With record-breaking temperatures or dry spells having been recorded in Houston, Seattle, and Southern California this summer, many apartment residents want to cool down however and whenever they can.
While you may not be able to find the time to visit the ice skating rink or your favorite frozen dessert spot on a daily basis, you should be able to at least take a few minutes to cool down with a tasty, chilled beverage in your apartment. Here are four healthy and refreshing beverages you can mix up, some of which can be made in large batches and stored in your refrigerator for later consumption.
Carrot Mango Smoothie
One cup of carrot juice, one mango, and some ice is all you need to prepare this delightful and healthy summer smoothie. Packed with beta-carotene, carrots have recently been found to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in regular consumers. Mangoes, for their part, are rich in fiber and Vitamin A. If you don’t have access to a fresh mango, frozen one works just as well for this healthy summer drink recipe, which can be found at Whole Living.
Cucumber Honeydew Coolers
Associated with summer because of its hydrating properties, cucumbers can ward off chronic illness. They also assist in weight loss efforts, aid digestion, and relieve bad breath. Honeydew melon is low in calories, loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients, promotes skin health, and rehydrates. Rachael Ray’s cucumber honeydew coolers, made from these two healthy summer ingredients, sugar, lemon juice, and ice, take little time to mix up in the blender and can cool you down in a way few other drinks can.
Iced Mint Lemon Tea
Along with lemonade, iced tea is a perennial summer beverage. If you’re going to put in the effort of making iced tea and you enjoy mint and lemon, give this Dave Lieberman recipe a shot. The fresh mint called for is rich in antioxidants and can prevent or soothe indigestion. Lemon, another skin-enhancing fruit, contains natural electrolytes and can aid in the prevention of viruses and bacterial infections.
Watermelon Agua Fresca
If Mexico had a national summer beverage, this refreshing liquid treat would probably be it. With an estimated prep time of 15 minutes, this watermelon agua fresca takes longer to prepare, but if you love watermelon, it’s totally worth it. Rich in vitamin A, C, B6, and lycopene, watermelon is another immunity boosting summer fruit that may reduce the risk of some cancers. Chilled watermelon is the primary flavor with which this drink blasts the taste buds, but hints of sugar and lime are definitely detectable and generally appreciated if you follow this recipe from Eating Well.
The next time you work up a sweat after your workout or commute home, reward yourself with a healthy summer drink designed to cool you down in addition to boosting your immunity. There are thousands of other tasty smoothies, shakes, and mocktails you can mix up for yourself in 15 minutes or less in your apartment kitchen. Don’t limit yourself. Look for drinks that sound like they were dreamed up to help you Live Life + Love Life.
What is your favorite healthy summer drink recipe? Make someone else’s day by sharing it below!
View All Posts by Jason Ernst