5 Cool (sparkling!) Drinks for Hot Summer Days

Cool drinks for hot summer days...or whenever! Personally, I love carbonated drinks; bring on the bubbles! But they can tend to have a lot of sugar (and sometimes caffeine) and the healthier versions can get kind of pricey. So...here are some homemade flavors; with a little extra effort ahead of time, you can have more control over the amount of sugar and keep costs down. I made a few of the base syrups and kept them in the refridgerator; with some seltzer or club soda on hand...easy to mix and enjoy spontaneously! If desired, you could substitute Prosecco or any other sparkling wine for an alcoholic version. Let these inspire other flavors as well...

Grapefruit Jalapeno Soda
Ingredients -- per 4-6 servings
2 C grapefruit juice
¼ C sugar -- more or less to taste
½ jalapeno*
seltzer or club soda

* more or less, with or without seeds...to your taste; I'm not a big jalapeno fan; I used 1/2 of a smaller jalapeno without seeds -- and wasn't sure I'd like it even then. But I love grapefruit...I used a grapefruit flavored seltzer with this one; and--to my taste--it was good!

Directions
Combine grapefruit juice, sugar and jalapeno (slice or dice it if you want to release more flavor) in a small saucepan. Bring to simmer for 5-10 minutes until syrupy. Let cool, then strain. Combine 2 or more ounces with seltzer or club soda and ice.

Sparkling Basil Lemonade
Ingredients -- per serving
2 oz frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed*
6 (about) torn basil leaves
seltzer, club soda or gingerale

* or make your own simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled to dissolve all the sugar) and mix with lemon juice.

Directions
Combine concentrate and torn basil leaves in a small saucepan and bring to boiling. Remove from heat; let cool, then strain. Combine 2 oz of syrup with 10 oz (more or less) club soda, some ice, and a fresh sprig of basil.

Minted Sparkling Limeade
Ingredients -- per 2 servings
2 oz each: lime juice and water
2 T sugar (more or less to taste)
6 (about) mint leaves
seltzer, club soda or gingerale

Directions
Combine lime juice, water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to simmer for 5 minutes until syrupy. Stir in mint leaves, muddling slightly; let cool, then strain. Combine 2 oz of syrup with 10 oz (more or less) seltzer, club soda or gingerale, some ice, and a fresh sprig of mint.

Grape-Vanilla Soda
Ingredients -- per serving
2 oz frozen grape concentrate, thawed*
½ tsp vanilla extract
seltzer, club soda or Prosecco

Directions
Stir together the grape concentrate and vanilla in a glass. Add ice and seltzer, club soda or Prosecco.

Minted Sparkling Grapefruit Punch
Ingredients --  per 4-5 servings
 C loosely packed mint leaves
1-2 T sugar
3 C grapefruit juice
optional: 1 C vodka (personally, I'd prefer rum in this mix, but suit yourself!)
seltzer or club soda

Directions
Muddle mint leaves with sugar in the bottom of a pitcher. Add grapefruit juice (and vodka, if desired). Chill. If desired, strain out muddled mint leaves. Serve over ice with seltzer or club soda and a fresh mint sprig.