Summer's here and already we're looking to cool off!  Cold drinks and frozen treats are the ticket for my family when it's hot outdoors. It seems we can't keep the freezer closed or have enough ice cubes on hand!

Water is the best thirst quencher and keeps bodies well-hydrated.  Water is the drink of choice during and after a bout of exercise in the summer sun to replace what we've lost through sweat and basic body functions.  But when we want something else for variety and fun, we can get creative with beverage flavors and textures--a simple citrus squeeze or a frozen fancy drink.

Here at EatBetterAmerica, we have some great recipes for summer drinks to tame the humidity and heat. If you love lemonade (and limeade too) but don't want your drinks too sweet, you can combine lemonade with sparkling water, iced tea or no-calorie soft drinks.  Try our tasty Lemonade Tea for a flavorful way to refresh.  Called an "Arnie Palmer," after the famous golfer, this blend of lemonade and iced tea makes a chilly summer sipper. See the photo below.

If you have a blender, you can whip up great slushes and smoothies easily.  These tasty drinks often blend fresh or frozen fruits with juice, yogurt or milk and ice.  Our Strawberry-Lime Slush is just what you need on a hot humid day.  With strawberries plentiful and tasty this time of year, it's a great garden refresher that looks so pretty on summer tables.  Strawberries are a super source of vitamin C and fiber too.  Creamy Mango Smoothies are another hot weather soother.  Using fresh mango with sorbet and yogurt, this beverage is rich in vitamin C and a good source of calcium and vitamin A too.

   
     Lemonade Tea                Strawberry-Lime Slush              Mango Smoothies

Please write and tell me how you're keeping cool this summer!