Hot Sun, Cold Coffee.

If you’re like I am, you can’t do without your morning coffee.  If I try to go without, I have a screaming headache by the middle of the day.

Guess that makes me an addict.  But there are definitely worse things to be addicted to, right?

As spring has arrived and the weather has gotten warmer, I’ve started replaced a cup of hot coffee in the morning with a glass of iced coffee.  If you’ve never tried iced coffee, I’m here to recommend it.

I haven’t invested in any fancy iced coffee maker (yes, there are such machines), and just follow a simple routine for my iced coffee.

Since the hubby gets up the earliest in the household, he always brews a pot of coffee for us before he heads off to work.  When I get up in the mood for iced coffee, I just pour a tall glass half-full of black coffee, add a couple of teaspoons of sugar to dissolve, and let it sit until it reaches room temperature.  This usually takes about as much time as I need to get my youngest out of bed and ready to get to school.

When the coffee is at room temperature, I add ice to the coffee in the glass until it’s full.  That’s it.  Simple and about as refreshing as coffee can be.  Add milk or cream to your iced coffee if you like it that way.

Citrus Water

I can’t think of anything better on a hot day, after a nice long run, than a glass of citrus water (except maybe a Sonic Limeade).  This is so simple and refreshing, it seems almost not right to be able to enjoy it so conveniently.

I get my citrus water prepared before I even leave for my workout, so the citrus can thoroughly flavor the water.

I fill a large plastic water bottle with ice and water.  Then I add a slice of lemon, lime or orange OR a combination of these.  Now that my mint is growing in the backyard, I add a sprig or two of mint, as well.

When I return from a nice hot run in the sun, my citrus water is waiting for me.  And I keep it with me all day long, topping up the water and ice as needed.

White Wine Spritzer

This is one of the perfect warm weather cocktails.  Just perfect for sitting on the front porch and chatting the evening away.

Just half-fill whatever size glass you want with ice.  Add 2 parts club soda to 1 part white wine.  (The size of the glass and the amount of wine is up to you!)  Stir and serve.

Currently, I’m enjoying either Moonbuzz Chardonnay or Sokol Blosser Evolution in my white wine spritzers.