beverages

Wet your whistle at the Little Italy Mercato with a wide variety of refreshing beverages. Start with freshly squeezed citrus juice at Polito Farms, Schaner Farms, or Paradise Valley Ranch, try potent pomegranate juice from Lone Oak Ranch, or enjoy apple cider from Smit Orchards.

Pick up a pound of locally roasted organic beans from Cafe Virtuoso, grab a frothy cappuccino at Joe’s on the Nose, or take home loose leaves from the Tea Gallerie. Try iced tea and fruit juice concoctions from Thirsteas, creative combinations at Power Up Smoothie, or a classic Green Fix Organic Smoothie.

The over-21-set can even pick up locally grown, estate bottled Viognier, Merlot or Syrah from Triple B Ranches to bring home for dinner. What will you be sipping from the Little Italy Mercato on Saturday?

REFRESHER COURSE

Agua Frescas are a great way to capture the sweet flavors of the season in a pitcher.  Simply puree your farm-fresh fruit (or other fresh produce) with a little water, a squeeze of lime and maybe a dash of sugar in a blender and strain.  A 4:1 ratio of water to fruit works well, but adjusting for your taste is easy. Adding fresh herbs will kick things up even more.

At the Adams Avenue Farmer’s Market, start by choosing Kawano Farms Strawberries and a little basil from Suzie’s Farm.  Guavas from Rancho Mexico Lindo with a little extra lime  from Paradise Valley Ranch will make a sweet-tart mixture that's sure to refresh.

Over at the North Park Farmer’s Market, JR Organics has what you need for the classic cucumber lime rendition or a sweeter strawberry mint batch.  Or squeeze the juice from R&L Farms oranges into the blender with a few sprigs of Suzie’s Farm cilantro for an interesting twist. Serving these in a glass rimmed with ginger infused sea salts from Salt Farm  and a wedge of your favorite citrus will dress your frescas to impress!