**Starbucks Refresher DIY**

Well, we are finally home. Seems like we've been running around like crazy for the past couple months. We got back from our travels out east, then came home for a couple short weeks, and then back to Iowa we went! We had a great time with family and friends, but it's always nice to sleep in your own bed again, cook your food, and *gasp* do laundry and cleaning?! ha. Yes, I know, kind of strange but when I get back from lots of traveling I kind of go into spring cleaning mode, or whatever season it is, and I feel like doing major cleaning.

On to the real reason it's 10:07 p.m. and I really wanted to do a post! :)

Yesterday while I was at Whole Foods I wanted to look for a hibiscus tea. I have previously, many times, had the Starbucks Berry Refresher and it's.... incredible. I'm trying to stay away from too much soy milk, which is the only option for a milk alternative at Starbucks, so I will reach for this instead sometimes if I'm out and about. It's delicious, fresh, great berry flavor, just yum! Their version has green coffee extract in it, which mine doesn't have, but either way, it's a pretty close second! If you need that extra kick, you can probably pick some of that up at your local health food store.

Mine is super simple.

Berry Hibiscus Refresher

8 oz. hot water
1 Tazo, Passion tea bag
1/4 c. frozen raspberries
Raw Rock Sugar from Teavana (I'm sure you can find this elsewhere, that's just where mine is from)

Add everything into a measuring cup and let it steep. I let mine steep until it was cooled quite a bit, maybe 10-12 min. After that time, remove the tea bag and use a spoon to mash the raspberries up, as well as stir the tea around to make sure any remaining sugar is dissolved. 

Serve over ice, and enjoy! It's delicious. This would also be good if you had some lemonade to mix with it.

Speaking of..... here is another goodie for you :)

*~Homemade Lemonade~*

1 c. + 1/8 c. organic lemon juice (I buy it in bulk from Costco and it's super cheap!)
1/2-3/4 c. sugar (depending on how sweet you like it, I like it more tart)
6 cups water
1 lemon, cut up into pieces

Mix water, lemon juice and sugar together, until sugar is dissolved. Cut up lemon into 6-8 pieces and float on top. As I pour a glass, I like to take out a piece of lemon and throw it in the cup with the lemonade. It makes it taste great, plus it also looks fun and summery when you have guests over. 

Enjoy!! :)

Well, those are my summery drinks for the day! I hope you guys enjoy them and they inspire you to get out there and start creating some alternatives to all of the processed junk we are used to drinking!

Peace, Love, and Bottoms Up!

*~Linz~*