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:
- 2 oz. chilled pomegranate juice
- 2 oz. chilled orange juice
- 8 oz. 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 favorite 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:
- 8 oz. chilled vanilla-flavored brewed coffee
- 2 oz. plain unsweetened almond milk
- Sugar-free sweetener to taste
Summertime refreshment tip: When making iced coffee beverages from scratch, try using flavored coffee beans. This will add another dimension of flavor without the extra calories.
Raspberry Mint Slushy
Slushies are a quintessential favorite 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-calorie 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.
Cherry Limeade Fizz
This recipe combines the refreshing taste of a classic cherry limeade with the festive feel of bubbly.
- Thoroughly wash the outside of a lime and cut it into six segments. Squeeze the juice of two segments into a tall glass and then drop in the lime peels as well.
- Follow package instructions for one serving of powdered low/no calorie cherry limeade drink mix, substituting sodium-free club soda for the water.
- Add the soda mixture to the limes and stir well.
- Add ice and serve.
Summertime refreshment tip: Sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar-free sweetener on a lime wedge. Fill your glass with your favorite summertime beverage and then use the lime wedge to coat the rim of your glass before serving. This trick adds a refreshing taste and aroma to every sip.
