4 Refreshing Drinks to Try This Summer
There’s nothing quite like an ice cold beverage to help cool you off on a hot summer day. But we know what you’re thinking … a lot of the popular summertime beverages are loaded with sugar and calories. No worries! You can ditch the milkshakes and expensive coffeehouse coolers with these four healthy refreshing drinks that are low in sugar, fat and calories!
Orange Pomegranate Spritzer
Pomegranates are an antioxidant-rich superfood that is also high in Vitamin C. This recipe combines pomegranate juice, orange juice and sparkling water for a refreshing and healthy summertime spritzer.
Combine the following ingredients in a tall glass:
- 60mL chilled pomegranate juice
- 60mL chilled orange juice
- 1 cup chilled sodium-free club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
Summertime refreshment tip: Chill your beverage ingredients before mixing. This allows you to enjoy your drink without the addition of ice that can dilute the flavors or flatten the fizz. Curves Nutrition Program: counts as 1 Fruit Exchange.
Iced Vanilla Coffee with Almond Milk
You don’t have to give up the rich full flavors of your favourite ice cream drinks. Here’s a great recipe for iced coffee that will satisfy your cravings without packing on the calories.
Combine the following ingredients and serve over ice:
- 1 cup chilled vanilla-flavoured brewed coffee
- 60mL plain unsweetened almond milk
- Sugar-free sweetener to taste
Summertime refreshment tip: When making iced coffee beverages from scratch, try using flavoured coffee beans. This will add another dimension of flavor without the extra calories.
Raspberry Mint Slushy
Slushies are a quintessential favourite for cooling off on a hot summer day. This combination of raspberry and mint is reminiscent of poolside refreshment at a luxury resort.
- Pour a can of low/no-kilojoule raspberry soda into an ice cube tray. Freeze.
- Using a mortar and pestle, thoroughly crush four spearmint leaves.
- Combine the frozen raspberry cubes and the crushed mint into a heavy-duty blender and blend on high until ice pieces are small enough to easily pass through a straw.
- Pour into a tall glass, garnish with a few whole fresh raspberries and serve.
Summertime refreshment tip: Instead of using mint to garnish your ice tea or lemonade try substituting a sprig of sweet basil. Before garnishing, use a toothpick to prick the basil leaves several times. This releases the fragrant oils and ensures you enjoy the full benefit of its summertime bouquet.
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
This recipe combines the refreshing taste of a classic strawberry lemonade with the festive feel of bubbly.
- Thoroughly wash the outside of a lemon and slice in half. Juice one half of the lemon and slice the other half into wheels and set aside.
- Slice 2-3 strawberries and set aside.
- Pour 1 cup of sparkling water, half a teaspoon of sugar substitute and lemon juice into a glass and stir well. Add lemon and strawberry slices.
- Let mixture sit for 10-15 minutes so the flavours of the fruits mix. Add ice and serve.
Summertime refreshment tip: Sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar-free sweetener on a lemon wedge. Fill your glass with your favourite summertime beverage and then use the lemon wedge to coat the rim of your glass before serving. This trick adds a refreshing taste and aroma to every sip.
