As temperatures rise, there's nothing quite like sipping on a cool, refreshing drink to beat the summer heat. From fruity punches to icy mocktails, here are 10 easy-to-make summer drink recipes that will keep you hydrated and satisfied all season long.
# Watermelon Mint Cooler:
Ingredients 4 cups of chopped watermelon
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Juice of 1 lime
2 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Method- In a blender, combine the chopped watermelon, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and cold water.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any pulp.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with a sprig of mint.
# Pineapple Ginger Punch:
Ingredients
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup ginger ale
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pineapple slices and mint leaves for garnish
Ice cubes
Method- In a large pitcher, combine the pineapple juice, ginger ale, and lemon juice.
Stir well to mix.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with pineapple slices and mint leaves.
# Iced Green Tea with Citrus:
Ingredients 4 green tea bags
4 cups boiling water
1/4 cup honey or agave syrup
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 orange
Lemon and orange slices for garnish
Ice cubes
Method- Place the green tea bags in a heatproof pitcher.
- Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and stir in the honey or agave syrup until dissolved.
- Add the lemon juice and orange juice.
- Chill in the refrigerator until cold.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with lemon and orange slices.
# Cucumber Mint Cooler:
Ingredients 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
Juice of 1 lime
2 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Method- In a blender, combine the chopped cucumber, fresh mint leaves, honey or agave syrup, lime juice, and cold water.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any pulp.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with a slice of cucumber and a sprig of mint.
# Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup honey or agave syrup
3 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Method- In a blender, combine the strawberries, basil leaves, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, and cold water.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with a strawberry slice and a basil leaf.
# Blueberry Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients 1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup honey or agave syrup
3 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Method- In a saucepan, combine the blueberries, dried lavender, and 1 cup of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid.
- In a pitcher, combine the blueberry lavender syrup, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, and cold water.
- Stir well to mix.
- Chill in the refrigerator until cold.
- Serve over ice cubes.
# Mango Coconut Smoothie
Ingredients 1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
Ice cubes
Method- In a blender, combine the diced mango, coconut milk, yogurt, and honey or agave syrup.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add ice cubes and blend again until the desired consistency is reached.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
# Raspberry Lime Sparkler
Ingredients 1 cup fresh raspberries
Juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
3 cups sparkling water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Method- In a blender, combine the raspberries, lime juice, and honey or agave syrup.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
- In a pitcher, combine the raspberry lime syrup and sparkling water.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
# Peach Basil Iced Tea
Ingredients 4 cups brewed black tea, chilled
2 ripe peaches, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
Ice cubes
Method- In a blender, combine the sliced peaches, basil leaves, and honey or agave syrup.
- Blend until smooth.
- In a pitcher, combine the brewed black tea and peach basil mixture.
- Stir well to mix.
- Chill in the refrigerator until cold.
- Serve over ice cubes.
# Coconut Watermelon Refresher
Ingredients 2 cups coconut water
2 cups diced watermelon
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Method- In a blender, combine the coconut water, diced watermelon, lime juice, and honey or agave syrup.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any pulp.
- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves.