We survived Heatpocalypse 2011, despite the lack of air conditioning in our Park Slope apartment. But it’s still hot as hell inside, even though temperatures outside have cooled to bearable degrees, and I haven’t slept through the night in days. So while it seems the worst is over, you could say I’m not really “over it”, and we haven’t even seen August yet.

On Friday afternoon when temperatures hit 103˙ here in Brooklyn, the “feels like” heat index was 115˙ (yes, I typed that right). I broke down. I had a headache. I was pissed off. Why was it so damn hot?!

On Saturday it was only a few degrees cooler, but maybe I was seasoned from the day before, because I felt like I could handle it. I dressed in a bikini. I made iced tea. I even cleaned the kitchen. In the evening, when the humidity started to build along with more sweat and discomfort, we drank cold beverages. We ate cold foods. We lounged with fans pointed directly at us. We survived.

I won’t be unprepared the next time this summer kicks up the heat. I’ve got recipes for posts to come – look forward to some deliciously cold foods for hot days. In the meantime, do yourself a favor. Fill your ice trays and make some iced tea. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Here’s my recipe for Sweet Mint Iced Tea. I posted it last summer in the middle of another long heat wave.

If you’re looking for something stronger, I’m fully endorsing this Plum Tarragon Smash as one fabulous (and cooling) summer cocktail.