Are you one of those people who live in tropical places with humid climates and the heat just gets to you? Well, of course, the first thing you can think of is a drink, right? Well, how about you try some of these healthy summer drinks to drown your summer sorrows away!
Iced Matcha Latte:
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 2 tbsp warm water
- Ice cubes
- 1 glass milk
- sweetener to taste
- Vanilla essence (optional)
Method:
Into a mixing bowl, add in the matcha powder and warm water and mix well until the mixer becomes frothy and then set it aside. Then fill in a glass with ice cubes up to and then add in the chilled milk over the ice. Stir in some sweetener like honey or maple syrup to taste add in vanilla essence and then top up the glass with the matcha mixture, stir well and it is ready to consume.
Masala Buttermilk :
Spiced Buttermilk to detoxify the body and flush out the toxins. Detox water can help in digestive functioning, to boost the immune system, aid weight loss and boost one’s energy levels.
It is basically yogurt where you add in different ingredients like ginger, mint, and other spices to reap the benefits of all those ingredients combined, instead of each one separately.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups Curd or Yogurt
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1 cup water (cold) or as needed
- 2 tablespoon mint leaves
- 1/2 inch ginger
- 1/4 tsp crushed peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon black salt or regular salt, add as required
Recipe :
In a blender, add the curd, roasted cumin powder, mint leaves, water, and salt. Blend for 2 to 3 minutes, until the ingredients are combined and the curd has been mixed well. You should see a nice frothy foamy layer with a bit of butter fat separated from the blending. Pour in glasses. Garnish with mint leaves or coriander leaves and serve immediately. You can also place the buttermilk in the refrigerator to make it cold. Then serve later.
Ginger Lemonade:
Ginger is an often used spice that contains the compound called gingerol which has multiple medicinal benefits in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It can help reduce oxidative stress and help fight free radicals in the body. Lemon is rich in vitamin C and contains antioxidants that can protect the body from diseases. It can also promote better and glowing skin.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh ginger ( about 5 inch)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon water
Recipe :
In a blender, add in the lemon juice and grated ginger and blend it well for a minute. Strain the juice and add in the honey as per taste. Evenly pour the juice into an ice cube tray. Freeze until solid, at least 1 hour.
To serve – Place 1 frozen cube in a mug or heatproof glass; add in hot or cold water. Serve immediately.
Horchata
A traditional Mexican drink that is made using simple ingredients yet tastes delicious. The drink has rice, cinnamon, and almonds that provide a good source of carbs, protein, and healthy nutrients for a healthy summer drink.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rice
- 1-inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- Sweetener – 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup or 1/2 cup dates ( adjust according to your taste)
Recipe :
Add rice, cinnamon sticks, and water to a blender and blend for several minutes until no more whole grain of rice can be spotted. Let steep in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight. The longer the creamier your horchata will end up being.
In the morning, add milk, vanilla, and maple syrup and give it a quick blend in a blender to mix well. Strain the milk through a sieve and/or nut-milk bag to remove most or all of the pulp. Serve over ice and sprinkle with a little ground cinnamon if you like.
Cucumber Water:
Cucumber is beneficial to overall health as it can help with digestive issues; reduce stress as it has a calming effect on the body, it can also boost energy levels, and improve cognitive functioning. It keeps your skin hydrated from within for a healthy glowing skin.
How to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1-inch ginger
- 5-6 mint leaves ( optional)
Recipe :
Add cucumber and ginger along with water to a blender and blend on high. Pour it into a glass mug and add chia seeds. Set it aside for 15 mins until the chia seeds swell and enjoy the drinks. You can chill this in the fridge and then consume or else you can add in crushed ice or ice cubes to the cucumber water.
Turmeric Iced Tea
Turmeric has amazing health and beauty benefits. It also has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and multiple healing properties. Cinnamon is also known to protect our bodies from cell-damaging agents, aid in the fight against infections and many other things.
Ingredients:
- 1 green tea bag
- ¼ tsp. the ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp. honey,
- 1 cup hot water
Recipe :
In a jar, add the tea bag, cinnamon, turmeric powder. After that pour hot water into the jar. Allow for a 5-minute steeping period before removing the tea bags. Add honey and garnish with additional ground cinnamon and turmeric, if desired, and serve over ice.