Lavender Iced Tea

I heart lavender. Love the scent in my home, love the perfume, and even the fake smelling air freshener in my car and toilet. Just love the stuff.

I scored a big bag of dried Egyptian lavender and decided it would be a shame to use it as potpourri.

Lavender tea is a snap to make. Steep flowers in freshly boiled water, about 2 tablespoons dried lavender to every litre of water is the basic proportion. Add sugar to taste. It's weird, as I'm getting older, my tastebuds are rejecting overly sweet flavours, so I use about 2 tablespoons of sugar to every litre of water.

Bottle and chill in the fridge. To serve, pour in a long glass over ice and garnish with a few sprigs of mint.

Refreshing, floral and soothing on a hot sunny day. The perfect way to chase away tension and blues.

Summer Berry Sangria

Sangria is basically red wine, chopped fruit and shots of liqueur, topped off with a non alcoholic soda and served over ice. With these basic ingredients, you can experiment with endless variations for a taste treat that takes you around the world.

Basic Sangria, makes 1 pitcher:

• 1/2 bottle of red wine
• 2 cups of fruit, cut into 1/2-inch cubes or slices
• 1/2 to 1 cup fruit juice
• 3-4 shots of liqueur
• Non alcoholic soda to top off

Throw fruit and ice into a pitcher, add liqueur and wine and top with mixer. Stir and serve.

Summer Berry Sangria

• 1/2 bottle red wine
• 1 cup of frozen raspberries (squish half and leave the other half whole)
• 1 cup of frozen blackberries (ditto as above)
• 1 cup peach nectar/juice
• 4 shots Limoncello
• San Pellegrino sparkling water

Tropical Sangria

• 1/2 bottle red wine
• 2 cups of cubed mixed pineapples, lychees and mangoes
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 4 shots Midori
• Sprite or 7-Up

Florida Sangria

• 1/2 bottle red wine
• 1 cup orange slices
• 1 cup grapefruit slices
• 1 cup orange juice
• 4 shots Cointreau
• Sparkling water

See the rest of the Italian Idyll menu here:

Appetizer: Bruschetta
Entree: Pasta Carbonara
Dessert: Tiramisu