15 Healthy Summer Drink Recipes

By Health.com
June 01, 2016
Bryan Gardner; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shaprio
Cool down with these refreshing summer beverages.
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Summer drink recipes

Hot summer days call for refreshing drinks. Whip up these family- and figure-friendly summer beverages for a sweet way to cool down. Light, bright and refreshing, they're just what you'll want in your glass when the weather heats up.

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Jalapeño-Ginger Spritz

Try this recipe: Jalapeño-Ginger Spritz

Ginger beer and jalapeño join forces for a tropical drink with a kick, and it's as good to warm you up on a cool fall day as it is refreshing on those long summer evenings. 

Ingredients: fresh lime juice, jalapeño, crushed ice, naturally sweetened ginger beer, club soda

Calories: 32

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Strawberry-Basil Lemon Fizz

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapario

Try this recipe: Strawberry-Basil Lemon Fizz

Whether it's the last sprigs leftover from meal prep or you just had a great season in your home garden, this tasty drink is a great way to put that unused basil to work before it wilts. 

Ingredients: fresh strawberries, fresh basil leaves, honey, lemon kombucha, ice cubes

Calories: 44

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Grapefruit Elderflower Cooler

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapario

Try this recipe: Grapefruit Elderflower Cooler

While this refreshing concoction may be also be great with a splash (or two!) of gin, it's just as amazing served as a mocktail. 

Ingredients: elderflower tonic water, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, club soda, ice cubes, lime wedges

Calories: 40

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Peach-Thyme Iced Tea

Jennifer Causey

Try this recipe: Peach-Thyme Iced Tea

So sweet! You'll need about 8 medium fresh peaches to get the 6 cups of slices in this recipe.

Ingredients: Honey, fresh thyme, fresh or frozen peach slices, black tea bags, lemon juice, bourbon (optional), thyme sprigs and lemon slices for garnish

Calories: 168

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Watermelon Slushie

Jennifer Causey

Try this recipe: Watermelon Slushie

Did you know? Watermelon is 92 percent water (hence the name!), so it's super hydrating.

Ingredients: Seedless watermelon cubes, fresh lime juice, honey, jalapeño, silver tequila (optional), mint sprigs and watermelon wedge for garnish

Calories: 126

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Cucumber, Fennel, and Lemon Spritzer

Jennifer Causey

Try this recipe: Cucumber, Fennel, and Lemon Spritzer

If you don't care for the licorice taste of fennel, omit it and add another cucumber.

Ingredients: Cucumbers, large fennel bulb, club soda, honey, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, limoncello (optional), lemon-peel strips and small fennel fronds for garnish

Calories: 75

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Berry-Lime Liquado

Quentin Bacon

Try this recipe: Berry-Lime Liquado

Buzz fiber-rich berries up in the blender for a refreshing Mexican-style agua fresca.

Ingredients: Strawberries, blueberries, ice, water, limes, agave nectar, fresh mint

Calories: 294 (approximate)

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Homemade Ginger Ale

Istockphoto

Try this recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale

Get that same crisp taste as store-bought versions (and half the calories) with this simple recipe. Combining a simple syrup made with fresh ginger and club soda will satisfy even the strongest soda craving.

Ingredients: Sugar, ginger, water, club soda, candied ginger pieces

Calories: 72

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Raspberry Lemonade

Ben Fink

Try this recipe: Raspberry Lemonade

Raspberries will add just the slightest tangy flavor to the tart lemonade. If you’re looking for a sweeter flavor, use strawberries instead.

Ingredients: Lemon juice, sugar, raspberry purée, ice cubes

Calories: 114

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Pressed Watermelon With Basil Water

Try this recipe: Pressed Watermelon With Basil Water

Quench your thirst with this simple drink. At under 50 calories, it makes a light addition to any grilled dish.

Ingredients: Watermelon, basil leaves, sea salt, white wine vinegar, water

Calories: 46

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Pomegranate Lemonade

Istockphoto

Try this recipe: Pomegranate Lemonade

This lemonade really packs a punch with the combination of sour lemon juice and tart pomegranate juice. Plus making homemade lemonade means you control the sugar.

Ingredients: Sugar, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, water, ice

Calories: 75

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Limeade

Ralph Anderson

Try this recipe: Limeade

This tart alternative to lemonade is absolutely delicious with a Mexican meal. Plus, at a little over 100 calories per serving, this drink is much more diet-friendly than a margarita.

Ingredients: Water, sugar, lime rind, lime juice, ice water

Calories: 106 (for 8 ounces)

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Hibiscus Iced Tea With Peaches

Ryan Benyi

Try this recipe: Hibiscus Iced Tea With Peaches

Tea is a low-cal (and antioxidant-packed) way to cool down. And adding fresh peaches provides a refreshing fruity flavor.

Ingredients: Sugar, lemon juice, warm water, hibiscus tea bags, peaches, cold water

Calories: 115

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Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea

James Baigrie
Make tea time something to look forward to with this tart drink. And not only is pomegranate juice delicious, but it may also have cardiovascular health benefits.

Ingredients: Boiling water, tea bags, pomegranate juice, limes, sugar

Calories: 59 (approximate)

Try this recipe: Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea
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Minty Melon Slushy

Bryan Gardner; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shaprio

Try this recipe: Minty Melon Slushy

Fruit, sparkling water, and fresh mint leaves make this slushy incredibly refreshing.

Ingredients: Honeydew, sparkling water, mint, lime juice, raw honey, salt

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Mango-Pineapple-Ginger Slushy

Bryan Gardner; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shaprio

Try this recipe: Mango-Pineapple-Ginger Slushy

Fresh ginger gives this fruity slushy unexpected flavor.

Ingredients: Frozen mango chunks, fresh pineapple chunks, sparkling water, fresh ginger, raw honey, pinch of salt

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Strawberry-Vanilla Slushy

Bryan Gardner; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shaprio

Try this recipe: Strawberry-Vanilla Slushy

If you like strawberry daiquiris, you'll love this healthier mocktail version. Fresh lemon juice, frozen strawberries, and raw honey give the summer drink subtle sweetness without being too overpowering.

Ingredients: Frozen strawberries, sparkling water, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, raw honey, pinch of salt

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Peach Slushy

Bryan Gardner; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Mindi Shaprio

Try this recipe: Peach Slushy

Turn sweet summer fruit into a refreshing homemade slushy with this easy-to-make, five-ingredient recipe.

Ingredients: Frozen peach wedges, sparkling water, orange juice, raw honey, pinch of salt

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