Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes

Drinking water is essential, especially in the summer. Although I don’t have a problem with drinking water to stay hydrated, I like to spruce things up every now and then! If you don’t like water, try adding fruits and vegetables along with herbs such as mint, spearmint, ginger, or cinnamon to give it a desirable flavor. If you want a drink that will quench your thirst or need a colorful drink to serve at a social gathering, try a fruit blend spritz water drink.

Today I want to share with you these refreshing summer drinks. They taste good and are really easy to make. I hope you like them!

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE

If you enjoy a combination of tart with a little bit of sweetness, this is a perfect summer drink for you. Be sure to drain the strawberry puree as you’ll get rid of seeds and excess pulp. Mint is a nice added touch but optional! Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 c. granulated sugar
6 c. water, divided
1 lb. strawberries, hulled and halved
1 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice, from about 10 lemons
Ice
Mint leaves (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer and stir until dissolved. Let cool.
In a blender, combine strawberries and 1 cup water. Blend until pureed. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain puree and discard solids.
In a large pitcher, combine simple syrup, strawberry puree, lemon juice, and the remaining 4 cups of water. Adjust with more water or lemon juice to taste.
Serve over ice with mint.

Recipe courtesy of Delish

BLACKBERRY VIRGIN MOJITO

Nothing I love more than a classic mojito, which is always refreshing with fresh mint. This non-alcoholic version is refreshing with mint syrup and fresh blackberries. It will surely take your mind of the hot summer days. Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

FOR MINT SYRUP

1/2 c. packed fresh mint leaves
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. water

FOR MOJITO

1 c. blackberries
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1/2 c. lime juice
Ice
2 (12-oz.) cans seltzer
Fresh mint, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In a small pot using a wooden spoon or using a mortar and pestle, crush mint leaves. Add sugar and water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let boil for 3 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, then strain out mint leaves, pressing with a wooden spoon to help release all liquid.
In a small bowl, add blackberries (dewberries or mulberries optional) and sugar, and using a wooden spoon, crush blackberries until broken down.
Divide blackberries between 4 glasses and add 2 tablespoons of simple syrup and 2 tablespoons of lime juice to each glass. Fill glasses with ice and top off with seltzer, then garnish with mint.

The recipe is courtesy of Delish

WATERMELON LEMONADE

Nothing tastes better on a hot summer day than ice-cold watermelon. This drink is light and refreshing, garnished with a watermelon slice. Can be made into an adult cocktail by adding a little vodka.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup sugar
½ cup water
4 cups cubed watermelon
3 cups cold water
½ cup fresh lemon juice
6 cups ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

Place the watermelon into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
Bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of cold water and lemon juice.
Divide the ice into glasses, and scoop 2 or 3 tbsp. of watermelon puree over the ice, then top with lemon juice.
Gently stir before serving.
Garnish with a slice of lemon or watermelon to the rim of the glass.

The recipe is courtesy of AllRecipes

SPARKLING GINGER LEMONADE

If you are looking for some ways to spice up your lemonade, try this sparkling drink which has a hint of ginger to give it a nice zesty flavor. Yields: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 c. sugar
1 4-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into coins
1 1/3 c. fresh lemon juice (from about 6 lemons), plus wedges for garnish
1 Liter club soda, chilled

DIRECTIONS

Heat the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the ginger and remove it from the heat.
Let steep 30 minutes, then strain into a pitcher, discarding the ginger.
Stir in the lemon juice and chill for at least 4 hours or until ready to serve.
Add the club soda to the pitcher and stir to combine.
Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with lemon wedges.

The recipe is courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

REFRESHING FRUIT/VEGGIE INFUSED WATER

I make this infused water often and keep it in the refrigerator throughout the year. I basically use whatever fruits are in season along with some thinly sliced cucumber, carrot, lemon, orange, and ginger, mint leaves and add them to my water pitcher. I find infused water very flavorful and quenches my thirst quickly all the while providing me with healthy nutrients.

INGREDIENTS

½ lemon sliced in thin slices
½ cucumber sliced in thin slices
½ carrot sliced in the slices
4 stems of mint leaves
4 thin slices of ginger
Water

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a picture and added water to fill the container.
Keep in the refrigerator.
When chilled, this becomes a more desirable way to drink more water. Yields: 4 servings

FRENCH VANILLA ICED COFFEE

I love nothing more than a good cup of coffee in the morning but sometimes I desire to have one in the afternoon. The issue for me is that I don’t like drinking hot drinks on a hot day! A chilled and creamy iced coffee, sprinkled with a little cinnamon can hit the spot. It is an easy and delicious drink! Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 scoop (heaping Tablespoon) ground coffee
French Vanilla Creamer, to taste (rec. Coffee Mate French Vanilla Creamer) 8 oz insulated cup with ice

DIRECTIONS

Start with a cup of coffee, brewed and cooled to room temperature. I like to brew mine the night before and keep it in the fridge so it’s ready first thing in the morning.
Pour over plenty of ice and add French Vanilla creamer to your liking. I like Coffee Mate French Vanilla Creamer.
Totally optional– sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

The recipe is courtesy of Delicious Made Easy

Quench your thirst this summer and try one of these refreshing drinks to cool off from the hot summer days.

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