The signs are all around you – the sound of children splashing in the pool, the heat of the summer sun on your skin, the constant craving for ice cream and popsicles – and there is no denying that we are fully in the summer season. Already this summer we have shared some of our favorite grilling and summer side-dish recipes, but this week we want to focus on the more refreshing side of summer and share with you a dozen of our favorite beverage recipes that are sure to help you beat the summer heat.
In addition to being an emulsifier for summer marinades and dips, a humectant for baked goods, and an all-natural sweetener in many recipes, honey works in beverages in functional and unique ways. Whether you're kicking off the day with an iced coffee, mixing up cocktails for two or a refreshing lemonade for a crowd, honey adds depth to the most complex beverage recipes by balancing and enhancing flavor profiles of other ingredients. This is also a great way to play with varietals to add a honey’s subtle nuances to a recipe, such as orange blossom’s citrus notes in our Honey-Hibiscus Orange Punch.
Below we’ve got 12 honey beverage recipes that are as refreshing as they are delicious. So the next time you feel caught up in the clutches of summer, reach for a tall glass of something truly special.