Summer brings with it a lot of unpleasant experiences like dehydration, heat stroke, indigestion, headaches and prickly heat.

Beating the hot summer calls for some Refreshing drinks, to maintain the electrolyte balance and the proper functioning of cells.

Stir up these family friendly mocktails for a healthy way to cool down.

Easy, Healthy and refreshing, they're just what you'll want in your glass when the weather heats up.

1. OUTRAGEOUS MANGO SMOOTHIE:

A drink prepared using the king of fruits ‘Mango'. It is prepared using yellow and orange fruits and vegetable that provides with antioxidants. It contains no added sugar, but natural sweetness. This easy to prepare smoothie can easily opt as a snack for the summer season.

INGREDIENTS:

• Mango 100 g (peeled & diced)
• Carrots- 50 g (peeled & quartered)
• Yellow banana 50 (frozen)
• Milk 1/4th cup (toned)
• Cinnamon powder- a pinch
• Honey 1 tsp Water- 1/2 cup

METHOD:

 Step 1   Add carrot and water to a blender and blend until completely pureed.

 Step 2   Add this juice and rest of the ingredients and blend until creamy and smooth.

 Step 3   Pour the mix into the container carefully.

 Step 4   Put the container in the fridge to cool it for 5 min. Later enjoy it.

2. KOKUM FRESHENER:

This drink keeps your heart healthy, aids weight loss, boosts your brain activity, builds your immunity. This simple recipe is all you need this summer to Beat the Heat

INGREDIENTS:

• Soft kokum peels: 3-4
• Jeera Powder: 1/2  tsp
• Raw organic honey: 1/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Chopped coriander: 1/2 tbs
• For The Garnish:
• Salt Rim
• 4 sprigs coriander

METHOD:

 Step 1   Wash the kokum peels, add the raw organic honey and 1/2 cup of water and mash lightly using a spoon.

 Step 2   Add 3 1/2 cups of water and salt and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

 Step 3   Mix well and strain the drink using a sieve.

 Step 4   In each salt-rimmed shot glass, pour equal quantity of the drink and serve immediately garnished with a sprig of coriander.

3. WATERMELON DETOX DRINK:

Watermelon helps you to keep hydrated throughout the day in this hectic summer. It helps in digestion and refreshes your body. Keeps you cool. Chia seeds are good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to raise the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Lemon helps in detoxification.

INGREDIENTS:

• Watermelon - 5 pieces (roughly chopped)
• Mint leaves/basil leaves - 4-5 leaves
• Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds - 1/2 tsp (soaked)
• Ice cubes - 2-3 nos.

METHOD:

 Step 1   Put watermelon, mint /basil leaves, and lemon juice and ice cubes in a juicer and blend it.

 Step 2   Pour it in a glass and garnish with remaining mint/basil leaves and soaked chia seeds.

 Step 3   Enjoy it chilled.

4. CUCUMBER LEMONADE:

Adding a few slices of cucumber to your water makes for excellent re-hydration, and cucumber contains anti-inflammatory properties. Whereas Lemon aids digestion and boosts your immune system.

INGREDIENTS:

• Cucumber (Peeled/unpeeled, cut into large chunks ) - 1 cup
• Lemon juice -1 tsp.
• Cold water - 2 cups

METHOD:

 Step 1   Run cucumber through a blender or food processor until pureed, then run it for a full extra minute to ensure that it's as processed as possible.

 Step 2   Set a fine-mesh strainer and pour cucumber puree through it, stirring to help it move along faster. Discard solids.

 Step 3   In the pitcher, you should have about 1 cup cucumber juice. Add lemon juice to it, then water.

 Step 4   Give it a good stir or shake, and let it sit in the fridge (to get it started chilling) for 15 minutes.

 Step 5   Serve chilled over ice, with or without a splash of seltzer on top. You can fancy up the glass with a garnish of cucumber slice if desired.

5. LEMON AND LIME DRINK:

There is a lot of water loss during summers due to sweating and it is important to replace lost fluids or to maintain it. Good hydration enables mental alertness (improves the ability to concentrate). Lemon and sweet lime juice helps in fighting infections as well as cleanse the kidney. Also, by reducing bloating and inflammation this drink will give a good dose of vitamin C.

INGREDIENTS:

• Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
• Sweet lime juice - 1tbsp
• Agave nectar/honey - 1tsp
• Dates - 2 nos.
•  Water-1 cup
• Sea salt as per taste
• Aloe vera juice - 10ml

METHOD:

 Step 1   Combine the dates, sea salt, lime juice and crushed ice cubes in a glass jar and stir to mix well.

 Step 2   Pour it in a glass.

 Step 3   Add the aloe vera juice and honey

 Step 4   Garnish with torn fresh mint leaves and serve immediately.

Try these fabulous summer drinks & feel refreshed & energized throughout the season!!