Beat the heat with this colorful, kaleidoscopic punch that uses the bounty of fresh summer berries and slices of citrus to make it as much fun for kids to drink as it is quenching for adults. A breeze to whip up, but sure to delight guests. Think of it like a sangria that won't punish you for excess. 

This recipe is extremely adaptable to whatever fruit is really gorgeous and seasonal at the market, but make sure to stick to orange (or another citrus) juice as the base — you need the acid to balance flavor.

Ingredients:

1 half gallon of freshly-squeezed orange juice

3/4 liter of sparkling water or unflavored seltzer 

1 pint of strawberries, sliced into rounds

1 pint of blueberries

1/2 of a small watermelon, mix of yellow and red, if possible, cut into pieces or balled with a melon-baller

1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks, sliced

zest of 1 lime

1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice

1 grapefruit, sectioned. Here's how

1 lime, sliced into rounds

1 lemon, sliced into rounds

Lots of ice!

Optional: agave simple syrup to taste (make it by combine equal parts agave nectar and hot water (1 cup to 1 cup) and stir to dissolve. Let cool completely before using)

Method:

Put the orange, lemon and lime juice in a large bowl or pot. Add all the fruit, zest, and ice. Stir and taste and add enough sparkling water to lift it and make it easily drinkable, without overly diluting the flavor. Sweeten with the agave if it needs it. Serve to grateful friends on a hot summer day!

Tip! Leftover punch makes perfect popsicles for kiddos. Just pour into an ice cube tray or popsicle mould and freeze overnight.