Lose Weight, Eat Better, Feel Great! See More in Diabetic LivingThe last couple of weeks have been scorchers and, as the lyrics of a popular country song advise, you've got "to rehydrate while you dehydrate." If you don't have access to a pool, the next best thing is diving into a tall, cool drink. Here are some alcoholic and nonalcoholic suggestions for patio drinks that are perfect for backyard entertaining, picnics or just lazing away a summer evening in the chaise lounge. Nate Kelly makes a Dragon Fruit Strawberry Mojito at Big River at Hamilton Place. It includes Bacardi Dragon Berry, house made strawberry puree with fresh mint and lime. Nate Kelly makes a Dragon Fruit Strawberry Mojito... 1/4 ounce simple syrup (see recipe below) 1 3/4 ounces Bacardi Dragon Berry rum Muddle limes, mint and simple syrup. Add rum and strawberry puree, shake. Pour over ice and top with soda water. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Remove from the heat and cool completely. Will keep in the refrigerator for 1 month. 2 cups water, still or sparkling 1 lemon, sliced for garnish (optional)4 Piece Recliner Slipcover Instructions Combine strawberries and sugar in a bowl. Cheap Bengal Cat For SaleUse a fork to mash the berries into the sugar. Shopping Cart Cover SkullsIt's OK to leave the strawberries in large chunks, but the sugar must be incorporated into the berries. Chill at least 30 minutes In a large pitcher, combine strawberry mixture with lemonade and water. Ratios may need adjusting to suit your taste. Add sliced lemon and ice. For more of a homemade flavor, use a natural lemonade such as Simply Lemonade. 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 to 6 limes)

Combine tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec and water in a medium pitcher. Rub the rims of four glasses with a lime slice, then dip rim in salt to coat. Serve margaritas in prepared glasses over ice and garnish with lime slices. 1 package (3 ounces) peach-flavored gelatin 1 29-ounce can peach slices in light syrup 4 can (11.3 ounces) peach nectar 8 10-ounce bottles ginger ale or club soda In a large saucepan, combine water, sugar and gelatin. Bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve. Place undrained peach slices in blender. Cover, blend until smooth. In extra-large bowl, combine gelatin mixture, pureed peaches, peach nectar and lemon juice. Divide peach mixture among four 1-quart containers. Cover and freeze overnight or until firm. To serve, place one or more containers at room temperature for one hour. Break into chunks with large fork. Place in punch bowl or other large container. Stir in 2 bottles of ginger ale per container of peach mixture until slushy.

Mixture may be frozen up to 3 months. Each quart holds six servings; — Better Homes and Gardens 3 cups mixture of fresh peaches, sliced and peeled; fresh or frozen sliced strawberries; fresh or frozen cubed mango; or cubed watermelon without seeds 3/4 cup frozen limeade or lemonade concentrate, thawed In blender, combine 3 cups mixed fruit, limeade concentrate, rum and powdered sugar. Cover and blend until smooth. With blender running, gradually add ice cubes through opening in lid until mixture is the desired thickness. Serve in glasses garnished, if desired, with skewers of fresh peaches, strawberries, mango or watermelon cubes. For a nonalcoholic version: Substitute orange juice for rum. In a large pitcher, stir together water, lemon juice and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Chill in refrigerator and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices. 1 pound fresh black cherries, pitted; or two 10-ounce bags frozen pitted black cherries, thawed

1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped Bring water to a boil in a large, covered saucepan over medium heat. Add black cherries, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla bean and star anise. Simmer mixture over low heat for 12-15 minutes, crushing cherries against the side of the pan with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for one hour. Strain cherry mixture through sieve into a saucepan. Bring cherry juice to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat, add tea bags and let steep 4 to 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and let cool. Once tea is a room temperature, transfer to a large pitcher and refrigerate 3 hours or until chilled. Serve over ice, garnished with fresh mint springs. Tea may be kept in refrigerator for up to two days. 1 ounce tea leaves, (if using Earl Grey or Darjeeling, about 1/3 cup loose tea) 1 piece ginger, about 2 inches, peeled and smashed 2 peaches, peeled, pitted and diced 1 peach, pitted and sliced Place tea, lemon and ginger is heatproof container and add boiling water.

Let tea steep 7 to 8 minutes. Place 4 cups of ice in a pitcher, pour in tea. Blend diced peaches and sugar in a blender until smooth, then mix into tea. Serve in glasses over remaining ice and garnish with mint and peach slices.We've narrowed down the options to include some of the very best wood types for a kitchen countertop, whether you're interested in a functional butcher block or a gorgeous accent finish. While a simple, straight grain makes hard maple beautiful, its durability and resistance to abrasion qualify the wood as an ideal material for butcher block countertop installations. A tropical hardwood from Mexico's Pacific coast, teak is reliably sturdy and appealingly exotic. On top of a rich, warm color, teak boasts a naturally high oil content, making the species resistant to moisture—a huge plus for the spill-prone among us! It should come as no surprise that one of the defining characteristics of Tigerwood is its striped quality. It's not often used as a butcher block, but Tigerwood is the hardest species on this list and would undoubtedly make a strong, lasting design statement in any kitchen.

Black walnut is easily one of the most revered woods used in home decor on account of its toughness and beautiful grain. While the sapwood is a honey cream, the heartwood is a brown/black that verges on purple over time. Typically used in furniture construction, cherry is a classic American wood with a subtle red hue that deepens with age. Used in everything from butcher blocks to pianos, cherry's smooth and even finish brings with it a touch of sophistication. Aptly named for its striking stripes, zebrawood is commonly used as a home accent. But this beauty is also a beast. It will stand up against almost anything you throw at it, all while adding an unmistakable 'wow' factor to your kitchen. A popular cutting board material, it's no surprise that bamboo makes a fantastic kitchen countertop. Clean, modern, and sturdy, bamboo is one of the most rapidly renewing species on the planet, making it the eco-friendly choice among this group. Your style options range from a sumptuous whole grain to an edgier parquet design.

Wormy chestnut, a reclaimed lumber, radiates antique rustic charm. But while the country look is unique and on-trend, this type of wood is soft compared to the others and best avoided when it comes to butcher block. An African hardwood, wenge has a sought-after, natural dark brown/black color. Often chosen for its rich hue and straight grain, wenge is highly durable and commonly used in furniture. Before the advent of the chainsaw, many a beech tree was left untouched by lumberjacks, because they were too heavy and tough. Now the species is widely available, relatively affordable, and undeniably good looking, with a nice orange/pink hue that takes finishing stains nicely. Hickory is the strongest American wood, the “Hercules” of American countertops, and the very first American hardwood. So if hickory could survive the Ice Age 50 million years ago, you can bet it will survive the wear and tear it’ll receive in your kitchen! While there are many different types, genuine mahogany is the preferred wood of luxury furniture makers the world over.