Four Delicious Summer Refreshments to Keep Cool
With warmer summer days approaching, switching to cool, tasty refreshments will keep energy up and the heat down. Each of the drinks has cooling fruits and herbs so it’s best to make and
consume these on the hotter summer days. To make the following recipes, you will need a good vita mixer or power blender and, if you like your refreshments without bits of fruit, then
putting the liquid through a strainer would be a good idea. In every case, be sure to have some
mineral water on hand so you can thin the fluid to your liking. Stevia and Monkfruit are excellent sweeteners if you find the natural flavors to not excite your taste buds.
Here are the drinks and recipes:
“Tummy Tamer”
Aloe, Mint, Papaya and Pineapple:
Ingredients:
3 mint teabags
1 1/2 to 2 cups of water
1/2 to 1 cup of papaya
1/2 to 1 cup of pineapple
1/4 cup aloe juice (preferably organic)
Stevia or Monkfruit to taste
Water as needed
Directions:
Make a strong mint tea with three tea bags to every 1 1/2 to 2 cups of boiling water. Take the papaya and pineapple and blend them in mixer with enough water to make the mixture smooth and watery. Once the tea cools, mix the juice and tea into a container with a lid. Add 1/4 cup of aloe juice (preferably an organic juice) and mix all ingredients together. (If needed, run through strainer for better consistency). Add Stevia or Monkfruit to sweeten to taste. Or honey if you prefer.
If you can’t find good flavored papaya, substitute the papaya with pineapple.
*Keep in mind that aloe has a slightly bitter flavor that may detract from the natural sweetness of the papaya and pineapple.
“Clear Focus”
Matcha Spearmint Basil:
Ingredients:
3 bags of spearmint tea
1 1/2 to 2 cups of water
1 1/2 tsp of matcha powder
1 1/2 to 2 cups of water
4 to 5 leaves of basil
Directions:
For this one, make 2 separate teas one with spearmint and the other with the matcha using boiling water, making sure the matcha tea is stirred well to avoid clumps. Once both teas are cold mix them on a blender adding the basil leaves and blend.
If needed, strain for better consistency.
Sweeten with the stevia or monk fruit to taste. Or honey if you prefer.
“Vitamin C Punch”
Lemon Orange Grapefruit Acerola Zapper
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lemons
3 oranges
2 grapefruits
1 tbsp acerola powder
Stevia or monk fruit
Water as needed
A tart, tasty eye opener, this drink is refreshing and awakening! Take the juice from the lemons, oranges and grapefruits, put all the juices into the blender and blend very well. Strain if you prefer a smoother drink. Add a tablespoon of acerola powder and add spring water as you like. Blend again. Add Stevia or Monkfruit to taste or if you prefer honey.
“Immune Hydrater”
Raspberry Watermelon Moringa
Ingredients:
2 pints of raspberries
1/4 of a medium sized watermelon
1 tbsp moringa leaf powder
Apple juice (optional)
Water as needed
Stevia or monk fruit to taste
Blend the raspberries and watermelon and moringa thoroughly. Add water or even apple juice to smooth the drink, strain if you wish for consistency. Make sure the mixture is well blended to avoid clumps with the moringa. Sweeten with stevia or monkfruit to taste or honey if you prefer. Drink and enjoy!
In all of the above refreshments, it’s always best to drink them right after being prepared and make them fresh every time. They help make the summer healthful and tasty too. Typically ice is not recommended since it “cools the spleen” and makes digestion sluggish. But, it’s hard to resist a cold drink on very hot days. The key is moderation!
Stephanie Schneider LAc, Dipl. OM, CH
