As day time gets longer and the weather gets warmer, there is no better time than spring to indulge in Service Today’s team’s picks of the 5 most refreshing drinks that you MUST try. The beauty of this list? They all take less than 5 minutes to make!
What makes these beverages even more special is that they are alcohol-free, ensuring that everyone in the family can enjoy these delightful flavours. That being said, you are welcome to add your own twist with your favourite flavours for a more personalised touch. From vibrant fruit infusions to mixes that are sure to awaken your taste buds, these drinks will transport you to a world of pure refreshment.
So, without further ado, grab a glass, and join us on this journey through the finest drinks that spring has to offer. Here’s to a spring filled with happiness and health for you and your loved ones.
1. Watermelon Mint Lemonade
If you’re a fan of watermelon, this one is sure to tickle your fancy. Watermelon lemonade is a twist on a classic lemonade, but modernised. This delightful drink combines the sweet and juicy flavours of watermelon with the refreshing taste of mint and tangy lemonade.
INGREDIENTS: Watermelon, lemons, fresh mint, sugar, water, ice.
METHOD
Combine water, sugar, and mint in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until sugar is melted. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Strain the simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer to remove the mint leaves. You’ll be left with a mint syrup.
Combine watermelon, lemons (rind removed), ice, water, and mint syrup in a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
Serve over ice for maximum refreshment.
2. Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Although this drink may strike you as uncommon, it’s sure to offer you a unique and flavourful experience. This vibrant drink brings together the sweetness of strawberries, the herbal notes of fresh basil, the bubbly taste of sparkling water, with the zest of traditional lemonade.
INGREDIENTS: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, water (still or sparkling), strawberries, fresh basil.
METHOD
In the bowl of a blender, add a cup lemon juice, 7 whole strawberries and 5 basil leaves until smooth.
Transfer the strawberry puree to a pitcher and stir in 5 tbsp. of honey. Add 5-6 cups of still or sparkling water and stir to combine.
Add the sliced strawberries and the remaining 8 basil leaves and refrigerate until ready to serve over lots of ice.
Garnish with some tiny basil leaves and the basil blossoms if available.
3. Cucumber Limeade
Agua Fresca de Pepino or Cucumber Limeade, is a delicious recipe from Mexico. Cool and rejuvenating, this drink is perfect for hot spring days. It is also the easiest to make out of all the drinks on this list.
INGREDIENTS: Water, medium cucumbers, freshly squeezed lime juice, sucralose sweetener.
METHOD
Blend 2 cups of water, 3 cucumbers, ½ cup of lime juice, and 2 tablespoons of sweetener together in a blender until smooth.
Pour into a pitcher; add remaining 3 cups of water. Stir in additional 2 tablespoons of sweetener to taste.
Serve over ice.
4. Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
This recipe goes out to all the smoothie fans reading this. Transport yourself into a tropical paradise sitting by the beach with this creamy and refreshing smoothie.
INGREDIENTS: Ice, frozen pineapple chunks, vanilla or plain yoghurt, coconut milk, a milk of your choosing (almond, soy, full cream), unsweetened coconut.
METHOD
Place a handful of ice, 1 cup of frozen pineapple chunks, ¼ cup of yoghurt, ¼ cup of coconut milk, and ¼ cup of milk of your choice in a blender and blend until smooth.
Taste it and if needed, add an additional 1-2 tbsp. of milk. Pour into a glass and with ½ tbsp. of unsweetened coconut.
Serve immediately for maximum refreshment.
5. Hibiscus Iced Tea
Now, you might be thinking: what is tea doing on this list of refreshing drinks? Don’t you worry, this one is sure to surprise you. The mexican well-known Agua de Jamaica (also known as hibiscus iced tea) is an infusion made from dried hibiscus flowers.
INGREDIENTS: Whole dried hibiscus flowers, water, ice, honey (optional).
METHOD
Boil a kettle of water, then leave for around 1 min to cool. Put 10g of hibiscus flowers in a jug, pour 500ml of the water over the flowers, then leave to marinade for 16 mins.
Strain into glasses over ice and sweeten with a little honey, if you like.
Considering temperatures are getting record highs, our recommendation this spring is to make sure to refresh and hydrate yourself with one (or all) of the five must-try drinks on our list. From watermelon lemonade to a strawberry and basil fusion, each one offers a unique and delicious experience. Whether you prefer cucumber limeade, a tropical smoothie, or hibiscus iced tea, these drinks will quench your thirst and bring joy during these sunny days.
