BEVERAGES.
Beverages are primarily to relieve thirst; they may also contain food elements; they may be used for their effect in heat and cold; for their flavor which helps to increase the appetite; or for their stimulating properties.
WATER. Pure and carbonated; mineral waters contain iron, sulphur, lithium, etc.
Hot drinks should be served at a temperature of from 122 to 140 degrees F. When water is used as a hot drink it should be freshly drawn, brought to a boil and used at once. This sterilizes and develops a better flavor.
Cold water should be thoroughly cooled, but not iced, unless ice water is sipped very slowly and held in the mouth until the chill is off. Water is best cooled by placing the receptacle on ice rather than by putting ice in the water.
FRUIT JUICES. Under fruit juices are
Grape juice, apple juice,
Currant juice, pineapple juice,
Orangeade and lemonade.
They are especially grateful to fever patients and are often used to stimulate the appetite. They are particularly valuable for the acids which they contain, which stimulate the action of the kidneys and the peristaltic action of the digestive tract; they also increase the alkalinity of the blood.
Apples contain malic acid, lemons citric acid and grapes tartaric acid. The ferment in the ripe pineapple juice aids in the digestion of proteins.[14]
Lemonade. Wash and wipe a lemon. Cut a slice from the middle into two pieces to be used in the garnish before serving; then squeeze the juice of the rest of the lemon into a bowl, keeping back the seeds. Add sugar and boiling water; cover and put on ice to cool; strain and pour into a glass.
Fruit Lemonade. To change and vary the flavor, fresh fruit of all kinds may be added to strong lemonade, using boiling water as directed above.
Egg Lemonade. Beat an egg thoroughly, add 2 tablespoonsful of sugar, 2 tablespoonsful of lemon juice and gradually pour in one cup of cold water. Stir until smooth and well mixed. Serve thoroughly cold. This drink is very easily digested, the lemon having partly digested the egg; 2 tablespoonsful of sherry or port may be added.
Bran Lemonade. Mix ¼ cup of wheat bran with 2 cups of cold water. Allow this to stand over night and in the morning add the juice of a lemon.
Pineapple Lemonade. Mix ½ cup of grated pineapple with the juice of 1 lemon and 2 tablespoonsful of sugar; add ½ cup of boiling water, put on ice until cool, then add 1 cup of ice cold water. Strain and serve.
Grape Lemonade. To one cup of lemonade, made as directed above, rather sweet, add ½ cup of grape juice.
Orangeade is prepared as lemonade. The juice of one sour orange to 2 tablespoonsful of sugar and ½ cup of boiling water is about the right proportion.
Mixed Fruit Drink. Mix ¼ cup of grated pineapple, the juice of ½ a lemon, the juice of ½ an orange, 1 cup of boiling water and sugar to taste. Put on the ice until cool. Strain and add more cold water and sugar according to taste.
Pineapple Juice. Pour ½ cup of pineapple juice over crushed ice and serve in a dainty glass. This is especially helpful in cases of weak digestion and in some throat troubles—as stated above, the pineapple aids protein digestion.
Lemon Whey. Heat one cup of milk in a small sauce pan, over hot water, or in a double boiler. Add two tablespoonsful of lemon juice; cook without stirring until the whey separates. Strain through cheese cloth and add two teaspoons of sugar. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with small pieces of lemon.
Wine Whey may be made in the same way, using ¼ cup of sherry wine to 1 cup of hot milk.
Grape Juice, Apple Juice and Currant Juice are tonics and make a dainty variety for the sick room. They should be used according to their strength, usually about ⅓ of juice to ⅔ water. They should be kept cold and tightly corked until ready to serve.
Grape Lithia. Add 4 ounces of Lithia water to 1 ounce of grape juice and two teaspoons of sugar.
Grape Nectar. Boil together 1 pound of sugar and ½ pint of water until it begins to thread. Remove from the fire and when cool add the juice of 6 lemons and one quart of grape juice. Let stand over night. Serve with ice water, Apollinaris, or plain soda water.
Tea Punch. Pour boiling lemonade, sweetened to taste, over tea leaves. Allow the liquid to stand until cool. Then strain and serve with shaved ice and slices of lemon. This makes a delicious cooling drink for hot weather.