Summer Sippin'.

I find it really easy to stay well-hydrated (I'm talking 8 cups/2 liters of water a day) during both the Summer and Winter months.  When it's hot, I drink for refreshment: cool drinks cool the body! I love coming home after spending time in the heat, to a big glass of cold H2O.  Similarly, when it's cold, I drink for temperature reasons too!  I chug hot herbal tea all Winter long simply to stay warm.

But let's not talk about the cold days right now... let's focus our attention on staying cool while we play beneath the sun's blanket of heat!  Now, who's thirsty?

Lavender Lemonade

2 teaspoons honey

1/2 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon dried lavender** (food grade)

1 cup chilled sparkling water*

3/4 of a lemon, squeezed/juiced

Ice cubes (optional)

Place the lavender and honey in a mug.  Add the boiling water and let steep for an hour.  When cool, strain off the lavender buds (or fish them out with a spoon).  Add to the lavender-honey water the fresh lemon juice and sparking water. Stir well, then taste test (add more lemon, water, or honey depending on taste preference). Garnish with ice cubes and the remaining a lemon (the remaining 1/4 of the lemon). 

*The sparkling water gives the drink some fizz; alternatively tonic water can be used. 

**If you don't have dried lavender, you could use a lavender or other floral tea bag.