Start Spring Fresh With These Refreshing Drinks

Those warmer days are coming! Hey, maybe they’ve already arrived depending where you live (lucky you!).

Warmer days scream patio time. It’s time to chill, relax, and unwind with a few refreshing drinks and spring beverages. No more clinging to that coffee or hot chocolate cup to try to warm you up (to all my fellow Canadians out there, you feel me on this one?).

It’s time to start fresh with refreshing drinks. So, what can you serve up at your next gathering? The snow has melted and you’re able to actually see your back deck again. It’s time to start planning a spring fiesta. Everyone is coming out of their winter hibernation, so why not kick it off with some fun drink recipes?

Kick Off Spring With These Fresh Drinks:

Watermelon Slushies

The spring and summer fruits are in! That includes watermelon. It’s thirst quenching and undeniably, delicious. How can you make this one?

Grab a watermelon at your next grocery store run because this one is fairly easy. You’ll need the melon, a couple tablespoons of refined sugar, a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and about a cup of fresh ice. Blend it all together and voila! A refreshing drink that you’ll want to share.

Orange Juice

Okay, you can buy this one from the grocery store, but why not take a stab at juicing? Orange juice is definitely up there in the health realm of things when it comes to good spring beverages and tasty thirst-quenching juice. Plus, it’s loaded with Vitamin C.

So, here’s what you want to do:

Clean the fruit first. Yup, you’ll need a juicer for this one (but it’s so worth it for fresh fruit drinks and beverages). Cut the orange into slices and feed it through your juicer. And yes, it may take more than one orange. Sure, it’s a little more work than a run to the grocery store. But it’s oh-so-satisfying, delicious AND fresh. Give it a try!

Kombucha

Kombucha is still all the rage. But as far as spring beverages go, this is pricey at the store. It’s much cheaper to make your own (and you can re-use your scoby, meaning multiple batches are at your disposal).

First thing’s first, you need the scoby. You can usually order these or find them at health food stores. Without it, you can’t make kombucha. This guy is like the mom or dad of your kombucha batches.

What You’ll Need:

• 7 cups of clean water
• ½ cup of sugar
• 4 bags of black tea (or a combo of various different teas - your choice!)
• 2 ½ gallon glass jars
• A cheesecloth
• A few rubber bands

Now, you’re ready! It takes a few weeks to ferment. But it’s entirely worth it. Find the full recipe and details on how to do it here.

P.S. that little scoby guy should last you for a few years, so continue making these batches of kombucha. It’s basically free and you won’t have to pay $5 for one bottle like at the grocery or health food store.

Peach & Ginger Soda

Ginger has so many health benefits. It settles a not-so-settled stomach, and it adds a spike of flavor to any beverage or meal. Mix a little ginger with peach, and you’ve got yourself one of the best spring beverages around. Talk about refreshing. It’s basically like a taste of spring in a glass (I’m not even kidding).

You’ll need 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of minced ginger, 2 ripe peaches, 2 litres of sparkling water or soda, and about 15-16 fresh mint leaves. And this does take work, but it’s so so worth it. View the whole recipe here.

Also, if you love the little hint of ginger, consider adding it to any smoothies you make. It adds another pop of flavor, plus it’s got those great health effects.

Cucumber Water

Do you have a water infuser? If not, it’s about time you hopped on that bandwagon. If you don’t want to spend the money, just throw cucumber into your water - it works the same way.

If you intend on infusing your water, prepare it beforehand. Then, let it sit in the fridge for about 2-3 hours. You’ll get the most out of it. If you don’t have the infuser part, strain out the chunky bits before drinking. You can also do this with blueberries, strawberries, or almost any other fruit for that matter.

Invest in a SodaStream

Want to add a few bubbles to any water drink? Consider purchasing a SodaStream this spring. Mix up your regular go-to spring beverages and add a little fizz. It’s easy to use and again, 100% worth it - especially if you make a lot of water infused beverages at home.

Try Throwing Herbs into Your Spring Beverages

Make a virgin mojito. Or simply, spruce up your regular glass of water with a few mint leaves or a bit of ginger and lemon. Water doesn’t have to be boring! Make it interesting so you stay hydrated when that warmer weather hits (or if it has already).

You can also combine herbs in water with fruits or vegetables. Some common combinations include cucumber and mint, pineapple and mint, watermelon and basil, and pineapple and basil. Try ‘em out! Which one’s your favorite?

Refresh & Reset This Spring

Are you all done your spring cleaning? Now, it’s time to chill out and zone out. Bask in the sun with a refreshing spring beverage. Try out some new recipes. Find your new favourite.

Most importantly, stay hydrated in the oncoming heat. Water is important for an array of processes and functions throughout the body. And dehydration can become a life-threatening condition. Quench your thirst and give your body what it needs so you can enjoy more of the oncoming spring and summer season. Winter’s over. We can finally shed those heavy jackets and clothes and restart fresh!

Related Article: The Benefits of Celery Juice: Re-Stalk Your Hydration!