Whether you’re enjoying an outdoor event, working hard in the yard or having supper on the deck, you can quench your thirst this summer (and still eat healthy) with these cool beverages.
When the weather warms up and you’re active out in the heat, you need to stay hydrated. While there’s nothing wrong with plain ol’ water, we have a few suggestions to help you bring a little more taste to your glass. Consider these alternatives for your cocktail, mocktail, juice or tea.
Best of all, you can sip without guilt, since these are skinny versions of summer favorites, with less sugar and fewer calories to keep you on track with your eating plan.
Kombucha Tea
Kombucha is fermented tea beverage, a great substitute for a summer sweet tea. It’s good for you because of the probiotics that come from the addition of something called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). You’ve probably seen it floating around inside pickle jars or apple cider vinegar.
Kombucha is a little tart and fizzy. You can brew your own at home, but there are plenty of tasty and wholesome brands on the market now to make things easier. Some popular choices are GT’s Enlightened Organic Raw Kombucha and Brew Doctor Kombucha.
Watermelon Fizz Mocktail
Watermelon is called watermelon because it’s 92% water. Sweet, pink and juicy, this fruit makes the perfect mash for a summer “mocktail,” which is a lot like a cocktail, but has no alcohol.
DIRECTIONS:
To bring the tropical south-of-the-border feeling right through your straw, try this one with the herbal addition of cilantro leaves. Mix up the following ingredients in a blender:
- 1 cup of cubed, seeded watermelon
- 1/3 pure coconut water
- 1 tsp. of honey
- 1 – 2 sprigs of fresh cilantro
- A big squeeze of fresh lime
- A handful of crushed ice
Crushed Grapefruit Vodka Soda
DIRECTIONS:
Simply muddle two slices of fresh grapefruit at the bottom of your glass. Add your jigger of vodka and top with seltzer water. If you’re feeling fancy, throw in a few fresh mint leaves while you muddle, and rim your glass with a bit of salt, too.