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Sizzling hot! That’s what we’re experiencing weatherwise in mid-America. The kind of hot that when you walk outside, your skin melts. Frying-eggs-on-the-sidewalk hot. Firecrackers-in-the-seat-of-your-pants hot. Prickly-pear hot. Anyone relate?
With the heat comes the warning: Stay hydrated. We all know that caffeine, colas, and even alcohol DE-hydrates, so we’re told to drink water. Lots of water. Lots of boring water. Have I got a treat for you! Sassy Water. Cool. Refreshing. Addictive almost.
This simple recipe which you make the night before and let steep all night has zero calories and plenty of great taste. I learned about it from the Rodale book Flat Belly Diet. I hope you like it.
2 liters water (about 8 ½ cups)
1 tsp. freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearmint leaves
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and let flavors blend overnight. Drink one pitcher a day.
Me again. I sometimes use ½ a lemon and ½ a lime saving the other half for the next day. Also, I think you could easily use 1 gallon of water w/out doubling the other ingredients and still have a refreshing water. And it’s good for you.
You might even feel like reading a hot new summer romance in the shade of your patio while you sip your sassy water. Or make a gallon or two and take to the lake or on your 4th of July picnic.
Cheers!