Los Barrios Family Cookbook Part 7

2. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, and sweeten with sugar, if desired.

RED FRUIT PUNCH.

[image]ne of my favorite drinks as a child was this great punch, which my aunt would make for birthday parties. All of the children in attendance would be sporting red mustaches as they raced around the backyard from one activity to another!

Makes 4 gallons - 4 envelopes unsweetened Tropical Punch Kool-Aid - 4 cups sugar - 4 cups pineapple juice - 1 cup fresh lemon juice - 3 gallons (13 quarts) water 1. Combine all the ingredients in a large drink cooler or a punch bowl, stirring to dissolve the Kool-Aid and sugar.

2. Add ice, and enjoy.

VARIATION:.

You can garnish the punch with fresh fruit or with drained canned fruit c.o.c.ktail.

REFRESHING WATERMELON DELIGHT.

Refresco de Sandia [image]his fruit-flavored water, or aguas frescas, aguas frescas,is especially delicious, and it looks beautiful served in a clear gla.s.s pitcher.

Makes 1 gallon - 2 pounds watermelon - 3 quarts water - 2 cups sugar 1. Remove the seeds from the watermelon, slice the flesh from the rind, and cut it into chunks. Transfer to a blender, in batches if necessary, and blend for a few seconds; there should still be some small chunks of watermelon.

2. Combine the water and sugar in a large pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the watermelon puree, blending thoroughly. Refrigerate until chilled before serving.

VARIATION:.

You can subst.i.tute cantaloupe for the watermelon.

SANGRIA[image]angria is a cool, refreshing drink for a summer fiesta. But it's so tasty, it's easy to forget it is made with wine-be careful not to drink too much!

Makes gallons - 2 quarts red wine - 2 cups lemon-lime soda - 2 cups orange juice - 1 cups lime juice - 2 cups sugar - 2 cups applesauce - 1 orange, thinly sliced, each slice cut in half - 1 lime, thinly sliced, each slice cut in half - 1 Red Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and sliced into thin rounds 1. Combine the red wine, soda, orange juice, lime juice, sugar, and applesauce in a large pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the orange, lime, and apple. Refrigerate until chilled.

2. Serve in tall gla.s.ses, making sure to include some fruit in each serving.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DIANA BARRIOS TREVInO and her brother, Louie Barrios, own and operate Los Barrios restaurant, which The New York Times The New York Times recently praised as one of the top restaurants in the San Antonio area (although locals have known that for years). She regularly champions Tex-Mex cooking on the Today show, and has appeared on Good Morning America and Food Nation with Bobby Flay. recently praised as one of the top restaurants in the San Antonio area (although locals have known that for years). She regularly champions Tex-Mex cooking on the Today show, and has appeared on Good Morning America and Food Nation with Bobby Flay.