Schorle refreshing

A refreshing lime juice "Schorle" and a good magazine on a hot summer's day. 

If it seems like I haven't been around much this week, it's because I have been making the most out of every minute of precious midsummer sunlight we have.  It's been great celebrating the longest day of the year and enjoying time outdoors and at the lake.  But, with the warm weather, I've been needing lots of cold, refreshing drinks to keep me hydrated (and happy).

Perfect for summer, German Schorle (or spritzer) is made with juice and sparkling mineral water and is both delicious tasting and hydrating.  It would be great to try for non-drinkers at your next party or is the perfect thing to take down to the dock while you sunbathe on a warm summer's day.

The most common version in Germany is Apfelschorle, or apple spritzer, made with about 60% apple juice and 40% water.  They even serve this out of the soda machine at McDonald's and Burger King in Germany, almost like iced tea.  It's what all kids drink and is almost as common as water.  I prefer to make it at home and use 40% juice and 60% water and organic apple cider.  It feels a bit more refreshing and less like a sugar bomb that way.

Other common versions of Schorle include cherry juice, grape juice and black currant juice spritzers.  Oh, and you can't forget the "weinschorle" or wine spritzers which are perfect when you don't want something too strong.  Of course, in the U.S. you could (should) use cranberry juice and pomegranate juice (which I am drying to try, it's just too dang expensive here).

For this post, I created a few of my own just for fun. Aside from the common Apfelschorle (in the back above), I created a lime juice schorle and a black currant honey schorle.  (There are some brief instructions below.)

Happy first day of summer!  Enjoy!

Apfelschorle

1/3-1/2 apple juice with 2/3-1/2 sparkling mineral water. 

Lime and agave schorle

a little less than 1/4 cup lime juice with 1/2 table spoon agave (or to taste) mixed with one cup+ sparkling mineral water. 

Black currant and honey schorle 

1/4 cup black currant juice with 1/2 tablespoon honey (or to taste) mixed with one cup+ sparkling mineral water.