Cooling Concoctions for Summer

One of the best ways to beat the heat is with a refreshingly tasty beverage in hand. Pure water is, of course, the drink of choice and should regularly be consumed to avoid dehydration.  By adding a squeeze of fresh lemon to your water, you can pack even more of a beneficial punch.  But on those special occasions when you want a little something extra, or you’re looking for the perfect summer beverage to serve at your weekend gathering, there are some delightfully refreshing options to choose from.  Here are my favorite soothing summer beverages that you can enjoy with or without alcohol. Pour some summer sunshine in your glass with no guilt:

Cheery Cherry Breezer 
·       1 cup cherry juice
·       ¾ cup orange juice
·       ¼ cup cold filtered water
·       Fresh orange slices
·       Alcohol option: 2 ounces of vodka
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. Fill glasses with ice and pour the drink mixture in. Garnish with the orange slices. 

Passionate Pineapple Punch
·       1 cup passion fruit juice
·       1 cup pineapple juice
·       ¼ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice
·       ¼ cup coconut water
·       Lime seltzer to taste
·       Lime wheels for garnish
·       Alcohol option: 3 ounces of rum (you can use a flavored rum like coconut, mango, or anything else you desire)
Mix everything except the seltzer together in a pitcher. Fill your glasses with ice and pour the contents of the pitcher in. Top off each glass with the seltzer. Add a lime wheel garnish.  

Citrus Sangria
·       1 bottle (750 mL) chilled medium-dry red wine (like a Malbec or Rioja) 
·       2 cups chilled lime seltzer
·       1 cup fresh orange juice
·       2 limes, sliced
·       2 lemons, sliced
·       2 oranges, sliced
The hardest part about this drink recipe is waiting! Combine everything into one large pitcher, cover and chill it until it’s time to serve.

Remember to drink several glasses of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration in the summer heat.  Eating a lot of water-filled foods can help, too, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and celery.  Now you can stay cool – and hydrated – this summer!
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Sara Wolfsen is a Certified Health & Lifestyle Coach who specializes in helping people make their own healthy changes by providing private health and lifestyle coaching, nutrition education and wellness classes with guidance and gentle support for lasting weight loss and building healthier habits.  Learn more online at www.sarawolfsen.com.