Planning to spend this summer outside in the garden? Who isn’t! Make it all the more enjoyable with a refreshing drink that transports you to a beach bar at first sip. What’s more, absolutely anyone, no matter their age or preference, can enjoy tasty virgin cocktails. Hey presto – summer refreshment is taken care of for everyone!
Warm rays of the sun, excited kids splashing around in the water, the mood relaxed. Looking forward to summer fun as much as we are? Before you pull on your swimsuit and take to the sun lounger, however, you might like to pop to the shop for a few ingredients. Mix yourself some great drinks and make your summer frolics all the more enjoyable.
Hint: If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool – get yourself some floating drinks’ holders. That way you can savour your favourite drinks in the pool itself! Dreamy!
Vitamin-packed soft drinks
There’ll be no problem keeping your liquid intake up with a good, homemade soft drink. Real lemonade, for example, is actually very easy to make. All you need is some sparkling water, ice, and fresh lemons, and whatever additions you’d like to include.
If your family is a bit bigger and you’re planning to invite some friends over to laze about with you, why not get a pitcher with a tap and let everyone help themselves? That’s half the work done!
Try out these variations on a classic homemade lemonade:
- Add raspberries, strawberries, or forest fruits
- Lemon, ginger, and fresh mint – this combination is a truly refreshing explosion of vitamins. We recommend sweetening with honey or cane sugar.
- Add cucumber and lime – keeps the body hydrated, good for when it’s absolutely roasting outside.
- Try a classic orangeade – use an electric citrus juicer to get all the juice out of the oranges, dilute with water, add some ice and a pinch of cinnamon.
Homemade iced coffee and tea
Are you a coffee lover? If so, your best bet in the summer is some iced coffee. If you can’t manage to prepare a barista-level cold brew on your own, simply make your coffee as you normally would and let it cool. Add some ice and serve to your guests however they like it. Whether it’s black, with frothed milk like a cappuccino or latte, or even with vanilla ice cream (called “affogato”) – all options are sure to please!
You might also like to try out some different homemade iced teas, which in contrast to the bought ones won’t contain as much refined sugar. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add some pieces of fruit to your tea – peach, lemon, lime, or blackcurrant will make it juicy and the flavour more distinctive. You can also add honey or sugar to your iced tea to taste. Use quality loose tea or fresh herbs from the garden – mint, lemon balm, and even basil, taste wonderful as a base.
