Whipping Up Summer Drinks With Fruits and Veggies

Summer is a great season for entertaining but if you are tired of serving the same old drinks at your gathering, a local expert has some interesting ideas.

KYW's Michelle Durham reports Josepha Ambler Inn general manager and sommelier Teg Ostroff says with so many fruit and vegetable options, the sky is the limit:

"Raspberries, strawberries, mangos, papayas, even fresh Jersey peaches, are absolutely wonderful.  Throw a banana in there.  Make it a smoothie, put a little twist on it, throw some ice cream in there, put a little frozen yogurt.  Everything does not have to be ice in a blender."

And Teg says don't forget the herbs or vegetables:

"Take a basic margarita recipe with tequila, triple sec, a little lime juice and some sour mix, and throw some cucumber  in there, a little cilantro, mix it up, and it's going to be a great refreshing summer drink."

Recipe for Joseph Ambler Inn Signature Drink "Pine Valley"

Ingredients:

Fresh Mint Leaves     (10-12 for 8 ounces) (16-18 for 12 ounces)

1 can of Lemonade concentrate - 8 ounces or 12 ounces

1 can filled with Gin (own preference)

1 can filled with Vodka (own prefernce)

Bitter Lemon, Fresca, or Sprite

Emulsify Mint Leaves in a Small amount of Lemonade concentrate (1-2 ounces)

Add remaining Lemonade to blender

Add Gin and Vodka and mix

Pour Mix over highball glasses filled with ice almost to the top

Top off with Bitter Lemon, Fresca, or Sprite

Stir, Serve and Enjoy!