During summer months it is easy to get bored drinking bottle after bottle of plain old water. Hydration, especially during summer months, is extremely important. By the time you are experiencing thirst you are already dehydrated. The tired and draining feeling that creeps up on you may also be a sign of dehydration. A few other signs of dehydration include; dry sticky mouth (which means chapped lips) light-headedness, dry skin and more. (See a more comprehensive list of dehydration symptoms here.)
It is often easy to forgo water all together but these recipes are the cure for the common glass or bottle of water, with benefits of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other useful and beautifying ingredients.
Celebrity nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution Kimberly Snyder, shares her top three healthy summer drinks to sip at a bar-b-que, under your umbrella or on the go. . . and we also share a ThisThatBeauty recipe!
Iced Rooibos Mint Tea
Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and flavonoids, so it promotes youthfulness and great skin. Over a little ice with mint and lemon, it’s a refreshing and detoxifying summer beverage.
- 6 Rooibos tea bags
- One lemon, sliced
- Several leaves of fresh mint
- Stevia to taste
- 1 gallon of boiling water
- Pour water over lemon, teabags and mint leaves and steep, stirring occasionally, until liquid cools. Remove tea bags, pour into a pitcher, and refrigerate. Serve cool or over a little bit of ice.
Cilantro and Jalapeno Limeade
Cilantro is loaded with antioxidants and aids in detoxification, while jalapeno can help rev up your metabolism. Lime is high in Vitamin C.
- 4-1/2 cups of water
- 1 cup organic cilantro, washed and chopped
- 2 large jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed and chopped
- 1-1/2 cups of fresh lime juice
- Stevia to taste
- Lime slices for garnish
Pour water over cilantro and jalapenos. Steep for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then cover and chill for 3-4 hours. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and stir in lime juice. Add stevia to taste. Serve over ice garnished with lime slices.
Basil Lemonade
Lemons are high in vitamin C and promote alkalinity and cleansing in the body. The basil adds a refreshing flavor to this sugar-free lemonade.
- ½ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 cups of cold water
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
- Stevia to taste
Place basil in the bottom of a pitcher and muddle it by slightly crushing the leaves. Combine lemon juice and water and pour over basil leaves. Add stevia to taste. Chill, and serve over ice.
The ladies at TTB have been making their versions of refreshing, healthy summer beverages all season, we thought we would share our favorites.
Some of my favorite mocktails are made using raspberries and blackberries. Both are rich in Vitamin C and K and as well as manganese. I like to mix it up and use sodium free club soda or sparkling water. I don’t use artificial sweeteners but prefer instead to use agave syrup when I need more sweetness than is provided by the berries.
Citrus Berry Coolers
- 1/4 fresh or frozen berries
- 2 slices lime or lemon
- 3 to 4 fresh mint or basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon Agave (optional. You may substitute with your favorite low calorie sweetener)
- Crushed Ice
- 6 ounces (or more) club soda or sparking water
Muddle berries with lime or lemon, fresh mint or basil and agave. Add crushed ice. Add sparkling water or club soda.
Another way to ensure you stay hydrated is to keep a pitcher of infused water in your refrigerator. It is easy as pie to do and makes all the difference in how much water you will drink throughout the day. You can infuse your water with your favorite fruit. I have found that any combination that includes lime, lemon or orange is always fantastic. Cucumbers and watermelon also work great!
Cucumber Lemon and Mint Infused Water
1 lemon
1 medium to large cucumber
Fresh Mint (about 40 leaves)
32 ounces of Water (or as much as your pitcher holds)
Wash and slice lemon and cucumber and add to your pitcher. Was mint, rub together lightly and add to your pitcher. Add water cover and refrigerate. Let stand for at least an hour.
