It’s time to stay hydrated, my friends.
I don’t really get tired of drinking water anymore…. like… ever, but it’s soooo nice to switch things up a little, once in a while! If I don’t have enough time to make fresh juice (which I love making, but… sometimes I don’t feel like spending 30 minutes, assembling the juicer and using up a ton of oranges for a glass of juice.. not to mention the cleanup- fresh juice is more of a Sunday morning type of thing for me these days) I love making a healthier version of lemonade or infusing my water with herbs.
I’m known for always trying to make everyone I know give up on soda (my husband loves giving me puppy eyes when we get groceries, while holding little cans of Ginger Ale) so if you’re trying to cut back on those soft drinks, “dressing up” your water is a great way to quench that thirst, while cutting out all that sugar and caffeine. Today I’m sharing five of my favorite water-based drinks that I love to make on those hot summer days.
5 WAYS TO DRESS UP YOUR WATER
A healthier option to your traditional lemonade made with sugar or sugar syrup, this pink lemonade is made with stevia, lemons, and raspberries. It’s sweet and tangy and it’s something I always make for our summer barbecues. Find the recipe in this post.
WATERMELON-LIME-COCONUT REFRESHER
This combo is very refreshing and really good for your skin. Coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes so this refresher is also a perfect way to cool down after an intense workout. If you don’t like natural taste of coconut water, this is a great way for you to still get those electrolytes in- it has no added sugar and the lime, watermelon and coconut combo is amazing. Find my recipe right here.
MINT, CUCUMBER, AND LIME INFUSED WATER
Another refreshing combo that’s also amazing for your skin. Mint is rich in antioxidants, it aids digestion and its smell alone can help fight depression and fatigue as it’s a natural stimulant. When mixed with water, mint leaves add an extremely refreshing flavor. Due to their mild diuretic property, cucumbers reduce cholesterol and control blood pressure- see this post to see how I make my infused water.
FRUIT AND HERB INFUSED ICE CUBES
This is probably one of my favorite ways of dressing up my water during summer. It’s so easy to do and you can just keep these in your freezer until needed- they’re also perfect for cookouts and barbecues and will make your water look all pretty and fancy. I love using rosemary, mint, raspberries, limes, lemons, and basil (lemon, lime, and basil make for a killer combo). See how I make these right here.
If you’re in need of a little dose of energy, but iced coffee is a bit much for you, try matcha. I recently talked about my matcha obsession and shared a recipe for my favorite combo (lemon, lime, mint and maple syrup) right here.
Will you be giving any of these a try? What’s your favorite summer drink?