Creative summer drink recipes for kids

Adults often have cook-outs and parties in the summer that include an array of beverage options. However, many people do not think about creative drinks for the kids. Instead, party hosts simply pile soda cans in a cooler, and possibly make a pitcher of iced tea or lemonade.

This summer, include the kids with some colorful, easy to make recipes that are sure to please! Most of the recipes are low in calories, but a few may have a high content of sugar. As always, ingredients can be substituted to fit dietary needs.

Have fun and let the kids help. These recipes are simple, and would provide a great way to bond with the kids. To go the extra step, help boost your child's self-esteem by allowing them to present/explain the drink at the party, or share a story about making it!

A classic creation!

To serve 10-12 kids, you will need:

• 2 liters of lemon-lime flavored soda
  
• 1 1/4 cup grenadine
• 1 lime
• 12 Cherries

In a punch bowl or pitcher, mix the lemon-lime flavored soda with grenadine.

I usually cut the lime into wheels or wedges, squeeze lightly over the bowl/pitcher (to mix in some lime juice), and then drop the limes directly into the mix.

Add ice, and pour into glasses. I use highball glasses, which are 8-12 oz.

Garnish with a cherry in each glass. This can be done either by dropping the cherry on top, or using a plastic pick/sword to spear the cherry and place in the glass.

Make sure to supervise children if you do decide to use any type of plastic or wooden utensil to garnish a drink!

Other garnish options:

• A toothpick umbrella
• Lime wedge
• Lemon wedge
  

Another favorite among the kids. Ice cream and soda... cannot go wrong with this one!

To serve 10-12 kids, you will need:

• 1/2 gallon rainbow sherbet
• 2 liter of ginger ale

Place the rainbow sherbet in a punch bowl, and pour the ginger ale on top. Add ice as desired. Ready to serve. This recipe can easily be changed; get creative, using different flavors of sherbert & soda!

Garnish ideas:

• Orange wheels
• Cherries

Made with fresh fruit, this concoction is rich in flavor, color, and fun!

To serve 8-10 kids, you will need:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
• 1 cup sugar (white)
• 8 cups cubed watermelon (seeded or unseeded)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)
• 2 cups water
  

Pour/put all ingredients into a blender. Add ice, and blend until it is a slushy-like consistency (like an icee). The ice should be chopped enough that you do not see any chunks at first glance. Ready to serve.

Garnish ideas:

• Strawberry (slit the strawberry slightly, and you slide it directly onto the rim of the glass)
• Lemon wheel/wedge
• Watermelon slice

This recipe is easy to manipulate and change, aside from the bananas of course!

To serve 10-12 kids, you will need:

• 4 cups of sherbet (typically lemon)
• 1 1/2 liters of fresh grapefruit juice
• 6 bananas
• 2 cups crushed ice

Put sherbert and grapefruit juice into a punch bowl or pitcher. Puree the bananas, and add to the mix. Then, add the crushed ice. Ready to serve.

Garnish ideas:

• 2 banana slices (can slit to slide onto the rim of the glass)
• Grapefruit wheel/wedge
• Lemon wheel/wedge
  

A simple drink packed with flavor.

To make as a punch/pitcher to serve 12 kids, you will need:

• 3/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cup tonic water
• 3/4 gallon orange juice

Mix all ingredients in a bowl or pitcher. Stir and add ice. Ready to serve.

For more fizz, substitute sprite or ginger ale for the tonic water.

Garnish ideas:

• Slice of orange
• Slice of lemon
• 2 cherries
  

Have fun with these recipes! Get the kids in the kitchen with you, and experiment. Using basic ingredients, you can make countless drinks.

Make drinks pretty with a garnish. Such a simple touch, a garnish makes the drink aesthetically pleasing, appealing to the kids, and adds another serving of fruit without drawing attention to it!

Feel free to add a comment including your favorite summer drink recipe for kids, or suggestions to improve or change the recipes listed above.