16 Refreshing Summer Drinks | Whole Living Eat Well

Spicy Papaya Sunrise

Ice pops aren’t the only way to stay cool this summer. Check out these nonalcoholic drink recipes.

This tropical cooler helps curb cravings, thanks to papaya’s high fiber content, and is very hydrating, since watermelon is almost entirely H20.

Spicy Papaya Sunrise

Course: BeverageCuisine: Tropical

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

3/4 cup diced papaya
1 cup diced watermelon
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 red jalapeno (sliced; seeded if desired to reduce heat)
Ice
Slice of lime (for garnish)
Slice of jalapeno (for garnish)

Directions

Prepare the Ingredients: Add the diced papaya, diced watermelon, lime juice, and sliced jalapeno into a blender.
Blend until Smooth: Blend the mixture until smooth, adding ice as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Adjust Spiciness: If you prefer a milder drink, remove the seeds from the jalapeno before blending. For extra heat, leave them in.
Serve and Garnish: Pour the Spicy Papaya Sunrise into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of lime and a slice of jalapeno for an extra pop of flavor and color.
Enjoy! Sip and savor this tropical beverage with a spicy twist!

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 10mg

Michelada

This update of the traditional Mexican cocktail of beer and tomato juice substitutes kombucha tea for the cerveza.

Michelada

Course: DrinksCuisine: Mexican

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

Ingredients

1 cold Mexican lager (such as Modelo or Corona)
1/2 lime (juiced)
1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 cup tomato juice or Clamato (optional)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground black pepper
Tajín or chili powder (for rimming the glass)
Ice cubes
Lime wedge (for garnish)

Directions

Prepare the glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip the rim in Tajín or chili powder to coat.
Mix the ingredients: In the bottom of the glass, combine lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato juice (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Add ice and beer: Fill the glass with ice cubes, then slowly pour the cold Mexican lager into the glass, stirring gently.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy your Michelada immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 400mg

Citrusy Acai Fizz

Acai, a nutritional powerhouse containing essential amino acids, hails from Brazil and gives this low-sugar drink an exotic flavor.

Citrusy Acai Fizz

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon acai powder or 2 tablespoons acai puree
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 lime (juiced)
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
1 cup sparkling water (or club soda)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Citrus slices (for garnish)

Directions

Mix the base: In a glass, combine the acai powder (or puree), orange juice, lime juice, and honey (if using). Stir until well mixed.
Add ice and sparkling water: Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour in the sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh mint leaves and citrus slices for a decorative and refreshing touch. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 10mg

Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler

Cucumber is a classic cool-drink ingredient in regions where citrus has traditionally been scarce. Adding melon to the equation makes this sip especially hydrating.

Cucumber-Honeydew Cooler

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Blending time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 medium honeydew melon (peeled, seeded, and cubed)
1 cucumber (peeled and chopped)
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 cup cold water (or sparkling water for fizz)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Directions

Blend the ingredients: In a blender, combine the honeydew, cucumber, honey (if using), lime juice, and cold water. Blend until smooth.
Strain the mixture (optional): For a smoother consistency, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any pulp.
Serve: Pour the cooler over ice cubes in a glass. Add sparkling water if you prefer a fizzy drink.
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing touch and serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 15mg

Black Cherry Spritzer

Muddling pitted whole black cherries with a bit of agave helps bring out the fruit’s natural sweetness while keeping this a low-glycemic drink.

Black Cherry Spritzer

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup black cherry juice (unsweetened)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
1 cup sparkling water (or club soda)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Black cherries (for garnish)

Directions

Mix the juice and sweetener: In a glass, combine the black cherry juice, fresh lemon juice, and honey or agave syrup (if using). Stir well.
Add sparkling water: Fill the glass with ice cubes, then slowly pour in the sparkling water, stirring gently.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a few black cherries for an elegant touch. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 10mg

Muddled Ginger-Mint Lemonade

Adding ginger and mint uplifts the humble lemonade.

Muddled Ginger-Mint Lemonade

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Muddling and Mixing time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1-inch piece fresh ginger (peeled and sliced)
10 fresh mint leaves
3 lemons (juiced)
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
3 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Mint sprigs and lemon slices (for garnish)

Directions

Muddle the ginger and mint: In a large glass or pitcher, use a muddler or the back of a spoon to crush the ginger slices and mint leaves together to release their flavors.
Add lemon juice and sweetener: Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey (or agave syrup) until the honey dissolves.
Add water and ice: Pour in the cold water and mix well. Add ice cubes to chill the lemonade.
Garnish and serve: Serve in glasses over ice, garnished with fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices for a refreshing touch.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Blueberry-Pomegranate Slushy

This drink is about as disease-fighting as they come; pomegranates have plenty of immunity-boosting vitamin C, while blueberries have more antioxidant value than almost any other food.

Blueberry-Pomegranate Slushy

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
1 cup ice cubes
Fresh blueberries and mint (for garnish)

Directions

Blend the ingredients: In a blender, combine the blueberries, pomegranate juice, honey (if using), and ice cubes. Blend until smooth and slushy in texture.
Serve: Pour the slushy into a glass and garnish with fresh blueberries and mint leaves for a refreshing touch.
Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your icy cold, antioxidant-packed slushy!

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 1g
Sodium: 5mg

Chamomile Cooler

Chamomile and lemon-flavored herbs create a delicate, delightful tea. We used lemon verbena, which lends a pleasantly sweet flavor. But you can also substitute lemon balm, lemon thyme, lemon basil, or lemon-scented geranium for equally tasty variations on this light, soothing blend.

Chamomile Cooler

Course: DrinksCuisine: Herbal Beverage

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

2 chamomile tea bags
2 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon honey (optional for sweetness)
1/2 lemon (juiced)
1 cup cold water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Directions

Brew the tea: Steep the chamomile tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Add honey and lemon: Stir in the honey (if using) and fresh lemon juice to the cooled tea.
Mix with cold water: Add 1 cup of cold water to the mixture and stir well.
Serve: Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice cubes.
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch and serve chilled.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Lavender Lemonade

Citrus juice enlivens this brew while lemon zest adds depth of flavor. Use organic fruit to avoid detergents and dyes in the rind.

Lavender Lemonade

Course: BeverageCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

4 lemons (juiced)
1/2 cup dried lavender
1/2 cup raw honey
4 cups water

Directions

Prepare the lavender syrup: In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a simmer. Add the dried lavender and let it steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the mixture to remove the lavender flowers and set the lavender-infused water aside.
Sweeten the syrup: While the lavender water is still warm, stir in the raw honey until fully dissolved.
Juice the lemons: In a large pitcher, combine the juice of 4 lemons with the remaining 2 cups of water.
Mix the lemonade: Pour the lavender-honey syrup into the lemon juice mixture and stir well to combine.
Chill and serve: Refrigerate the lavender lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over ice, and garnish with lemon slices or fresh lavender sprigs if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 21g
Protein: 0g

Raspberry-Rosehip Iced Tea

Fruit juice is a great way to sweeten iced tea naturally. The raisins in this recipe also add a natural sweetness. If you can’t find raspberry juice, substitute cherry juice. For an easy berry variation, try blackberry leaves with blueberry juice.

Raspberry-Rosehip Iced Tea

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

2-3

servings

Prep time

minutes

Chilling time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

2 bags rosehip tea
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
3 cups boiling water
1 cup cold water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves and raspberries (for garnish)

Directions

Brew the tea: Steep the rosehip tea bags in 3 cups of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool slightly.
Muddle the raspberries: In a large pitcher, muddle the raspberries with honey (if using) to release their juices.
Mix and chill: Add the brewed tea and 1 cup of cold water to the pitcher with the muddled raspberries. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to chill.
Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the Raspberry-Rosehip Iced Tea over the ice.
Garnish: Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a few raspberries for a decorative touch. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

This cocktail is made with icy Moscato d’Asti, which is sweeter than Champagne but much lighter than the rich dessert wine also made from Italian moscato grapes. Just the right medium for this fizzy drink, it adds flavor to the silky pear and tart cranberries.

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup pear juice (fresh or store-bought)
1/4 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sparkling water (or champagne for an alcoholic version)
Ice cubes
Fresh cranberries and pear slices (for garnish)
Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish, optional)

Directions

Mix the juices: In a glass or cocktail shaker, combine pear juice, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. Stir or shake well to blend.
Add ice and sparkling water: Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the juice mixture over the ice. Top off with sparkling water or champagne for a bubbly touch.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh cranberries, pear slices, and a sprig of rosemary for an elegant presentation. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 23g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 10mg

Cranberry-Grapefruit Sparkler

Create sparklers using fresh, organic juices — look for ones without added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup — and sparkling mineral water. With an effervescent kick, a generous dose of vitamins, and less sugar than straight juice, they provide a healthy way to rehydrate.

Cranberry-Grapefruit Sparkler

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
1/2 cup sparkling water (or club soda)
Ice cubes
Fresh cranberries and grapefruit slices (for garnish)
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Directions

Mix the juices: In a glass, combine the cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and honey or agave syrup (if using). Stir well to mix.
Add ice and sparkling water: Fill the glass with ice cubes and top with sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently to combine.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh cranberries, grapefruit slices, and mint leaves for a festive touch. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Licorice-Mint Iced Tea

Peppermint ranks high among America’s favorite types of mint tea, but you can substitute equal amounts of any variety for this recipe. Try interesting flavors such as chocolate-mint, orange-mint, pineapple-mint, or spearmint — or combine several types for a more complex, rich brew.

Licorice-Mint Iced Tea

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Steepiing time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dried licorice root
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
4 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)

Directions

Steep the tea: In a teapot or heatproof pitcher, add the dried licorice root and fresh mint leaves. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 7-10 minutes.
Strain and sweeten: Strain the tea into a large pitcher, removing the licorice root and mint leaves. Stir in honey or agave syrup if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Chill and serve: Let the tea cool, then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to chill. Serve over ice cubes in glasses.
Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with fresh mint sprigs for a refreshing touch. Enjoy your Licorice-Mint Iced Tea chilled.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Sparking Fruit Coolers

These fruit coolers are essentially a grown-up (and far healthier) version of the sticky, sweet fruit slushes of childhood. There are so many juices and nectars available; experiment with different combinations.

Sparking Fruit Coolers

Course: DrinksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh fruit (such as berries, peaches, or watermelon)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
1 cup sparkling water (or club soda)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Extra fruit slices (for garnish)

Directions

Muddle the fruit: In a glass, muddle the fresh fruit with the lemon or lime juice and honey (if using) until the juices are released.
Add ice and sparkling water: Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour in the sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with extra fruit slices and fresh mint leaves for a beautiful presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy your Sparkling Fruit Cooler.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 13g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Frozen Lemonade

Summer’s signature drink — frozen for an optimum chill-out experience.

Frozen Lemonade

Course: BeverageCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

120

kcal

Ingredients

4 lemons, juiced
1 orange, juiced
1 lemongrass stalk, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups ice

Directions

Prepare the Lemongrass Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the chopped lemongrass, sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup to remove the lemongrass pieces and set it aside to cool.
Blend the Lemonade: In a blender, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, orange juice, honey, lemongrass syrup, and ice. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
Serve: Pour the frozen lemonade into glasses and serve immediately. Garnish with a lemon slice or fresh mint, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 28g
Protein: 1g

Carrot-Mango Smoothie

Frozen mango lends the smoothie its sweetness and smooth texture while adding vitamins B6, C, and E.

Carrot Mango Smoothie

Course: Breakfast, Snacks, BeveragesCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

160

kcal

Ingredients

1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
1 cup ripe mango, peeled and chopped (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Ice cubes (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Ingredients: Peel and chop the carrot and mango for easy blending. If using fresh mango, ensure it’s ripe for the best flavor.
Blend the Smoothie: In a blender, combine the chopped carrot, mango, orange juice, almond milk, and ground ginger. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add honey for extra sweetness, if desired.
Add Ice (Optional): For a chilled smoothie, add a few ice cubes and blend again until smooth.
Serve: Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve immediately. Enjoy this nutrient-packed Carrot Mango Smoothie as a refreshing start to your day!

Blueberry Breakfast Shake

Breakfast shakes made with blueberries and yogurt are a healthy way to start the day. In this refreshing smoothie, yogurt provides protein as well as calcium and B vitamins.

Blueberry Breakfast Shake

Course: Breakfast, SnacksCuisine: American

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup blueberries, picked over and rinsed
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons honey
5 ice cubes

Directions

In a blender, combine the blueberries, low-fat vanilla yogurt, skim milk, and honey.
Add the ice cubes and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the sweetness with additional honey, if desired.
Pour the shake into a glass and serve immediately for a fresh and delicious start to your morning.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (per serving):
Total Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 75mg
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 35g
Protein: 5g