Friends, readers, faithful followers, I am sad to inform you that this is the last Friday of August, which means that it is also the last Thirsty Friday post of the year.  Sniff, sniff...  

Sometime within the next week I'll compile a comprehensive list of all the refreshing recipes I gave to you this summer, for your drinking pleasure.  

(On a side note, the word comprehensive makes me twinge.  It sounds like I'm talking about an exam... Blah.)

I am aware that the summer season is not technically over, but it's almost September and in my mind Fall kind of begins on September first.  My brain has already transitioned from slushies and watermelons to pumpkin lattes and apple cider doughnuts.  I'm also having to exhibit a gross amount of willpower in order to keep myself from buying all the cute school supplies.  It's an annual battle.  Pretty pencils and lined notebooks just get to me.  

This has been a good Summer.  One of the best of my life, actually, and I am rather despondent to say goodbye -- especially to the slushies.  However, we are going out with flying colors because that's the only right way to do it.

However, I may have been unfair to punch.  Due to my past unpleasant encounters, I utterly disregarded its part in the beverage world.  The whole idea of punch is not bad in and of itself.  

So, in hopes that I could break down my own unfair misconceptions, I decided to make my own punch.  A fruity, green tea based punch that would be a balance of bitter earthiness and sweet, summery fruit, without any of those artificial flavorings. 

Our punch begins with green tea.  Strongly brewed and lightly sweetened. 

To be honest, I am not in the habit of drinking green tea straight up.  There is just something about it that I do not find incredibly appealing. I think its grassy vibe steers me away. 

However, green tea has some wonderful health properties and I have been eager to find a way to work it into my diet.  I found the way, and it includes sweet berries and tangy orange juice. 

I used a combination of frozen cherries and fresh blueberries for this punch but you could use whatever you have on hand.  I think that frozen strawberries would be especially delicious.  

The fruit is blended up with the fresh orange juice and strained through a fine mesh strainer to give us a clean, pulp-free consistency.  

The fruit puree is stirred into our cooled green tea, creating a vibrant, purple punch.  

I enjoyed this punch best when it was served over a full glass of ice and dotted with blueberries and cherries.  Oh, and if your using frozen berries they can be edible ice cubes! 

The sweetness of the berries perfectly balances the bitter earthiness of the green tea.  

No more pineapple soda punch around here.  

Did I mention that this drink is full of antioxidants?  Look at us starting the weekend out right!

I am sad to say goodbye to Thirsty Fridays for now, but excited about the new projects that are in the works. 

Happy Summer, dear friends.  I hope your final August weekend is simply smashing. 

Sincerely, 

  Pedantic Foodie

Green Tea Summer Punch

serves 6-8

• 4 bags green tea 
• 5 cups water 
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 cup black cherries, frozen or fresh 
• 1 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
• juice of two oranges

Bring 5 cups of water to a boil.  Add tea bags and steep for 5-6 minutes.  Remove tea and stir in sugar.  Refrigerate until cool.  

In the base of your blender combine cherries, blueberries, and orange juice.  Strain the berry mixture through a fine mesh strainer.  

Pour the strained berries into the cooled green tea and stir until thoroughly combined.  

Refrigerate punch until ready to serve.  Serve with lots of ice and a few fresh berries.  Enjoy!