Yep, it’s still summer out there, which means you’ve worked up a thirst for something cool and refreshing. But not with alcohol. Here’s what I’m sipping on right now: a frosty glass of ice water with fresh mint from the garden. The water is filtered and the mint is free, and that’s all good. But sometimes you need more. Luckily, my Registered Dietitian friends have shared some Cool Alcohol-Free Drink recipes!
Just Sip and Chill!
If the idea of Cherry Limeade makes you wax poetic about simpler times gone by, Lindsay at TheLeanGreenBean is right there with you! She says this recipe reminds her of the Cherry Limeade from Sonic, which she used to order after swim team practice as a kid. Best of all, it’s a simple recipe with just 4 ingredients and not much added sugar.
Need an incentive to… fill in the blank: stay hydrated, stay off the couch or eat more fruit? Lindsey from NutritiontoFit knows a thing or two about staying hydrated as she lives in sunny Florida! Her recipe for Peachy Mint Iced Green Tea meets all the incentives above. I can’t wait to try it! (But Is Green Tea safe for pregnancy? According to Dr. Weil, the answer is yes, in moderation. It can be high in caffeine. Check out my post on Capping the Caffeine. and Caffeine Content)
Try a Mocktail!
Another way to chill–Mojitos…my favorite summer cocktail. But let’s bump up the flavor (and cut back on the sugar) by using fresh watermelon, shall we? Check out this recipe for Watermelon Mojitos. Jessica at Nutritioulicious says this cocktail can easily made into a “mocktail” by skipping the rum. Kaleigh, dietetic intern and fantastic blogger from TheLivelyTable created this recipe. (You probably you see a minty theme going on here? Luckily, that means there are plenty of ways to use the mint that’s taken over my garden!)
Almost everyone in the south drinks iced tea in the summer. And in the Deep South, sweet tea is so popular, it’s often named in country songs! Fellow Texas blogger Amber from HomeMadeNutrition, has made a great substitute for sweet tea in her Sweet Passion Tea Lemonade. This recipe uses Tazo Passion Tea, which is made of hibiscus flowers, orange peel, rose hips, licorice root and passion fruit flavors. Unfortunately, Hibiscus is not recommended during pregnancy, so skip this if you’re pregnant or trying to be!
Finally from Erin, TheMinimalistRD, we have another lemonade recipe, using an herb that’s plentiful right now–Basil. This unlikely combo of ingredients turns out a super antioxidant-rich drink: Wild Blueberry Basil Lemonade. And to top it off, it’s sweetened with honey.
Perfect for Pregnancy
Wondering how to include more ginger in your diet? While it adds great taste, it’s also a good idea if you’re having pregnancy or any other kind of “queasies”. This Gingery Citrus Refresher from Courtney over at SavorLifeNutrition is sure to quench your thirst, if not your nausea. It’s sweetened with orange and dates–that’s a win-win!
Choose Healthier Fast Food!
Need grab-n-go with a side of healthy? Grab our fast food guide to help you navigate the drive-thru!
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