With the scorching sun blazing high above us, summer is surely making its presence felt. If you’re out too long in the heat, you can expect nothing less than a lot of sweat, a headache, dehydration or even sunstroke. While eating a couple of ice-creams and drinking cold sherbets may seem like the best possible solution to escape this sweltering predicament, you need to hold back on guzzling one fizzy drink after another for various health related issues. Don’t worry! We’ve made a list of easy-to-make, refreshing drinks that are not only delicious but healthy too.
Take a look at our top 5 healthy drink recipes for the summer:
1. Mint Lemonade
Nimbu Paani is one of the most popular summer drinks of all time. Add a little bit of twist to it and you have a tasty, rejuvenating drink. If you’re planning a picnic, this is a must have.
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 8 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black salt
- ½ tsp grounded black pepper
- 32 oz cold water
- ¼ tsp roasted ground cumin powder to garnish
Directions
- Blend the mint leaves and lemon juice into paste
- Add sugar, salt, black salt and black pepper and blend them together
- Mix the lemonade solution with water and pour it over the ice
- Garnish with mint leaves and cumin
2. Sweet Summer Tea
While not many like the idea of drinking tea that’s too sweet, this cool, refreshing tea will make you want to pour yourself another glass. The green tea, packed with its antioxidant properties combined with honey make for an excellent drink that’ll not only cool you but build your immune system as well.
Ingredients
- ½ gallon (8 cups) chilled water
- 6 green tea bags
- ½ cup honey
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 8 fresh mint leaves
Directions
- Boil 2 cups of water, remove them from heat and add the teabags. Let the teabags steep for 8-12 minutes
- Discard the teabags, add honey and stir till it is mixed
- Pour six cups of chilled water in a pitcher, add the tea and stir to mix
- Throw in the sliced lemons, mint leaves and ice
PS: If you follow the recipe to the book, you’ll get 6-8 servings
3. Watermelon Cooler
Watermelon is literally the fruit of summer! Apart from having powerful antioxidant properties which are good for your cardiovascular system, it is really good for weight loss and cleanses your kidneys of ammonia and uric acid. Try this cool recipe for a minerals and vitamins packed drink.
Ingredients
- 3 cups watermelon cubes, deseeded
- 1 small piece of ginger
- ½ tsp of sweet basil seeds
- Mint leaves
Directions
- Add the watermelon cubes along with the ginger, basil seeds and mint leaves in a blender
- Blend till the ingredients have mixed well and are smooth
- Pour in a jar filled with ice cubes and add mint leaves for garnishing
4. Orange Energy Drink
This citric, electrolyte drink is a must if you’re planning to stay fit this summer. This makes for a good pre and post workout drink. You can even drink this before and/or after your morning jog. It revitalizes you and gives you the much needed energy.
Ingredients
- 1 quart water
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 cups orange juice
- Juice from 1 lemon
Directions
- Boil half a cup of water
- Remove from heat and add the honey and sea salt.
- Stir the mix till dissolved
- Pour the remaining water in a pitcher, add the honey water, orange and lemon juice
- Stir till all the ingredients have mixed
- Refrigerate till it is cold enough to your liking
5. Jal Jeera
This classic drink is really popular with the masses. It is usually served before a meal as it aids digestion. If your stomach is upset, drink this juice to get rid of it quickly. As it is rich in iron and vitamin C, it will not only keep you cool but healthy as well.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tbsp chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp dry roasted and powdered cumin seeds
- Pinch of asafetida (hing)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black salt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp seedless tamarind
- 2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup crushed ice
Directions
- Blend all the spices into paste using just enough water to blend
- Strain the spicy mix to squeeze all the spicy water out. Discard the remainder
- Add water and mix it thoroughly
- Pour it in a jar filled with crushed ice
There you have it! 5 drinks that will keep you cool this summer. Do you have a drink that keeps you cool during summers? Share it with us in the comments below.
