Many scenes from life go unnoticed or are easily forgotten, so I was delighted to capture this photo of Grandpa enjoying a cool glass of peach iced tea under the shade trees while watching the youngsters playing in the yard. It’s so Norman Rockwellish, don’t you think?

The peach iced tea I am referring to is a simple and lightly fruity drink I like to make in the summertime. Many peach iced tea recipes use peach nectar mixed with black tea. My version, however, is made by steeping Peach Black Tea made by Stash Tea Company in hot water. I make the tea double strength using 2 teabags for each 8 ounces of water. Add sugar to taste to the hot tea if you like it sweetened. Let the tea cool then pour into glasses filled with ice. Garnish each glass with a slice of fresh peach, a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint. Refreshing!

Tags: peach black tea, peach iced tea, Stash Tea Company

Here’s an updated version of the bellini, a cocktail that originated in Italy that consists of sparkling wine and white peach purée. This recipe features mango nectar (or juice) instead of peach purée. It’s beautiful, festive and delicious! This cocktail would be a perfect beginning to a brunch or an al fresco (outdoors) dinner party. For an extra ”pop” of color, garnish each champagne flute with 3 whole raspberries.

As a side note, my pretty French Country flutes are made by Mikasa. If you don’t already have champagne flutes, you should buy a few. They don’t take up much space and they make a celebration that much more special!

Mango Bellini
-makes 1 drink.

1 part mango juice
2 parts chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
3 whole raspberries

Fill a champagne flute one-third full with mango nectar. Top with sparkling wine, leaving a little room for the raspberries, and stir gently. Place raspberries in champagne flute. Enjoy!

Tags: Champagne, cocktail, mango bellini, sparkling wine

This refreshing tropical smoothie has just a hint of lemon flavor and is a perfect summertime snack or quick breakfast. The frozen banana and mango chunks make it thick without watering down the flavor like ice does.

Morning Mango Smoothie
-from the Little Black Book of Smoothies

The perfect breakfast for mango lovers!
Makes 1 smoothie.

1 cup chilled mango juice
3/4 cup low-fat lemon yogurt
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup frozen mango chunks

Pour mango juice into blender and add yogurt, banana, and mango. Blend at high speed until smooth.

Tags: beverage, Breakfast, mango, smoothie, snack

Some mornings I just don’t have time to make a big deal about breakfast. That’s why I love smoothies. You make it, slurp it down, then you’re on to the next thing. Husband bought me The Little Black Book of Smoothies several years ago and I’ve enjoyed trying many of it’s smoothie concoctions. The Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie is one of my favorites. The ingredients can be found at just about any grocery store and are easy to keep stocked up on. The recipe calls for wheat germ, which is loaded with vitamins and minerals including folic acid, iron, zinc and vitamin E (among others); while bananas are a good source of potassium and fiber.

Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie
-from The Little Black Book of Smoothies by Ruth Cullen

Buy golden yellow bananas without any visible bruises, and prepare for freezing by removing peel and slicing. A half cup of sliced banana is approximately a half banana.

1 cup chilled orange juice
1/2 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 frozen banana
1 tablespoon wheat germ
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Pour orange juice into blender and add yogurt, banana, wheat germ, and strawberries. Blend at high speed until smooth. For extra sweetness, add 1 tablespoon honey. Makes approximately 2 servings.

Tags: banana, Breakfast, smoothie, snack, strawberry, wheat germ