Fragrantly Beautiful

Nonalcoholic drinks replete with juice, fruit a hit with kids, adults

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

John S. LongPlain Dealer Reporter

With temperatures rising and falling, everyone needs a thirst-quenching, refreshing drink. And anytime it gets really hot, that means no alcohol to dehydrate you; heat already takes enough of a toll on your body.

Turn to drinks made with fruit juice, fresh fruit and even sorbet, ice creams and sparkling water to cool you down. If you are throwing a party where alcohol is served, it is wise to have a few pitchers of these drinks on the table.

It is a nice touch for guests who are driving and want a pleasant alternative to liquor, beer and wine. These colorful drinks can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter their age, and are healthful as well as refreshing.

There really are no bounds to where you can go with these fruity drinks.

In most of the world, liquid fruit concoctions have been around forever. A favorite in Mexico is to mix fresh fruit, honey and milk in a blender. With the abundance of tropical fruits including mango, papaya, guava and passion fruit at the ready, these creamy drinks are favorites of young and old.

In India, a favorite drink is the lassi. It is made with fresh fruits, especially mangos and bananas, and mixed with fresh yogurt and a little water. Some Indians will even make their lassi with flavorings that may seem odd by Western standards, such as hot chiles, garlic or, in certain regions, hemp leaves -- which is called a bang lassi.

Not a lot of American palates would enjoy some of those concoctions. But they undoubtedly would relish a Watermelon Lemonade. You simple squeeze the watermelon pulp and mix the liquid result of that with lemonade. The pale pink liquid is a perfect thirst quencher and is one of the best ways to enjoy the watermelon without seeds.

Another favorite cool summer drink that spans generations is Alexandra's Essence, which is featured in Nick Mautone's excellent book, "Raising the Bar" (Artisan, $27.50). Mautone's tome is aimed primarily at drinks with alcohol, but he has put together a chapter on nonalcoholic drinks. The Alexandra drink is a two-toned concoction, with melted mango and red raspberry sorbets each coloring half of the drink. It isn't just pretty, it's also delicious.

If you are partying but playing it smart and not drinking because you are driving, try one of Mautone's Virgin Mojitos. You will almost think you're drinking the real thing (which has rum); the difference is, your ears won't be ringing in the morning.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jlong@plaind.com, 216-999-4564

Lilac Beauty

Makes 1 drink (about 8 ounces)

2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt

2 1/3 ounces white grape juice

1 handful fresh blueberries

1 handful fresh blackberries

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain into a goblet.

Presentation: Garnish with one or two berries on top of the drink. Serve with a straw.

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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 4:35 PM