Refreshing Summer Drinks

(WTNH) -- Chef Heide Lang shares recipes for summer beverages.

Chef Heide Lang from The Fig Cooking School is back in the kitchen preparing refreshing healthy summer drinks.

To sign up for a class, visit www.figcookingschool.com

Turkish Mint Lemonade
Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup lemon juice (6-8 large organic lemons)
1(packed) cup chopped mint leaved
2 tablespoons ginger, coarsely chopped
6 cups boiling water
2/3 cup pure cane sugar (or honey if you choose)
3-4 cups cold water

1. Combine lemon juice, mint leaves and ginger in a bowl.
2. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the mixture and mix well. Cover and let it steep for 30 minutes.
3. Combine sugar and 2 more cups of boiling water to create a simple syrup. Mix well to assure the sugar dissolves completely and cool in refrigerator until ready to use.
4. Strain the mint-lemon-ginger mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
5. Add the simple syrup to the strained liquid and add 3-4 cups of water depending on how strong/tart you want the lemonade to taste.
6. Add ice cubes to pitcher before serving.
7. Serve with a sprig of mint in each glass.

Strawberry Lavender Smoothies
4-6 servings

Ingredients-
3 ripe bananas
2 cups strawberries
1 ½ cups plain low fat yogurt
1-2 teaspoons dried lavender*
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
½ cup ice

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place lavender in oven for 2-3 minutes, until it is brittle but not brown (Dried lavender is available online at Penzeys.com and other spice websites. You may prepare as much powdered lavender as you'd like at one time and keep it in a well-sealed spice jar for future use).
2. Press the lavender with your fingertips (or with a mortar and pestle if you have one) until it is powdery, like the texture of powdered ginger. Set aside.
3. Place bananas and strawberries in blender and puree.
4. Add yogurt, vanilla, and lavender powder and blend until smooth.
5. Taste mixture, and add sugar if the smoothie is too tart.
6. Add ice and blend once again until smooth.
7. Serve immediately in an attractive glass with a straw.

For other fun summer recipes, go to Fig's food blog, The Fig Test Kitchen at www.figtestkitchen.com