If there’s one thing about summer that I hear every year, it’s that people like to drink more when it’s hot! The only bad thing is that it usually ends up being high calorie or soda (which is not the best for you, sorry to say). Below are a few summer sparklers that would be great alternatives.
Sun Teas – 0 calories (from FitnessMagazine.com)
Prep: 10 minutes
Stand: 2 hours
Makes: 8 servings
You will need:
4 to 6 tablespoons loose tea or 4 to 6 tea bags
1 1/2 quarts cold water
Ice
Lemon wedges (optional)
Directions
- Place loose tea into a tea ball or 100-percent cotton cheesecloth, tying with a string. (Do not use decaffeinated, green, or herbal teas.) Put into a 2-quart clear glass container. Add cold water. Cover and let stand in sunlight or at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. (Keep the container away from combustible materials. Sunlight coming through glass and liquid can concentrate a beam of light that may start a fire.)
- Remove tea ball or bags. Serve over ice or refrigerate immediately. If desired, serve with lemon wedges. Store in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours.
Hint of Mint Tea: Add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon snipped fresh mint to the loose tea or 4 to 6 crushed large mint leaves with the tea bags. Brew as directed. Remove mint before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh mint.
Ginger Tea: Add a 2- to 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced, with the loose tea or tea bags. Brew tea as directed. Strain before serving. If desired, garnish each serving with a ginger-flavored candy stick.
Very Berry Tea: Brew tea as directed. In a covered blender container blend 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries until smooth. If desired, strain raspberry puree to remove seeds. Stir berry mixture into brewed tea. If desired, garnish with fresh berries.
Strawberry-Coconut Daiquiri – 112 calories (fromEatingWell.com)
Prep:10 mins
Total: 10 mins
Makes: 6 servings, about 3/4 cup each
You will need:
2 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen strawberries (about 12 oz)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 cups ice cubes
3/4 cup coconut-flavored rum, such as Malibu
Directions
Combine strawberries, sugar and lime juice together in a blender. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and rum and blend until frothy. Transfer mixture to a pitcher and serve. To keep it cool in warmer weather, freeze fresh berries for 30 minutes before blending. Variation: For a nonalcoholic version, omit the rum and add 1/2 cup additional strawberries.
Farmers Market Margarita - 99 Calories (from Shape.com)
Check your local farmers market for fresh and healthy ingredients!
You will need:
1.25 oz. Corzo Silver
2 sprigs of fresh cilantro
4 slices of fresh cucumber
2 slices of fresh jalapeno
1 oz. fresh lime juice
2 oz. distilled water
2 packets of Splenda or similar
Directions
Add all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, shake and serve over the rocks in an 8 oz. glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Remember, everything in moderation! Try them all and let me know which one you like best. Can you guess which one is my favorite? Hint: It starts with a “S” and ends in an “i”!