Making Some Cold Drinks, 8 Drink Recipes

Making Some Cold Drinks

How to make some cold drinks to quench your thirst on a hot day? As the weather gets warmer, it’s important to stay hydrated. One way to do that is to drink plenty of water, but sometimes it’s nice to mix things up with a cold, refreshing drink. Here are some simple recipes for making some cold drinks that are perfect for a hot day. At the end of the article, you will also find some tips to make your drinks more delicious.

Cold Drink Recipes

The main advantage of creating both hot and cold drinks at home is that you can create special flavors and blends. The possibilities are endless, from non-alcoholic, flavored fruit drinks to highly spiced, mulled party punches.

■ Iced Tea

Iced tea is a classic summer drink that’s easy to make at home. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

• 6 tea bags
• 8 cups of water
• Sugar or honey to taste (optional)
• Lemon slices (optional)

Instructions:

1- Boil the water and add the tea bags.
2- Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer.
3- Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
4- Transfer the tea to a pitcher and add sugar or honey to taste, if desired.
5- Add lemon slices for extra flavor, if desired.
6- Chill in the refrigerator until cold.

Tip: You can also try using different types of tea, such as green tea or herbal tea, for a different flavor.

■ Lemonade

Lemonade is another classic summer drink that’s easy to make at home. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

• 6-8 lemons
• 1 cup of sugar
• 8 cups of water
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1- Juice the lemons and strain the juice to remove any pulp or seeds.
2- In a pitcher, mix together the lemon juice, sugar, and water until the sugar is dissolved.
3- Add ice cubes to the pitcher to chill the lemonade.
4- Add mint leaves for extra flavor, if desired.

Tip: You can also try using other citrus fruits, such as limes or oranges, for a different flavor.

■ Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to cool down on a hot day and get some fruit into your diet. Here’s a basic recipe for making a smoothie:

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 cup of frozen fruit (such as berries, mango, or pineapple)
• 1/2 cup of yogurt
• 1/2 cup of milk or juice

Instructions:

1- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
2- Blend until smooth.
3- Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Tip: You can add additional ingredients to your smoothie, such as spinach, kale, or protein powder, to make it even more nutritious.

■ Iced Coffee

If you’re a coffee lover, you don’t have to give up your favorite drink just because it’s hot outside. Here’s how to make iced coffee at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Ice cubes
• Sugar or sweetener to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1- Brew a cup of coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
2- Pour the coffee into a glass filled with ice cubes.
3- Add milk and sugar or sweetener to taste, if desired.
4- Stir and enjoy!

Tip: You can also try adding flavorings to your iced coffee, such as vanilla extract or cocoa powder.

■ Watermelon Agua Fresca

Agua fresca is a popular Mexican drink that is perfect for a hot day. Here’s how to make watermelon agua fresca:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of watermelon chunks, seeded
• 2.5 cups of water
• Juice of 1 lime
• Sugar or honey to taste (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1- In a blender, puree the watermelon and water until smooth.
2- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
3- Add lime juice and sugar or honey to taste, if desired.
4- Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
5- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6- Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Tip: You can also try adding a splash of sparkling water or a shot of tequila for a different twist on this classic Mexican drink. Enjoy!

■ Mango Lassi

Mango lassi is a refreshing Indian drink that’s perfect for a hot day. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped mango
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Sugar or honey to taste (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1- Combine the mango, yogurt, milk, and sugar or honey in a blender.
2- Blend until smooth.
3- Add ice cubes and blend again.
4- Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Tip: You can also try adding cardamom or saffron for extra flavor.

■ Sparkling Fruit Punch

Sparkling fruit punch is a fun and fizzy drink that’s perfect for a summer party. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of pineapple juice
• 2 cups of orange juice
• 2 cups of cranberry juice
• 2 cups of lemon-lime soda
• Ice cubes
• Sliced fruit for garnish (such as oranges, lemons, or strawberries)

Instructions:

1- In a large pitcher, combine the pineapple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
2- Add ice cubes and sliced fruit.
3- Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soda and stir gently.
4- Serve in glasses with additional sliced fruit for garnish.

Tip: You can also try using different juices or sodas for a different flavor.

■ Iced Matcha Latte

Iced matcha latte is a refreshing and healthy drink that’s perfect for a hot day. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of matcha powder
• 1/2 cup of hot water
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Honey or sweetener to taste (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1- In a small bowl, whisk the matcha powder and hot water together until smooth.
2- Pour the matcha mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
3- Add milk and honey or sweetener to taste, if desired.
4- Stir and enjoy!

Tip: You can also try adding vanilla extract or coconut milk for extra flavor.

Conclusion:

These are just a few examples of cold drinks you can make at home to quench your thirst on a hot day. With a little creativity and experimentation, you can come up with your own favorite recipes using different fruits, juices, and flavors. Remember to stay hydrated and enjoy your delicious and refreshing drinks!

Tips to Make Your Cold Drinks More Delicious:

• Fruit and vegetable juices are hard to beat for their nutrients and fresh flavor. If you enjoy fresh juices, an electric juicer is a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, keep a variety of pre-made juices on hand to mix and match flavors and create refreshing drinks at any time of the day.
• Make the flavor of plain fruit juice more interesting by adding a few drops of orange flower water or rosewater. Stir the juice thoroughly before serving.
• If you are making apple juice in an electric juicer, add a handful of red fruits such as strawberries or raspberries to give the juice a rosy glow and add flavor.
• Instead of discarding the high-fiber pulp left behind after pressing juice, use it in your cooking to add flavor. Add carrot or celery pulp to soups or bread, and include apple or peach pulp in fruit cake recipes.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice when pressing apples or pears to keep their color and prevent them from turning brown.
• Use scallions as edible swizzle sticks. Trim the root ends and the tops of the leaves – leaving some green for color – just before serving to release flavor.
• To pep up the flavor of vegetable juice, rub a cut clove of garlic around the inside of a glass or pitcher before adding the juice, or add a pinch of garlic or celery salt.
• Improve the flavor and color of plain vegetable juices by adding chopped fresh herbs. Try basil, parsley, or lovage in tomato juice, and use tarragon or coriander in carrot juice.
• To make a refreshing summer drink, add chunks of fresh fruit to fresh fruit juice, half-fill tall tumblers, and top of the juice with soda or sparkling mineral water.
• Instead of using ice to chill juices, freeze fresh fruits such as grapes or lemon slices. Add these to drinks just before serving to chill and decorate.