Summer Drinks to Help You Relax | November Sunflower

For many folks, summertime allows lots of time to be at home brainstorming interesting ideas to keep themselves entertained. Relaxing with friends and family is the perfect time to create clever do-it-yourself summer drinks and summer treats for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

Relax With Do-It-Yourself Summer Drinks

Summertime Fresh

The balmy days of summer invite a host of mouthwatering fruits and veggies into grocery stores. There are also many home gardeners out there who love growing their own fresh produce which comes in handy for faster, fresher harvesting and usage. Organic harvests are especially appealing.

Good Summertime Fruits and Veggies

The comfort of home is a great place to start generating some extra tasty summer treats and creations that will please friends and family as well as cool them down. Have you ever wondered how they come up with refreshing drink concoctions on TV? They begin with fresh fruits like these:

watermelon
lemon
limes
cantaloupe
avocado
strawberries
blueberries
bananas
cherries
mangos
peaches

They also bring in fresh veggies like these that go well in summertime refreshments:

asparagus
broccoli
carrots
celery
corn
cucumbers
zucchini
summer squash

Then they get crazy ideas to mix both fruits and veggies together. Let’s give that a shot!

Invigorating Summer Drinks

It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty with some do-it-yourself summer drinks that won’t disappoint. It’s all about pairing flavors together, no matter how different.

Strawberry Lemonade Infusion

Fresh squeezed lemon juice (1-1/4 cups or 10 lemons)
Filtered water (4 cups)
Agave nectar (1/3 cup)
Fresh sliced strawberries (1-1/4 cups)
Lemon, sliced in circles (1 lemon)
Frozen blueberries
Mint
Vodka, Rum or alcohol of choice (optional)

Instructions:

Mix water, agave and lemon juice together in a large glass pitcher.

Add sliced strawberries, sliced lemons and stir.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, strain entire mixture into a clean pitcher.
Serve with sliced strawberries, frozen blueberries and a sprig of mint.
This delicious drink would also be delicious with a sprig of rosemary, a hint of jalapeño or carrot juice. See how those non-fruit items snuck themselves in there?

The Versatility of Lemons

Lemonade is such a popular summer choice because of its fresh, tart and sunny taste. Lemon is a fabulous ingredient that goes with so many other ingredients. It also adds a touch of acidity that helps balance out sweetness. Here’s a rich and creamy lemonade drink for those who prefer a walk on the wilder side and less sugar:

Avocado Lemon Smoothie

Avocado (1, pit removed)
Lemon juice (1 lemon or 1/4 cup juice; save whole lemon for zest)
Milk or Milk substitute (1 cup)
Truvia (1/4 cup)

Instructions:

In a blender, scoop avocado flesh, add lemon juice, lemon zest and Truvia.
Add ice cubes. Blend well until smooth.
Add milk and blend to mix.
Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon zest.
This provocative lemonade refreshment goes perfectly with huevos rancheros, fancy brunch items, or all by itself. For even more fruity flavor, toss in a few chunks of mango or pineapple.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Accessories like upright blenders, Nutri-Bullet-type mixers, immersion blenders and kettle cookers are great kitchen helpers for mixing, chopping, reductions and more. No need to slave over a hot stove or slice and dice by hand when you have gems like these at arm’s reach.

Daring to be different with yummy, do-it-yourself summer drinks brings people together. Make the most of new ideas, flavors and ingredients. Now everyone can have fun creating colorful, tasty and nutritious drinks all summer long!

About the Writer: Reggie Moore is a professional writer. When not trying to tinker with a new thing, process, or idea, Reggie can usually be found saying the words “Well, actually…” to an unsuspecting bystander.