LIVING WELL

E L E A N O R O Z I C H

Home wellness expert L I V I N G W E L L

Stir up some summer magic

Easy-drinking thirst quenchers to beat the heat

Kombucha sparkler with rosemary and blueberry

This summer I want to create plenty of flavourful drinks that are as beautiful as they are thirst-quenching. Ripe berries, fragrant herbs and freshly sliced citrus act as my inspiration, with a decadent iced coffee to balance out all the sparkle when you feel like something a little creamy.

These easy-drinking options are lovely for daytime refreshment while still feeling fancy enough to be an alcohol-free option for a summertime barbecue. Once you ’ ve read through the recipes, there’s only one thing left to do and that’s to get mixing.

Kombucha sparkler with rosemary and blueberry

What is a sparkler, you might ask? Typically, it’s a sparkling celebration drink that’s usually made with vodka, cranberry juice, and soda. In this virgin variation, I’m highlighting kombucha instead. It’s refreshingly tart, incredibly sippable, and lightly fragrant with a touch of rosemary. Thyme or basil is another lovely option.

INGREDIENTS

Cranberry juice Kombucha of your choice Fresh or frozen blueberries Sprigs of rosemary, to garnish

1 Start by filling each glass with one-third cranberry juice. 2 Add a small handful of blueberries, then top with the kombucha. 3 Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

Spiced coconut iced coffee

Iced green tea with honey, cucumber & mint

Iced green tea with honey, cucumber & mint

SERVES 4

This concoction of fresh ingredients results in the most bright and sweet summer drink. Cucumber and infused mint complement the green tea beautifully, while honey rounds everything out. Fresh lime works well instead of lemon; feel free to dial the ingredients up or down depending on how sweet or strong you like it.

INGREDIENTS

3 tea bags 4 cups water 4 Tbsp honey ½ cucumber, finely sliced 1 lemon, cut into half moons A large handful of fresh mint Ice cubes, to serve

1 Place the tea bags, water and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until steaming, stir to ensure the honey is dissolved, then allow to cool. Pour into a large jug, and add the cucumber, lemon, and mint. Place in the fridge to infuse. 2 Once you ’re ready to serve, add a few handfuls of ice cubes and stir well.

Tip

For the coffee, I prepared it in a stovetop percolator and divided it between two cups. Espresso would also work well. I recommend 2 shots per serve.

Spiced coconut iced coffee

SERVES 2

Intense and decadent, this robust coffee is served on ice and cut with cinnamon-spiced condensed milk for a creamy, decadent treat. I used coconut condensed milk for this variation, which you can find in the health food section in most supermarkets. Regular condensed milk is also delicious.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled (see Tip) ¼ cup coconut condensed milk 1 tsp cinnamon Ice, to serve

1 Add the cinnamon to the condensed milk and stir until well combined. 2 Divide the condensed milk between two glasses, top with ice, then pour over the cooled coffee.

02

A set of personalised napkins from the In the Roundhouse range. I love personalisation and these add immediate colour to the table.

I never feel I have enough books to rifle through and I always use them to style my shelves. Home by Victoria Alexander is on my to-buy list.

F I N A L S AY

Can’t live without

The five things accessories and dinnerware mogul Alyce Tran adores

Alyce Tran was a corporate lawyer until she founded The Daily Edited, a monogrammable leather accessories business that really flew. Now the Sydney-based creative has turned her hand to bold and colourful dinner plates, co-founding In the Roundhouse, producing tableware we simply can’t live without. 04

An artwork by Jonny Niesche I love colour and an artwork by Jonny has been on my wishlist for too long. I never get sick of looking at these. 03

I really need this Buchanana Studio armchair for one of my spare rooms. It looks comfortable and is available in my favourite colour – pink.

05

I always love updating my vases I never seem to have the right colour or size, even though I have so many. I’m into this small stem raspberry vase at the moment from Curio.