What better time of the year is there to enjoy an icy, fruity, sweet treat like this that's technically good for you and helps beat the heat of triple-digit temperatures? These two quick and easy desserts are sure to put a smile on everyone's face whether you're poolside or couch-surfing!

Blueberry Lime Italian Ice

• 1 pint Blueberries, frozen or fresh
• 6 oz Raspberries, frozen or fresh
• 1 Lime, juice and zest
• 1 1/2 cup Simple Syrup
• 1 1/2 oz Spiced Rum (Optional)

Strawberry Basil Italian Ice

• 1 pint Strawberries, frozen or fresh
• 1/4 cup Basil, fresh
• 1 Lemon, juice and zest
• 1 1/2 cup Simple Syrup

Instructions on how to make Simple Syrup will follow recipe

Directions:
1. Combine the fruit, citrus juice and zest, herbs, simple syrup, and alcohol (optional but recommended, boozy desserts are best desserts) into a blender. Pulse and blend until the mixture is smooth.
2. Placing about six to eight 4oz ramekins onto a small baking sheet, pour the fruit mixture equally into each ramekin. When all are filled, carefully move the tray to the freezer. Let the mixture freeze for at least 2 hours, or until solid.
3. When the ice are ready to serve, pull from the freezer and let sit for about 5 minutes (if you can wait that long, I know I cant)
Enjoy!

This recipe is great because of how versatile it is on what you can choose for the fruit; pineapple, mango, apples, pears, you name it. Pair your favorite fruit with citrus and herbs that accompany it well, maybe even an alcohol if you choose, and enjoy yourself one hell of a treat. Don't want to wait for it all to freeze? Keep the mixture in the blender, add ice, blend again until all ice is blitzed and you've got yourself a fresh, fruity slushie!

Simple Syrup is one of the easiest things ever to create, and honestly I'm absolutely against buying it already-made from the store because of how legitimately simple it is. To make the 1 1/2 cups worth of syrup needed in these recipes, you'll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Pour the water and sugar into a small pot on the stove over medium heat. Whisk or stir the mixture over the heat until the water goes clear, then let sit for another 2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
When done, turn off the heat and let cool some before adding to the fruit in the blender.
This simple syrup is the same exact stuff used for bartending when making cocktails and a quick way to sweeten cold drinks where regular sugar wont dissolve easily. Seriously though, it's so easy and so much cheaper than buying pre-made, there's really no excuse.