Check out some of her refreshing recipes below…..after you enter the giveaway, of course!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brought to you by:

A Little Claireification ~ Blahnik Baker ~ Carmel Moments
Cherished Bliss ~ Five Heart Home ~ Here Comes the Sun
I Should Be Mopping the Floor ~ Joyful Healthy Eats
Just a Girl and Her Blog ~ Kleinworth & Co.
Lemon Tree Dwelling ~ Little Miss Celebration
Love Grows Wild ~ Maison de Pax ~ Mandy’s Recipe Box
Pint Sized Baker ~ Play Party Pin ~ Simply Gloria
Tastes of Lizzy T ~ The Weary Chef ~ Yummy Healthy Easy

 As promised…..here are some of my favorite {refreshing} drink recipes from Samantha!