Beat the Heat: 7 Healthy Homemade Drinks to Refresh You This Summer!

Summer is here, and with it comes the relentless heat that leaves us reaching for something cool and refreshing. Too often, we find ourselves grabbing packaged juices and cold drinks that offer momentary relief but can take a toll on our health in the long run. But fear not! In this article, we’ll explore seven homemade, healthy drinks that will not only quench your thirst but also nourish your body. Get ready to beat the heat with these refreshing and nutritious summer beverages!

(Photo edited from Canva)

1. Cucumber Cooler

Cucumber cooler is incredibly hydrating and helps in reducing body heat. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that rejuvenate your skin and body. Additionally it helps in reducing body fat as well. Thus if you are looking to decrease your weight this summer, this drink is worth trying for you.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• A few mint leaves
• 1 cup cold water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend the cucumber, lemon juice, honey, and mint leaves with cold water until smooth.
2. Strain the mixture into a glass.
3. Add ice cubes and garnish with a mint leaf.

2. Watermelon Mint Cooler

Watermelon is a hydrating fruit that is rich in vitamins A and C. Mint adds a refreshing taste and aids digestion. This drink is worth trying for those who wants to get instant hydration in their body.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon, cubed and deseeded
• A handful of mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend the watermelon, mint leaves, lemon juice, and honey until smooth.
2. Strain into a glass and add ice cubes.
3. Garnish with mint leaves or a small watermelon wedge.

3. Lassi

Lassi is a traditional Indian yogurt-based drink that helps cool the body and improve digestion. It’s rich in probiotics, calcium, and protein which makes it a very healthy drink as well.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend the yogurt, water, sugar, and cardamom powder until frothy.
2. Pour into a glass over ice cubes.
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of cardamom powder or a few saffron strands.

4. Bel Sharbat

Bel fruit (wood apple) is known for its cooling properties and aids in digestion. It’s also beneficial for skin health and helps in reducing heat strokes. Bel/Wood apple’s juice is hands down one of the best drink for summers.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe bel fruit
• 1 tablespoon jaggery or sugar
• 1 cup cold water
• A pinch of black salt
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Break the bel fruit and scoop out the pulp.
2. Soak the pulp in water for a few hours.
3. Strain the mixture and mix in jaggery or sugar and black salt.
4. Pour into a glass with ice cubes and serve chilled.

5. Mango Panna

Mango panna is a tangy and sweet drink made from raw mangoes. It is rich in vitamins C and A, helps in preventing dehydration, and boosts immunity. If you are looking for a tangy and sweet drink this summer, then it is for you.

Ingredients:

• 2 raw mangoes
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
• A pinch of black salt
• Mint leaves for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Boil the mangoes in water until they are soft. Let them cool.
2. Remove the pulp and blend with sugar, cumin powder, and black salt.
3. Add water to the mixture to achieve desired consistency.
4. Serve chilled with ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves.

6. Rose Water/Sharbat

Rose water has cooling properties and is good for the skin. It helps in maintaining hydration levels and has a calming effect on the mind.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons rose syrup or rose water
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Rose petals for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix rose syrup or rose water with cold water and sugar.
2. Pour over ice cubes in a glass.
3. Garnish with rose petals for an extra touch.

7. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is an excellent drink for cooling down the body. It is rich in probiotics, which improve digestion and boost the immune system.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup cold water
• A pinch of black salt
• 1/4 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
• A few chopped mint leaves
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Blend the yogurt and water until smooth.
2. Add black salt, roasted cumin powder, and chopped mint leaves.
3. Pour into a glass over ice cubes.
4. Garnish with a sprinkle of cumin powder and mint leaves.

Conclusion

These seven refreshing and cooling homemade drinks are not only easy to make but also packed with health benefits. They help keep your body hydrated, cool, and nourished during the hot summer months. As dehydration is very common in summers, incorporating these delicious beverages into your daily routine will help you to stay refreshed and healthy all day long! During these days your body don’t need solid food but needs more liquid, hence having these drinks can make you feel much comfortable and cool, it may also provide you the nourishment for coping up with this extreme climate.