As the sun shines brighter and the weather gets hotter, being dehydrated is so not on my summer bucket list. Drinking plenty of water is essential in order to endure those sweltering July days, but sometimes switching it up with an alternative beverage made with ingredients you probably already have in your house is a yummy way to keep things interesting!
Here is a list of 4 easy-to-make, nonalcoholic summer beverages to help you beat the heat!
1. Strawberry Basil Cooler.
Blend 1 cup of fresh strawberries with the juice of 1/2 lemon, sugar (varies depending on desired sweetness; I used about 1/4 cup), and 2 large basil leaves on high for about 45 seconds. Add about one cup of water, and blend again. Stir in another cup of cold water. Pour over ice, add basil and a strawberry for garnish, and serve! Serves about 2.
2. Bubbly Mint Limeade.
Put 2/3 cup of water, 2/3 cup of sugar, and a bunch of mint leaves in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until the mixture comes to a boil, and let it boil for about a minute. Reduce the heat, and let cool. Remove the mint leaves and refrigerate until very cold. Pour over ice, about 3/4 of the glass. Fill the remaining 1/4 with seltzer water. Sprinkle finely chopped mint leaves to garnish!
3. Espresso Granita.
Start by making 2 cups of espresso. While the espresso is still hot, add 2 cups of sugar (or less, as desired) and stir until sugar dissolves. Pour into a baking sheet and freeze for about 1 hour. Stir the espresso with a fork, cover the baking sheet, and place back into the freezer for another 2 hours. Scrape the espresso off of the sheet with a fork, place into glass, and serve!
4. Honey Peach Slush.
Blend 1 cup of frozen peaches, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 cup of water on high for about a minute. Add about 4 ice cubes, and blend again on high for another minute. Top with frozen peaches, and serve with a spoon!
