Recipe for a Perfect Summer: Mix Up a Mocktail, Step Outside and Take It Easy

It’s hot out! Stay hydrated this summer with our healthy mocktails.

 

Find out how to make the recipes below:

Cucumber Aqua Fresca

Prep time: 15 minutes  

Servings: 6

4          medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and sliced into ½-inch slices (about 5 cups)

½         cup water

            pinch of salt

3          cups ice cubes

1          small bunch basil (about 1 cup)

1          lime, juiced

            cucumber slices for garnish

In a blender container, combine cucumber, water and salt. Cover and puree until smooth. If you want it perfectly smooth, strain mixture, but this is not essential.

 Add ice cubes and basil. Blend until slushy.

 Stir in lime juice. To serve, add a cucumber slice to the rim of the glass.

Nutrition facts (per serving): 73 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 34 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 2 g protein. Daily values: 17% vitamin A, 18% vitamin C, 7% calcium, 14% iron.

 

Minted Mango Tea

Prep time: 10 minutes. Cool: 1 hour. Chill: 2 hours.

Servings: 6

8          green tea bags

2          mint sprigs

4          cups boiling water

1          cup chopped mango slices

1          cup pineapple juice

            ice cubes

            mint for garnish

In a large heat-proof glass bowl (or 2-quart heat-proof glass pitcher), pour boiling water over the tea bags and mint sprigs. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and mint sprigs. Cool, covered, for 1 hour. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours.

Meanwhile, place the chopped mango and pineapple juice in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate the pureed mixture.

 If you used a bowl, transfer the chilled tea to a 2-quart pitcher. Add the pureed mango mixture and stir.

 To serve, pour the tea mixture into ice-filled glasses. Garnish each glass with mint.

Nutrition facts (per serving): 66 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein. Daily values: 5% vitamin A, 31% vitamin C, 1% calcium, 3% iron.

 

Strawberry-Lime Cooler

Prep time: 15 minutes  

Servings: 8

4          cups fresh strawberries, cut up

2          cups coconut water

3          tablespoons honey

2          tablespoons lime juice

2          cups club soda

            ice

            strawberries for garnish

 In an 8-cup blender, combine strawberries, coconut water and lime juice. Cover and blend until smooth.

Carefully stir in club soda.

Pour over ice to serve. Garnish with a whole strawberry.

Nutrition facts (per serving): 60 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 17 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 12 g sugar, 1 g protein. Daily values: 0% vitamin A, 0% vitamin A, 79% vitamin C, 3% calcium, 2% iron.

Categories: Get Healthy