Summer Straw Sippers!
Introduction: Summer Straw Sippers!
There's no better way to combat the summer heat than by sippin' on a delicious ice-cold beverage-- and with these Summer Straw Sippers, you can turn an ordinary drink into an exquisite refreshment in a matter of minutes!
Simply freeze the Sippers ahead of time following the directions laid out in this Instructable, and when you're in the mood for a liquid treat, mix a Sipper into your drink for instant flavor and chill!
In the below steps, I will outline recipes for three different flavors: a Minty Lemonade Sipper, a Chocolate Milk Sipper, and a Fruity Patriotic Sipper. Feel free to pick your favorite or try all three!
A little about my inspiration:
These Sippers were inspired by single-serve hot chocolate sticks; I wanted to experiment with using this single-serve concept in some of my favorite cold drinks. By using straws in place of wooden sticks, there is an added layer of functionality that allows you to go directly from stirring to sipping! Plus, I found that the reusable silicone straws were more sturdy than thin wooden skewers.
Supplies
Straw Holder:
* ice tray
* cardboard
* box cutter
* pen
* ruler/straightedge
* (4x) reusable silicone straws
Minty Lemonade Sipper:
* 5 lemons (for zesting & juicing)
* 1 cup water
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 lemon, cut into wedges
* 3-4 springs of fresh mint
* 8oz iced tea, water, or other beverage of your choice!
* zester
* small pot & lid
* stir spoon
* knife
* (optional) tongs
* small mixing bowl
* strainer
Chocolate Milk Sipper:
* ~4 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
* ~2 teaspoons butter
* 1/2 cup cocoa powder
* 6 tablespoons sugar
* 2 cups milk (any kind)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 8oz milk
* whisk
* small mixing bowl
* small pot
Fruity Patriotic Sipper:
* 3/4 cup water
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 2 cups coconut water (or regular water)
* 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
* 1/4 cup blueberries
* 6oz sparkling water or prosecco
* small pot
* stir spoon
* small mixing bowl
Step 1: Making the Straw Holder (1/2) - Trace the Tray Pattern
Before we can start making the Sipper themselves, we need to create a template to hold the straws upright while the mixtures are freezing.
This piece can be made quickly and inexpensively using a piece of cardboard. First, cut the cardboard roughly to the size of the ice tray. Then, mark the pattern of the tray onto the cardboard. Use a ruler to extend these markings. You should end up with an approximation of the tray indents marked onto your piece of cardboard.
Step 2: Making the Straw Holder (2/2) - Cut the Slots
Next, mark the center of each indent section. 491
This does not need to be exact; I eyeballed it for my template but you could use a ruler if you'd like.
At each center marking, use your box cutter to score an "X" shape about 1/4" wide. Then, press your straws through these cutouts. The resulting template will keep your straws oriented upright while your Sippers are freezing.
Step 3: Minty Lemonade Sipper (1/5) - Make Lemon Simple Syrup
The first step for making your Minty Lemonade Sippers is to create a sugar & water mixture called "simple syrup".
Start by zesting your lemons. I prefer a tart taste to my lemonade, so I used two lemons. For a sweeter Sipper, you can stick with one lemon.
Then mix 1 cup water with 3/4 cup sugar in a small pot over medium-high heat, stirring regularly. Once the sugar is entirely dissolved, add in your lemon zest and continue to stir over medium heat until the liquid is bubbling.
Remove the pot from the heat and cover, allowing your lemon simple syrup to cool.
Step 4: Minty Lemonade Sipper (2/5) - Juice the Lemons
While the simple syrup is cooling, squeeze 3/4 cup of juice from your lemons. For this amount, I used 5 lemons.
There are many ways to juice your lemons depending on what kind of tools you have around the kitchen. Here is my process, which only requires a knife and (optionally) a set of tongs:
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