#155_Summer Coolers: Cantaloupe Drinks

Cantaloupe drinks,
along with halo-halo, was one street food in the Philippines
that was so popular specially among the kids
to sell at summer time.
Parents would set up stands so these
young "entrepreneurs" can be pre-occupied
during summer when they are out of school.
That was ancient ago. Memories, memories!!
I don't know how kids spend their summer time nowadays, though.
Maybe they are into computers or video games too
just like any other kids around the world, I don't know!

The secret of a good cantaloupe drink
is the use of syrup instead of just plain sugar.

To make simple syrup, boil 1 part water and 1 part sugar;
simmer (do not stir) until sugar is dissolved about 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

Coconut & Cantaloupe Shredder

This hand-held tool is designed for shredding
young coconuts and cantaloupes, and what not.
No other gadgets can do the job
of producing spaghetti-like strips like this one
(except the strips are shorter than spaghetti).


Wash the cantaloupe and split it in half using a knife,
then discard the seeds.
Shred the cantaloupe meat making sure not to go
very deep so as not to include the white part in your drink.


This hand-cranked ice shaver produces
a soft and fluffy and snow-like shaved ice.

Spoon some grated cantaloupes into a glass
and add a couple spoons of the syrup,
more or less, depending on how sweet you want it.
Put some shaved ice and serve with a spoon.
A truly Summer cooler!!


Left over syrup can be stored in a jar with lid and refrigerated for future use.

#149_Super Easy Slushy Punch

Slushy Punch.

This drink is not only refreshing, but
also elegant to serve in any occasion.
The recipe has been in our family since my friend,
Aida taught me how to make it many years ago.
Since then I had served it in several wedding receptions
and in many family gatherings.
Kids and adults alike enjoy it every time I serve it.

All you need is ready-to-drink punch and Sprite

It is super easy to make except you need to prepare it ahead of time
to freeze the ready-to-drink punch.

You can use any kind and any flavor of punch you like.
Fill ice cube trays with your favorite punch
and freeze them until they become solid.
You can also use little plastic containers to freeze the punch in.

About 2 hours before you need it,
put the frozen punch in a punch bowl...

Pour bottles of Sprite in to the bowl.
Let it sit to thaw out the frozen cubes of punch
until they become soft and
slushy.


To garnish:

Add some sliced strawberries or sliced limes
in to the orange slush and allow them to float.
For the strawberry flavored slush, add sliced oranges.

For the Proportion:
To a gallon of frozen punch, add 2 two-liter bottles of Sprite.

ENJOY
AND HAVE A REFRESHING SUMMER!!

#147_ Fruity Smoothie Drink

My friend, Bobbi and I went to a Farmer's Market yesterday
where fruits and veggies were so fresh and cheap.
I was actually surprised to see these fruits so early in the year,
but I was also delighted because me and my husband
have fruit smoothies almost everyday,
either for our breakfast or after dinner.


Usually what I do for some fruits, I wash and slice them up
and put them in ziplock bags and freeze them.
I do these with the apricots, strawberries, pineapple, peaches or nectarines.
For blueberries and raspberries, I just wash and freeze them.

Then when I'm ready to make the smoothies,
I just throw in the blender whatever fruit combo I like,
usually up to 6 to 8 kinds, with 2 cups of orange juice
at the bottom of the blender and crushed iced on top.
No need to add any sugar as the fruits already have
their own natural sugar.
This is a healthy drink but also taste fantastic!

Berry nutritious and berry refreshing!!!

Note: None of the fruits in the blender in the picture above
haven't made their way to the freezer yet.
MaMely haven't got around doing it.