Summer Treats On The Cheap

I’m always looking for summertime bargains that I can enjoy with my children. Our favorite thing this summer has been taking advantage of Happy Hour drink specials that so many restaurants are offering.

Sonic, for example, offers half-price drinks during “Happy Hour” from 2 to 5 pm. Steak & Shake offers a deliciously cool and refreshing milkshake for half price between 2 and 4 pm (check your local restaurants for offers and hours). And many McDonald’s locations sell $.49 vanilla ice cream cones all the time. That’s an awesome snack bargain!

At Sonic, two small slushies for my kids and a Diet Cherry Limeade for me totals a mere $2.18. That’s a tasty summer treat my budget can live with.

Happy Hour at Home

Too hot to venture out? Enjoy a blender treat at home. It’s easy to do with your blender and a few items that might be in your pantry already. My kids and I love to indulge in homemade slushies. The cost is minimal; just be sure to make enough for everyone in the family, since this is a happy hour you definitely don’t want to miss!

World’s Greatest Homemade Slushies

(Courtesy of Hillbilly Housewife)

• 2 cups ice water
• 1 packet fruit-flavored drink mix (use your favorite flavor; unsweetened doesn’t work well)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 4 cups or 1 full tray of ice cubes

Put all ingredients into blender. It will be about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Put the lid on and process the mixture on high for a full minute. Stop the blender and use a spoon to stir it a bit. Look for unchopped ice chunks; you may need to process it for another full minute. If all the ice is crushed, serve immediately. I usually spoon this out of the blender with a measuring cup because the mixture is so thick.

Makes four 8-ounce servings; about $.50 for four servings.