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Looking for low-calorie summer drinks to beat the heat? Check out our refreshing and healthy beverages, including watermelon slushie, iced green tea, lemonade, coconut water, and sparkling water. Stay hydrated and energized with these easy-to-make and delicious options!
Introduction
Summer is here, and with the rising temperatures, staying hydrated becomes essential. If you’re looking for refreshing and delicious drinks to quench your thirst and cool you down, but without consuming too many calories or sugar, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some fantastic low-calorie summer drinks that are easy to make, healthy, and satisfying.
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks to Try
Watermelon Slushie
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks, For watermelon lovers, this drink is an absolute delight. All you need is fresh watermelon, ice, lime juice, and a blender. Cut the watermelon into chunks and freeze them for a few hours. Then blend the frozen watermelon with some ice and lime juice until smooth and slushy. Enjoy this refreshing drink that has only 46 calories per cup.
Iced Green Tea
Green tea is not only a healthy choice but also a great way to boost your metabolism and immunity. To make iced green tea, brew some green tea bags in hot water and let them steep for a few minutes. Remove the tea bags, let the tea cool down, and then add some ice cubes, lemon slices, and mint leaves to a pitcher before pouring the tea over them. This drink has only 2 calories per cup, making it an excellent low-calorie option.
Lemonade
Lemonade is a classic summer drink, and you can make it low-calorie by using natural sweeteners like stevia or honey instead of sugar. You can also add fresh fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to enhance the flavor and color. Squeeze some lemons and strain the juice, then add water, sweetener, and your choice of fruit to a pitcher and stir well. Refrigerate until cold and serve with ice. Depending on the sweetener and fruit you use, this drink has only 29 calories per cup.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a natural and hydrating drink that replenishes your electrolytes and minerals after a hot day. It’s rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, which can help regulate your blood pressure, muscle function, and bone health. Coconut water has a mild, sweet taste that can satisfy your cravings without adding too many calories. You can enjoy coconut water plain or add some lime juice, ginger, or mint for an extra burst of flavor. This drink has only 46 calories per cup.
Sparkling Water
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks, Sparkling water is a simple and refreshing drink that keeps you hydrated and fizzy without any calories or sugar. You can enjoy it plain or add flavor with fresh fruits, herbs, or a splash of juice. Some favorite combinations include cucumber and mint, grapefruit and rosemary, pineapple and basil, and cranberry and lime. Sparkling water is a guilt-free choice, as it has zero calories per cup, unless you add some juice.
Here are the Recipes for all how to make these drinks:
How to Make a Watermelon Slushie
- A watermelon slushie is the perfect drink for a hot summer day. It’s refreshing, delicious, and low in calories. Here’s how you can make it at home:
- Cut the watermelon into chunks and remove the seeds. You’ll need about 4 cups of watermelon chunks for this recipe.
- Place the watermelon chunks in a freezer bag and freeze them for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- When you’re ready to make the slushie, take the watermelon chunks out of the freezer and let them thaw slightly for about 10 minutes.
- Put the watermelon chunks, ice, and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth and slushy. If the mixture is too thick, add some water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Pour the slushie into glasses and enjoy. For an extra touch, garnish with mint leaves or lime wedges.
This recipe makes about 4 servings of watermelon slushie, each containing only 46 calories. It’s a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants, making it a healthy and delightful summer beverage.
How to Make Iced Green Tea
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks, Iced green tea is a refreshing and healthy drink that you can enjoy any time of the day. It has a light and grassy flavor, with a hint of lemon for extra freshness. Here are three easy ways to make it:
Hot Brew Iced Green Tea
This is the most common way to make iced green tea, and it is similar to how you would make hot green tea. You will need:
- 4 cups of water
- 4 to 6 green tea bags
- Ice
- Honey (optional)
- Lemon wedge (optional)
Here are the steps:
Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot or kettle. If you have an electric kettle, set it to the green tea temperature, usually around 190°F (88°C).
Remove the water from the heat and add 4 to 6 green tea bags. Let them steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your preference. Steeping too long may result in a bitter taste.
Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool down to room temperature before refrigerating. Putting hot tea in the fridge can spoil the food around it.
Once the tea is cold, fill four tall glasses with ice, pour the tea over the ice, and stir in some honey or lemon juice for sweetness and flavor.
Enjoy your iced green tea! You can store any leftover tea in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Cold Brew Iced Green Tea
This is another way to make iced green tea, and it is perfect for those who like a smoother and milder flavor. You will need:
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 cup of cold or room temperature water
- Ice
- Honey (optional)
- Lemon wedge (optional)
Here are the steps:
Fill a tall glass with 1 cup of cold or room temperature water and add 1 green tea bag, making sure it’s fully submerged.
Put the glass in the fridge and let it steep for at least 8 hours or overnight for a smoother and milder flavor.
Remove the tea bag, add some ice, and stir in honey or lemon juice to taste.
Enjoy your cold brew iced green tea! You can make larger batches by using a pitcher or a mason jar.
Iced Green Tea Lemonade
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks, This is a delicious way to make iced green tea, and it is perfect for those who love a sweet and tangy drink. You will need:
- ½ cup of boiling water
- 1 green tea bag
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, honey, or sweetener
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 cup of cold water
- Ice
Here are the steps:
In a mug, pour ½ cup of boiling water and add 1 green tea bag. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bag and stir in 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, honey, or sweetener until dissolved.
Add the juice of 2 lemons and stir well.
Pour the mixture into a pitcher and add 1 cup of cold water. Stir to combine.
Fill four tall glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over the ice.
Enjoy your iced green tea lemonade! Store any leftover lemonade in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to Make Sparkling Water at Home
Low-Calorie Summer Drinks, Sparkling water is a refreshing and fizzy drink that you can easily make at home with a soda siphon and carbon dioxide cartridges. Here’s a simple guide:
- Gather the materials: You’ll need a soda siphon (seltzer bottle), carbon dioxide cartridges, cold tap water, and a funnel.
- Fill the soda siphon with water: Use the funnel to pour cold tap water into the soda siphon until it reaches the fill line, usually marked on the side.
- Insert the CO2 cartridge: Securely fasten the cap on the soda siphon and insert the CO2 cartridge into the holder at the bottom of the bottle. Twist the holder until you hear a hissing sound, indicating the gas is being released into the water.
- Shake and chill the bottle: Shake the bottle vigorously for about 10 seconds to mix the gas and water. Then refrigerate the bottle for at least an hour to chill and allow the carbonation to settle.
- Enjoy your homemade sparkling water: When ready to drink, press the lever on the cap to release the pressure and dispense the sparkling water into a glass. You can enjoy it plain or add flavorings like lemon juice, fruit syrup, or mint leaves.
Conclusion
This summer, don’t let the heat drain you of energy. Instead, keep yourself refreshed and hydrated with these delightful low-calorie summer drinks. Whether you opt for a watermelon slushie, iced green tea, lemonade, coconut water, or sparkling water, you’ll be treating yourself to delicious beverages that won’t compromise your health or waistline. Cheers to a cool and healthy summer!
FAQs:
Q: Are these low-calorie summer drinks easy to prepare?
A: Absolutely! These drinks are simple to make with basic ingredients, and we’ve provided step-by-step instructions for each one.
Q: Can I customize the sweetness and flavor of the lemonade?
A: Yes, you can! Use natural sweeteners like stevia or honey and add fresh fruits like strawberries or blueberries for a personalized touch.
Q: How many calories do these summer drinks contain?
A: The calorie count varies for each drink, but rest assured, they are all low-calorie options. For example, the watermelon slushie has only 46 calories per cup.
Q: Are the iced green tea recipes suitable for different preferences?
A: Absolutely! We’ve included three methods to make iced green tea: hot brew, cold brew, and lemonade. You can choose the one that suits your taste best.
Q: Can I make sparkling water at home without specialized equipment?
A: While it’s easier with a soda siphon and CO2 cartridges, you can also try the old-fashioned method of adding carbonated water to plain water for a less fizzy alternative.
