Beat the heat with some mocktails that you could make with things in your fridge. Easy yet innovative, these drinks are the perfect companion to a warm summer day or with friends on Saturday nights. Do away with aerated drinks; incorporate these healthy and tasty recipes this summer.
Cucumberade
A very simple way to make lemonade with a dash of cucumber and it just can’t get cooler than this
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large cucumber
- 2 lemons, squeezed
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Boil sugar and water in a saucepan over a low flame till the sugar dissolves.
- Thinly slice the cucumber lengthwise.
- Place the slices in a serving jar and pour the sugar syrup over it.
- Add the lemon juice, water and salt. Cover it and refrigerate overnight.
- Serve chilled.
Kokum Granita
Kokum is known for its brilliant cooling abilities and a granita with the same would be perfect for this season
Ingredients
- 12-16 dried Kokum pieces
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp red chilli powder
- A few springs of mint, for garnish
Method
- In a saucepan, combine the kokum pieces, salt, sugar, coriander, red chilli and mint with 1.2 liters of water.
- Bring the mixture to boil over a medium flame. Remove from flame after 5-8 minutes and cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the mixture to a jar and blend till the kokum is very finely ground.
- Place this mixture on a deep tray to freeze until it turns intoice.
- Roughly crush the ice with a blender. Refreeze this.
- Crush it again lightly and scoop it into glasses.
- Garnish with fresh mint.
Mint Julep
Peppermint blends in beautifully with tea and lemon giving us the perfect refreshment
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp black tea leaves
- 8-10 peppermint leaves
- 3 tsp honey
- 3 lemons, squeezed
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups crushed ice
Method
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a rapid boil. Add the tea leaves and peppermint leaves.
- Remove from flame, cover and allow to steep for 2-3 minutes. Strain, cover and refrigerate till chilled.
- Transfer the tea into a pitcher and add honey, lemon juice, mint leaves and crushed ice.
- Stir well, pour into glasses and serve.
New York Delight
Sugarcane juice solves all problems of dehydration and is best known to keep you refreshed
Ingredients
- 720 ml fresh sugarcane juice
- 120 ml canned tomato juice
- 120 ml canned orange juice
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- Ice cubes (optional)
Method
- Combine the sugarcane juice, tomato juice, orange juice and chilli powder in a cocktail shaker. Add the ice cubes and shake well.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.