7 Fresh Drink Ideas to Make at Home
Cucumber lime cooler, mint limeade, half-and-half, cranberry orange spritzer, mango lassi, pineapple coconut cooler and strawberry basil water.
A pitcher of something cold and homemade makes an ordinary dinner feel like an occasion. Each of these serves about 4 and takes 10 minutes or less.
Cucumber lime cooler
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- 4 cups cold water or sparkling water
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
Muddle a few cucumber slices with the honey, add everything else and chill for 30 minutes.
Good with: Spicy dinners
Mint limeade
- 3/4 cup lime juice
- 3/4 cup simple syrup
- 3 cups cold water
- 10 mint leaves
Bruise the mint in the pitcher, then stir in everything else.
Good with: Taco night
Half-and-half (iced tea lemonade)
- 2 cups cold brewed black tea
- 2 cups lemonade
Stir together over ice. Contains caffeine.
Good with: A porch afternoonFull recipe
Cranberry orange spritzer
- 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 1 orange, sliced
Combine the juices, top with sparkling water just before serving.
Good with: Thanksgiving and holiday tables
Mango lassi
- 1 1/2 cups mango pulp or frozen mango
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 pinch cardamom
Blend until smooth and frothy.
Good with: Curries and spicy food
Pineapple coconut cooler
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 cup ice
Shake or stir together and serve over ice.
Good with: Grilled chicken and rice
Strawberry basil water
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 4 basil leaves
- 4 cups cold water
Combine and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours; the longer it sits, the stronger it gets.
Good with: Everyday hydration
