Variety is the Spice of Life

Certain things in life should be divided into seasons. Snow should be contained to winter...grass turns green and flowers bloom in spring...

Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com

we spend time on the beach in summer...leaves turn colors and fall in autumn… Each season has its own unique personality which must include its own beverages. (If people can arrange the books on their shelves and the clothes in their closets by rainbow colors, I can categorize beverages according to season.) It makes sense in a non-linear sort of way.

Summer is for lemonade...fall is for spiced apple cider...winter is for hot chocolate...but spring is a problem. I just can’t figure out what beverage belongs to spring. Here are some ideas:

Strawberry Smoothies

2 c. fresh strawberries

½ c. o.j.

1 ½ - 2 c. ice cream

2 T. sugar

6 – 8 ice cubes

Blend until smooth. Try not to get an ice cream headache.

Ginger-Grapefruit Spritzer (from Everyday Food)

1 piece (3” long) fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

¼ c. sugar

¼ c. honey

4 c. fresh ruby-red grapefruit juice (4 – 5 medium grapefruits)

ice cubes for serving

1 can (12 oz.) club soda

In a small saucepan, combine ginger, sugar, honey and ¼ c. water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves, 2 minutes. Place grapefruit juice in a pitcher. Strain ginger syrup through a sieve into juice. To serve, pour over ice and top off with a splash of club soda. Feel all sophisticated because you just used club soda for something other than stain removal.

Green Juice

1 bunch celery

6 – 8 leaves kale

1 lemon

1 apple

1 inch gingerroot

Run through juicer. In spite of the fact that it tastes rather…ummm…healthy, I have the feeling that this very good for me juice should be the official spring drink. Feel free to vote as your conscience dictates.