These Are The Healthy & Refreshing Drinks To Make This Weekend

What does dazzling sunlight, blistering heat & dehydrating high temperature demand for? Certainly, a refreshing and thirst quenching drink; something that helps you replenish your fluids during summer and yet makes you fall in love with its delightful taste!

-by Mehvish Waqar

1. Cucumber Mint Lemonade
   

   Cucumber Mint Lemonade via The Jewels of New York

•  Cut one medium sized peeled cucumber into smaller chunks and blend this with 1 cup of water.
• Place a fine-mesh strainer over a jug and pour the cucumber juice through it. Discard the pulp.
• In the jug, add lemon juice (approx. 4 lemons), sugar (or honey), mint leaves and 3 cups cold water.
• Give it a good stir and let it sit in the fridge to chill. Serve over ice.

Starting off with the basics, this is a classic summer drink which never seems to get old. It offers a great taste in addition to an abundance of nutrients, hence making itself an all-time favorite. Cucumbers are a good source of vitamin K, anti-oxidants and potassium. Lemon offers a boost of vitamin C, citric acid, B-complex vitamins and potassium.

2. Orangeade

Orangeade via Godiche

•  Mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat until the sugar has melted and a syrup is formed.
• Squeeze 1 lemon and 7-8 oranges.
• Combine syrup, orange juice, about 4 cups of water and 1-2 cups of ice in a closed lid pitcher.
• Chill for at least an hour. Serve over ice.

This drink gives an interesting twist to the original lemonade by adding a hint of orange-y flavor to it. This combination is extremely refreshing. An ideal beverage for a hot summer afternoon.

3.Watermelon Cooler Slushy

Watermelon Cooler Topped With Mint Leaves via Donna Hay

Watermelon Lime Slushy via Recipe Chart

•  Blend 4 cups of cubed seedless watermelon with ice in a blender.
• Pour in 1/3^rd cup fresh lime juice, sugar and a pinch of salt.Blend until smooth.

What can be better than a bright red chilled drink on a warm summer day? This watermelon slushy is packed with a bundle of essential nutrients including vitamin A, B6 and C. Not only that, but it also offers a significant amount of anti-oxidants and amino acids. This is an ultimate thirst-quencher and highly invigorating.

4. Cappuccino Cooler

Cappuccino Cooler Topped With Chocolate Syrup via Completely Delicious

Cappuccino Cooler via The Simplest Aphrodisiac

•  Combine coffee, chocolate ice cream and chocolate syrup in a blender.
• Blend until smooth and pour over crushed ice.
• Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.

This can be described as a great “Pick-me-up” drink. Enriched with a chocolaty flavor, a hint of coffee and a creamy smooth texture of ice cream, this possesses all the attributes of being one of your favorite summer beverages this season!

5. Cilantro Celery Juice 

Chilled Green Juice with Cucumber and Celery via Drizzle & Dip

•  In a blender add about ½ oz. of fresh ginger, 4 ounces (1 bunch) cilantro, 8 oz. Granny Smith apple (halved, cored and cut into wedges) and 12 oz. of celery.
• Add two tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
• Add ice & serve right away.

This bright green punch offers a herb-y taste from cilantro, a tangy taste from lemon, a sweet tinge from apple and adds a mild spice from ginger. The combination is absolutely amazing. Enriched with a lot of essential nutrients including vitamin A, C, E, K,Folate, & dietary fiber etc. This beverage is vegan & gluten-free.

Try these at home & have a scrumptious summer!