When it’s summertime and the weather is warm, sometimes all you want to do is kick back and enjoy a tasty and flavorful drink. Of course, when you do this you risk having a drink that’s high in calories or contains alcohol, both of which can be bad for your healthy. Fortunately, with the right ingredients, it’s possible to create the perfect drink for summer that’s both delicious and healthy. Here are six such drinks that you should be able to make yourself. Enjoy!
Blackberry Limeade
Blackberries are low in sodium and calories but high in vitamin C and antioxidants, making them a great base for a summer drink. Simply puree three cups of blackberries with a cup of water and press it through a sleeve to remove the seeds. From there, just add a few more cups of water, lime juice, and a little bit of natural sweetener. You’ll have a healthy drink that’s great to have on the rocks on a hot day.
Chamomile-Strawberry-Orange Cold-Brewed Tea
Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of chamomile, and this is a good way to get those benefits while also adding some fruit flavor to your tea. Simply add a tea bag, a couple orange slices, and a few strawberries cut in half into a canning jar filled with a cup and a half of water. Let it refrigerate for a day, add some honey, and you’ll have a cold drink that tastes good and is good for you.
Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mule
This is a refreshing lime-based drink that often contains vodka and ginger beer. However, by substituting the alcohol with soda water or tonic water, you can create a tasty drink that’s low in calories and provides many of the health benefits of a citrus drink.
Minted Lemon-Lime Watermelon Agua Fresca
This drink will take a little bit of work, but it’ll be worth it. First, mix half a cup of natural sweetener with water and bring to a boil until the sweetener starts to dissolve. Then stir in chopped mint and one tablespoon each of a grated lime and lemon rind. Put that mixture into a blender with pieces of watermelon until it’s a smooth liquid. Finally, stir in a few tablespoons of lemon juice and a touch of lime juice. Serve with ice and you’ll have a refreshing beverage that’s loaded with healthy vitamins.
Agua Fresca de Pepino
This drink is refreshing and spicy at the same time, not to mention healthy. In a blender, mix three cups of chopped cucumbers, one-quarter of a Serrano pepper, three tablespoons of lime juice, and a quarter cup of natural sweetener. Once the mixture is smooth, add three cups of water and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, simply strain the mixture and it’ll be ready to serve over ice. Between the cucumbers and the pepper, there’s plenty to like about this drink from a health standpoint. At the same time, it’s a cool summertime drink with a little bit of a kick.
Berry Smoothie
With a few types of fruit, some ice, and a blender, you can make yourself a smoothie that’s both healthy and tasty in a matter of minutes. Throw a cup of strawberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries into a blender with a cup of ice, half of a banana, and half a cup of your favorite type of fruit juice. That’s all you have to do to give yourself a smoothie that’s bursting with flavor and full of antioxidants.
