Summer gatherings call for a refreshing, fruity punch for a warm, sunny day. Spritzers with sparkling bubbles, fruity teas with southern tradition and lemon and limeades with tart pop are the signature drinks.

If short on time and energy, look for a recipe that uses a frozen juice concentrate instead of pureeing fresh fruit or use a commercially bottled tea and liven it up with fruity additions.

When using a bubbly addition, make the base and chill and then add the chilled bubbly ingredient just before serving. Don’t forget to add a garnish of a citrus slice, mint or fresh fruit for a festive touch or serve in a special glass like a champagne flute or martini glass.

Lift a refreshing drink to summer!

**Georgia Spritzers

4 fresh, very ripe peaches

4 C. fresh homemade lemonade (see below)

1/2 C. Pina colada drink mix

2 C. lemon-lime soda

Peel and pit peaches. Place in blender and puree until smooth. Combine peach puree, lemonade and Pina colada mix. Refrigerate until chilled. When ready to serve, combine with lemon-lime soda and pour into champagne flutes to serve.

For lemonade:  Combine 3 cups water and 1 cup sugar in saucepan and heat until sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6 lemons) and let cool in refrigerator.

**Southern Tea Spritzer

4 C. sweet tea

2 C. orange juice

4 C. lemon-lime soda

Orange slices for garnishing

Combine tea and orange juice and chill well. Just before serving add lemon-lime soda. Pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices.

**Raspberry Lemonade

1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate

1 (12 oz.) can frozen white grape raspberry juice concentrate

4 cans water

Raspberries and mint for garnishing

Combine juice concentrates and water in a pitcher. Chill and serve over ice. Garnish with a spear of raspberries and a mint leaf.

**Blackberry Limeade

3 C. blackberries

6 C. water, divided

1 C. sugar

2/3 C. fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)

Blackberries and lime slices for garnishing

Wash blackberries and place in blender. Add 1 cup of the water and blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve reserving juice and discarding seeds left in sieve. Add to a half gallon pitcher. Combine 2 cups of the water with sugar in a saucepan and heat until sugar dissolves. Add sugar mixture to pitcher with remaining 3 cups of water and lime juice. Stir to combine and chill until ready to serve. Pour into ice filled glasses and garnish with a slice of lime and a couple of blackberries.