15 Cool Drinks
These refreshing summer sips will quench your thirst and please your palate.
Lemonade
Nothing tastes more like summer than a refreshing glass of lemonade. Make a pitcher to cool off or for your kids' lemonade stand. For adult parties, try spiked lemonade: Muddle 3 tablespoons of fresh mint in a tumbler. Add ice, 1 ounce rum, and 3/4 cup lemonade.
Recipe: Lemonade
Iced Fruit Punch
Freeze fruit juices in ice-tray molds in festive shapes. As the juice cubes melt, their flavors mingle to form a refreshing drink. Choose juices in a range of colors and flavors. Our favorites include orange, pineapple, grape, cranberry, and lemon.
Recipe: Iced Fruit Punch
Raspberry Spritzer
Skip the sugar-laden sodas on hot and steamy days. Instead, try this refreshing and low-calorie alternative.
Recipe: Raspberry Spritzer
Mint Tisane
There's nothing like the soothing digestive qualities of an herbal tea. Use fresh mint alone or in combination with lemon verbena.
Recipe: Mint Tisane
Watermelon Agua Fresca
This delicious drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much fruit, not too much sugar, just a beautiful way to quench your thirst on a summer day.
Recipe: Watermelon Agua Fresca
Strawberry Lemonade
Add strawberries to lemonade for a fruity twist on a classic summer drink. Use homemade lemonade or a sugar-free store-bought version.
Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade
Cranberry and Ginger Tea Punch
Treat guests at your next outdoor party to this inviting drink. Cranberry-raspberry and orange juices blend perfectly with ginger tea and tart lemon juice.
Recipe: Cranberry and Ginger Tea Punch
Limeade
Limeade served in a full-bottomed pitcher easily accommodates a pretty garnish. Make the garnish tasty, too, using fruit-flavored ice cubes. Cut up the fruit of a honeydew melon into 1-inch pieces, puree in a food processor, strain, and freeze in ice cube trays overnight. Also try pureed watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi, and mango.
Recipe: Limeade
Haymaker's Ginger Switchel
This ginger punch is flavored with lemon juice and sweetened with honey and molasses for a refreshing drink that quenches even the fiercest thirst.
Recipe: Haymaker's Ginger Switchel
Berry Lemonade
We added sweet raspberries and blackberries to traditional lemonade to create this beverage, perfect for summer gatherings. Add muddled fresh mint for an alternate twist.
Recipe: Berry Lemonade
Watermelon Slushie
We combined antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice with fresh watermelon and ice to create this ruby-red slushie.
Recipe: Watermelon Slushie
Mango-Peach Fizz
This tasty treat is bubbling with tropical flavor! Keep it kid-friendly with club soda or seltzer.
Recipe: Mango-Peach Fizz
Pineapple Cooler
Floral-scented herbs, such as lavender and lemon verbena, add subtle depth to fruit ades and iced tea. Here we add them to a pitcher of fresh pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar.
Recipe: Pineapple Cooler
White Iced Tea
This simple recipe sweetens white iced tea with a bit of sugar. Create your own signature iced tea by trying this recipe with fresh herbs, such as rosemary, lavender, or mint.
Recipe: White Iced Tea
These refreshing summer sips will quench your thirst and please your palate.