These tasty fruity beverages are perfect for summertime.  They are nonalcoholic and perfect for the youngsters, too.  Let these beverages cool you down like a summer breeze.  Try the Citrus Cooler, Apricot Fizz, and Creamy Pineapple-Peach Drink.  These drinks can also be enjoyed by diabetics in reasonable amounts.  The pineapple peach drink only contains the natural fruit sugars.  The yogurt and milk provide the protein to counteract that sugar.  The apricot drink is also a good one for the youngsters with its ginger ale fizz.  Unless children are diabetic, it is probably best to use regular ginger ale.  The flavors of citrus and mint give the cooler a refreshing taste.


CREAMY PINEAPPLE-PEACH DRINK

1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, in own juice

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

2 peach halves, diced

1 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt

1 cup fat-free milk

2 tbsp Splenda

Combine pineapple, pineapple juice, and peaches in container of blender; process until pureed.  Add yogurt, milk, and Splenda; continue to process until smooth and thickened.  Pour into glasses and serve immediately.  This is a great drink for the youngsters with its yogurt, milk, and natural fruit sweetness.  If you normally serve alcoholic drinks at family functions, this is a good way to give children a virgin drink.  They'll grow up realizing they don't need alcohol to enjoy a good drink.


APRICOT FIZZ

3 cups unsweetened apricot juice

3 cups diet ginger ale

1 tbsp lemon juice

Chill apricot juice and ginger ale thoroughly.  To serve, combine apricot juice, ginger ale, and lemon juice; stir well.  Pour into individual glasses.

Yield: 6 one cup servings.  Per serving: 62 cal, 15 g carbs, 1 g protein

Note:  You can use regular ginger ale instead of diet if you are not diabetic or dieting.


CITRUS COOLER

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped

4 cups unsweetened lemonade

1 cup unsweetened orange juice

1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

3/4 cup unsweetened grapefruit juice

1/2 cup Splenda granular

Pour boiling water over mint leaves.  Cover and let stand 10 to 20 minutes.  Strain mixture, discarding the mint leaves.  Transfer mint-flavored water to a large pitcher.  Add lemonade and juices, stir in the Splenda and stir until well mixed and Splenda is dissolved.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours for flavors to blend.

Serves 6

Enjoy!