What to sip this summer

by Tina Jeffers (Portland, OR)

Portland-based food blogger extraordinaire Tina Jeffers (of Scaling Back) whips up a delicious summer recipe just for us and—get this—chooses a Madewell ensemble that matches in color and spirit.

Cool down a hot summer day with this refreshing sippable drink made with simple syrup, fresh herbs and lemon. It’s supereasy and quick but sure to impress even the pickiest of party guests.

Lemon Thyme Cucumber Cooler

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup thyme sprigs
1/2 lemon
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
6 cups soda water, divided

Stir together the sugar, 3/4 cup water, thyme and lemon in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, reduce the temperature to low and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cucumber and let steep for 30 minutes until cool. Strain the syrup into a container. Keeps up to a week chilled.

To assemble the soda, add 2 tablespoons of the syrup and top with soda water. Stir to combine. Garnish with cucumber slices, lemon and sprigs of thyme.

And here’s my recipe for a summer look that’s just as refreshing!

1. Biltmore® Straw Fedora
2. Slipstitch Sweater-Tank
3. Drifter Shades
4. Bungalow Stripe Panorama Shorts
5. The Bridgewalk Sandal
6. The Marketplace Day Bag