Here’s a refreshing and cooling beverage for the hot summer days that we are experiencing in south Louisiana. We first drank this beverage in Breckenridge, Colorado, last summer. The waiter called it an “Arnold Palmer” named after the famous golfer who ordered it so frequently on golf tournaments that is was named after him. The beverage is a twist on ice tea with a small amount of lemonade and “simple syrup” mixed in. I added mint leaves and a lemon wedge for garnish. Carefully pour the tea over lemonade and ice cubes and it makes two separate layers. The ice cubes don’t last long in this heat!. It’s a smooth and flavorful way to serve iced tea.

Remembering Letters from an Iowa Farmer Grandfather (Before the Internet)

Step outside in the middle of the day in south Louisiana and the heat cuts through the air. I can’t remember when the temperature has hovered around 100 degrees for over a week and that’s before the humidity factor is added in. It this climate change, or just a hot streak? Staying hydrated in this heat is important when you step outside; this refreshing and chilled beverage is an easy way to do that.

My weather report and analysis reminds me of my Iowa farmer grandfather. A long time ago, before the internet, my grandfather used to write letters to all his grandchildren on an old-fashioned typewriter. He’d use carbon paper so that he could type several letters at a time. Sometimes the carbon paper got put in the typewriter backwards, so you’d have to hold the letter up to a mirror to read it. The letters always started out the same way such as, “It’s been hot,” or “It’s been chilly,” or “It’s going to rain.” And so we got to know what the weather was doing in Iowa. I used to think that his letters were sort of silly — but the weather is a very important factor for a farmer. And now that I’m sounding like my grandfather, I don’t think he was silly at all.

Back to Louisiana, my garden has dried up and stopped producing most vegetables in this heat. My zinnias and sunflowers are in full bloom — about the only thing remaining in my yard. These flowers love heat and drought. And I love these colorful flowers as do the bees, hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. I planted alot zinnia variety seeds this year such as, “Cut and Come Again,” and “State Fair,” and “Giant Cactus.” I don’t remember which is what, but just enjoy them all in flower arrangements.

What do you do with this? Remember this food product?

This hot weather calls for a cool, refreshing drink and so I’m mixing up an “Arnold Palmer.” To make the recipe, you need ice tea, lemonade and simple syrup. I used Luzianne brand of tea bags and brewed my own tea. (One “family sized” tea bag and one decaffeinated tea bag makes 2 quarts of tea.) If you don’t have this brand; any black tea will work — Luzianne tea is orange pekoe which is a medium-grade black tea.

I also made my own lemonade using frozen lemonade concentrate. What is this? Unfortunately, it seems that frozen juice concentrates are being replaced by ready-to-serve carton juices. I had to search a long time to find frozen concentrate products on the grocery shelves. But frozen concentrate makes wonderful juices (orange juice, lemonade and limeade) and I hate to see their demise. This may be one food product that the millennial generation– and those even younger –ask, “what is this?” The advantage of using frozen concentrate is that I was able to make it stronger — almost double strength — so it wouldn’t be too dilute when added to the ice.

“Simple Syrup”

Making the “Arnold Palmer” Drink

To finish the drink, carefully pour lemonade over ice cubes in a tall glass to about one-third full. Then slowly and carefully pour on ice tea. You’ll have two layers. Add a tablespoon or two of “simple syrup” and garnish with mint sprigs and a lemon wedge. Serve with a straw so the drink can be mixed up.

Here’s another use for mint leaves which are growing in my garden. Rub the mint leaves between your fingers (wash hands first) to bruise the leaves and release the fragrance. Wow, this is gives the drink a great flavor “pop.”

Enjoy a refreshing beverage on these hot summer days.