Anyone living in towns where fruits drip off of tree-lined sidewalks, and mangos grow in everyone’s backyard will tell you that grocery store fruit juice just cannot compare to what they drink from their own lawn chairs.  And how could it compare?  But, with July bringing some of the highest temperatures all year in the states, you gotta’ drink something!  Armed with a few good recipes and a few fun items from Goodwill, you can still enjoy a delicious cold drink in your own backyard (Even without the mango trees.)

When I went to Goodwill last week I found mason jars, and a few square containers that I thought would make for a great drink caddy.  Because Goodwill has such an assortment of housewares, you’ll often find objects that will nest perfectly within each other. The red bucket and glass lids I found did just that. Who would have thought?!  Make sure to test your finds in the store, to ensure they fit the way you want.

I filled the square jar with potting soil and added a mint plant (or springs of mint) that your guests can add to their drinks.  In the side containers, cut up slices of lemons and oranges.  You could also fill mason jars with water and sprigs of herbs (like basil and lemon balm) or flowers to spruce up your drink presentation. 

I had a galvanized tub at home to hold everything, but you might find this, or other great containers (like wheelbarrows or unusual platters) at Goodwill for your display.  To arrange, simply fill your biggest container with ice and nestle your drink caddy, with ice packed in around it, on top.  Add mason jars filled with homemade juice, or bottle drinks and enjoy! This is a great idea for small weddings or cookouts because it’s easy to put together, and it’s a fun crowd-pleaser.

Now what drinks to serve!

A combination of homemade and store-bought favorites will keep everyone happy.  I like to make several kinds of juice and store them in clean mason jars to put out with other sodas and water.  You can add ice cubes, slices of lemon or lime, sprigs of mint, or even frozen blueberries and cut up strawberries to festoon the mason jars.

Two great juice recipes:

Watermelon Juice

-Watermelon

-Squeeze of lime

-Water

-1 mint leaf

Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

Some of you might prefer to have a real recipe with quantities J, but I find it so hard to measure when it’s so easy to throw everything into the blender (and it always tastes great). 

For those who’ve never tried it, fill your blender with watermelon pieces and add just enough water to blend (maybe ¼- ½ cup)

Then squeeze in ½ a lime, and taste from there to see if you need more.  The mint leaf adds a nice freshness to the taste, but can be omitted if you prefer.  

Salted Lemonade

Makes 1 gallon

2 cups sugar

1 cup hot water

Pinch of black salt

2 cups fresh lemon juice

Enough cold water to make 1 gallon

1 lemon, sliced 

Mix hot water and sugar until dissolved, add a pinch of salt (black salt has a nice flavor, but any kind will do).  Pour into one-gallon container with lemon juice and enough cold water to make one gallon.  Once mixed pour into mason jars and serve iced. 

These drinks are refreshing and delicious when made with fresh ripe fruit.  Your guests can adapt them to their tastes with your newly up-cycled Goodwill drink caddy and everyone can stay cool in the shade this summer.