A MOM-FRIENDLY CHOICE
There’s something special about a drink that looks like a Shirley Temple. It makes kids feel grown up and they love sipping on the sweet pink cocktailso why not try to create this fun beverage at home with your children? Our recipe doesn’t have any added sugar or soda—just natural sweetness from fresh grapefruit, cherries and basil. It’s the perfect treat to serve the kids when they’re playing around the home or pour into a water bottle for them to enjoy throughout the day.
A portable water bottle is perfect for road trips, picnics and running errands, so be sure to have these fresh fruits on hand for a quick sweet that you can whip up when you are heading on the road—then your children won’t be inclined to ask for the sugary soda in the stores. They’ll love the sweet flavor and bubbles in this spritzer and will feel just like drinking a big-kid drink instead of their usual milk or fruit juices. Serve this spritzer in fun plastic colorful glasses from the dollar store with cute colorful straws and you’ve got yourself a bunch of happy kids.
We all know many kids don’t drink enough throughout the day because they’re too busy playing but this spritzer will give them incentive to stop for a quick sip. It’s easy to make, sweet, citrusy and refreshing which is perfect for an after school treat, a thirst quencher for sports practice or just a colorful beverage to enjoy with dinner. This spritzer goes well with lighter fare such as fish, grilled chicken, vegetables and fruit salad. It’s more appetizing to kids than water or milk and has so many health benefits that you won’t mind if your kids ask for it over their other beverage options.
You can substitute the cherries for other in-season fruit such as apples or blueberries and you can use freshly squeezed orange or lemon juice in place of grapefruit juice, as well as mint instead of basil. So, if your farmers market doesn’t have all of these ingredients—no worries. Leave it to your imagination to create a new spin on this sweet treat.
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Cherries are known as a “super fruit” because they’re filled with antioxidants, Vitamin C, E, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber. Cherries have been called a “brain food” because they’ve been known to help you stay sharp and prevent memory loss as well as reduce soreness after exercise due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Honey is a natural energy booster, has been known to enhance the immune system to protect against colds, and is used as a natural remedy for a sore throat and to help kids sleep better at night. Fresh grapefruit juice contains Vitamin C, A, B complex, E, K and minerals such as potassium, folic acid, calcium, and phosphorous. Grapefruit is also known to help with digestion as well as prevent colds.
Fresh basil gives off a beautiful sweet smell when freshly picked and is full of antioxidant and antibacterial properties, vitamin A, manganese and magnesium. Chia seeds are wonderful seeds filled with healthy omega 3 fatty acids that will keep your kids full and add a nice chewy consistency to your beverage.
After you serve this spritzer to the kids you can add a bit of your favorite alcohol for a refreshing cocktail to cap off the night!
SWEET GRAPEFRUIT CHERRY SPRITZER
Serves: 4
Ingredients
2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
2 TBSP honey
2 TSP freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1 TBSP grapefruit zest
4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
½ TSP chia seeds
2 cups sparkling water
Instructions
- Juice cherries using a juicer or a blender into a large glass.
- Strain through a sieve, pushing juice through with a spatula. Discard cherry solids.
- Pour cherry juice into a large pitcher. Add remaining ingredients; mix well to combine.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
- Serve chilled with additional grapefruit zest, if desired.
