Summer is still here, and many people are trying to make the most of the warm days and long evenings. It's the perfect time to try new flavors and add a bit of variety to our everyday routine.
In this blog you'll find easy and refreshing recipes for summer drinks that will hydrate and cool you down.
Seasonal Lemonades
On hot summer days, there's nothing more refreshing than a glass of cold homemade lemonade. Summer is the peak season for an abundance of fruit, which makes it the perfect time to experiment with seasonal lemonades. Below you can find two easy and quick recipes for summer lemonades.
Iced Watermelon and Mint Lemonade
Ingredients
- Watermelon - 400 g
- Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp agave syrup or another sweetener
- 1 cup cold water or soda water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices
- Watermelon - for garnish
- Fresh mint
How to prepare:
Blend the watermelon into a smooth puree. For a finer drink, strain the puree through a sieve. Add lemon juice and a sweetener of your choice (honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup) and stir. Top up with cold water or soda water until you reach the desired consistency. Serve in a glass with ice, garnished with lemon slices, watermelon, and fresh mint.
Raspberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
- Raspberries - 400 g
- Water - 1 liter sparkling
- Lemons - juice of 2
- Mint - 1 handful
- Sweetener of choice
- Ice
How to prepare:
Puree the raspberries and strain them. Then add the lemon juice, sweetener, and mint leaves. Mix the blend well and leave it in the fridge for a few hours. Once you take the mixture out of the fridge, add the sparkling water and ice. Serve immediately in a glass, garnished with fresh mint leaves.
Refreshing Iced Teas
When we talk about refreshing summer drinks, we can't skip iced tea. It's a classic that never gets old and always guarantees a cool-down during the summer heat. There are countless variations and combinations for enjoying it. Below you can find recipes for a few favorites.
Iced Peach Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 black tea bags
- 100 g peach nectar
- Mint
- Peach slices
- Ice
How to prepare:
Brew the two black tea bags in 500 ml of hot water. Let it cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to a suitable pitcher. Add the peach nectar to the pitcher and stir well. Fill tall glasses with ice and pour in the finished iced tea. Garnish with a few peach slices and fresh mint.
Iced Berry Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 hibiscus tea bags
- 100 g mixed berries of your choice (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp sweetener of choice
- Ice
How to prepare:
Brew the hibiscus tea bags in 500 ml of hot water, then let it cool well. In a pitcher, lightly crush some of the berries to release their aroma. Add the cooled tea, lime juice, and sweetener of choice. Mix well. Serve in tall glasses with ice, adding the remaining berries. Finish with a sprig of mint if you like.
Hydrating Smoothies
In summer it's extremely important to stay well hydrated, and smoothies are an excellent and delicious way to achieve that. They let us combine our favorite fruits and vegetables into one easy-to-make drink. Here are a few ideas for summery, refreshing smoothies:
Chocolate-Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 4-5 ice cubes
How to prepare:
Put all the ingredients – cocoa powder, banana, milk, honey (or maple syrup), and ice cubes – into a blender. Blend until smooth and well combined. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. If you like, sprinkle with grated chocolate for extra flavor.
Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
How to prepare:
Blend all the ingredients until smooth and well combined. Pour into a glass and serve immediately. For a colder drink, you can use frozen fruit or add a few ice cubes.
We hope these easy summer recipes help you enjoy every warm day ahead. Whether you choose a seasonal lemonade, a refreshing iced tea, or a fruity smoothie, each of these drinks is a wonderful way to stay hydrated and energized. RealFood Hydrolyzed Collagen and RealFood Collagen Complex are the perfect addition to any of them. Add one dose of collagen, and besides freshness, you'll also enjoy healthy nails, hair, and joints.
