14 Cool Drinks for Hot Summer Days
These refreshing summer sips will quench your thirst and please your palate.
These refreshing summer sips will quench your thirst and please your palate.
Lemonade
Nothing tastes more like summer than a refreshing glass of lemonade. Make a pitcher to cool off or for your kids' lemonade stand. For adult parties, try spiked lemonade: Muddle 3 tablespoons of fresh mint in a tumbler. Add ice, 1 ounce rum, and 3/4 cup lemonade.
Recipe: Lemonade
Iced Fruit Punch
Freeze fruit juices in ice-tray molds in festive shapes. As the juice cubes melt, their flavors mingle to form a refreshing drink. Choose juices in a range of colors and flavors. Our favorites include orange, pineapple, grape, cranberry, and lemon.
Recipe: Iced Fruit Punch
Kombucha
Kombucha is having such a moment, and now you can brew the drink du jour from home. Just remember to be patient!
Recipe: Kombucha
Raspberry Spritzer
Skip the sugar-laden sodas on hot and steamy days. Instead, try this refreshing and low-calorie alternative.
Recipe: Raspberry Spritzer
Mint Tisane
There's nothing like the soothing digestive qualities of an herbal tea. Use fresh mint alone or in combination with lemon verbena.
Recipe: Mint Tisane
Watermelon Agua Fresca
This delicious drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much fruit, not too much sugar, just a beautiful way to quench your thirst on a summer day.
Recipe: Watermelon Agua Fresca
Strawberry Lemonade
Add strawberries to lemonade for a fruity twist on a classic summer drink. Use homemade lemonade or a sugar-free store-bought version.
Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade
Cranberry and Ginger Tea Punch
Treat guests at your next outdoor party to this inviting drink. Cranberry-raspberry and orange juices blend perfectly with ginger tea and tart lemon juice.
Recipe: Cranberry and Ginger Tea Punch
Limeade
Limeade served in a full-bottomed pitcher easily accommodates a pretty garnish. Make the garnish tasty, too, using fruit-flavored ice cubes. Cut up the fruit of a honeydew melon into 1-inch pieces, puree in a food processor, strain, and freeze in ice cube trays overnight. Also try pureed watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi, and mango.
Recipe: Limeade
Haymaker's Ginger Switchel
This ginger punch is flavored with lemon juice and sweetened with honey and molasses for a refreshing drink that quenches even the fiercest thirst.
Recipe: Haymaker's Ginger Switchel
Berry Lemonade
We added sweet raspberries and blackberries to traditional lemonade to create this beverage, perfect for summer gatherings. Add muddled fresh mint for an alternate twist.
Recipe: Berry Lemonade
Watermelon Slushie
We combined antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice with fresh watermelon and ice to create this ruby-red slushie.
Recipe: Watermelon Slushie
Mango-Peach Fizz
This tasty treat is bubbling with tropical flavor! Keep it kid-friendly with club soda or seltzer.
Recipe: Mango-Peach Fizz
Pineapple Cooler
Floral-scented herbs, such as lavender and lemon verbena, add subtle depth to fruit ades and iced tea. Here we add them to a pitcher of fresh pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar.
Recipe: Pineapple Cooler
White Iced Tea
This simple recipe sweetens white iced tea with a bit of sugar. Create your own signature iced tea by trying this recipe with fresh herbs, such as rosemary, lavender, or mint.
Recipe: White Iced Tea
