5 Refreshing and Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping This Summer

In the summer while you’re taking part in all the activities you can and soaking up that summer sun, you’re going to want some cool drinks nearby to cool down. While the staple summer lemonade awaits, you may want to look elsewhere for your summer mixers as many of the common favorite beverages of summer contain high concretes of sugar and a large sum of calories. No need to fret though. Here are five healthy and refreshing summer drinks you should try instead!

1. Green Tea

Green Tea with a little bit of lemon is always a go-to of mine whenever I want a little energy reboot, and to feel cleansed afterward. The benefits of this drink include burning fat, increasing brain activity, and even preventing cancer. In order to get the full effect of the fruit, you’re always going to want to get the unsweetened version, as the sweetened version adds unnecessary sugars into the mix as well as high fructose corn syrup. So when you’re thinking of grabbing an iced coffee or a soda for that midday pick me up, grab a green tea instead!

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2. Grapefruit Juice

With every bite into a grapefruit comes the delicious citrus juice inside. While many people only associate benefits from solely eating the fruit, drinking its juice can help you bulk up on key nutrients, promote a healthy appetite, and can reduce the risk of kidney stones. You’re going to want to make sure to get the concrete version of this drink to avoid the harmful sugars in artificial flavoring and high fructose corn syrup. So go to your nearest market to get some of this sweet and sour juice stat!

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3. Lemon and Cucumber Water Mixer

There is nothing like a cool glass of water on a hot day, but even better than this is water with a little bit of flavoring. A simple twist on regular water, a lemon and cucumber mixer gives you not only the health benefits of pure water but also provides the key antioxidants found in lemons and the healing properties of cucumbers. The drink is incredibly easy to prepare. Just fill a normal picture of cool water, and add some cucumber and lemon slices. I would let the mix sit in the fridge too for about a half hour to get the full benefits of the cucumber and lemon. This drink will have you feel cleansed for sure!

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4. Sparkling Cranberry Spritzer

Cranberry juice is not only good for UTIs but also helps with digestion, improving heart health, fighting cancer, and lowering cholesterol. But when you add some seltzer water, the fruit juice turns into the perfect summer beverage to cool you right down. For the full health benefits, you’re going to want to get the concentrate version, free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavoring.

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5. Watermelon Lemonade

Lemonade is bound to be a drink you’ll find yourself sipping on this summer, so might as well add in the fruit that is perfectly in season. You’re going to want to add 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1/2 cup of white sugar, some watermelon chunks, and about 3 cups of chilled water with ice cubes. Once you’re finished with the prep you’ll be left with a chiller that is bound to be tasty and refreshing!

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In the summer it’s always nice to have cool drinks on hand for when things get a little too hot. But it can be tempting to not want to turn to sugary lemonades, iced coffees, and sodas. However, if you turn to one of these five beverages, you’re bound to feel not only refreshed but also have added health benefits from a simply consuming a drink, which is a pretty convenient way of keeping up that summer diet.