Summer is here and so is the heat. Not everyone can live in a beach villa, but you can enjoy refreshing drinks. Of course, you can't choose cocktails every time, so why not try some delicious mocktails. Summer is all about chilling out and protecting yourself from the sun, but most of all, it's about hydrating. Water is definitely the easiest and best option, but what's the fun in that? Add freshness to your drink, add some flavour and refresh your day with easy mocktails you can make at home.
Who doesn't like lemons in the summer? It is very sour and refreshing, and it packs quite the vitamin C punch too. Lemon in drinks has lots of benefits for health like vitamin C is good for skin, it also aids digestion and reduces inflammation and many more benefits. Lemon mocktails are therefore perfect for summer hydration.
Want to try a few lemon-based mocktails this summer? Here are a few recipes you can try out.
Virgin Mojito
Virgin Mojito is one of the most popular non-alcoholic drinks. A blend of mint and lemon, this drink will revitalise your body and mind in minutes. This recipe is quick to prepare with just a few ingredients and you can make it yourself. All you just need is half a lemon (more if you like the sour hit), a tablespoon of sugar, a sprig of mint leaves, ice cubes and club soda. Fill the bottle halfway with soda. Crush the mint leaves and add them to the soda. Add the lemon juice, sugar and salt to a bowl and whisk. Once the sugar has dissolved, pour this mixture into the soda-sugar solution. Serve the virgin mojito with small lemon slices and mint leaves.
Virgin Watermelon Margarita
You all know the good stuff about watermelon, right? Watermelon is loaded with essential nutrients and also keeps you hydrated during summers. To make the perfect summer drink virgin watermelon margarita, add lime juice to make it even more punchy. Place three cups of watermelon flesh in a blender and add half cup of lemon juice. Serve in a margarita glass. Rub the rim of glass with a lemon wedge, then top with salt. Then serve your drink in style.
Shikanji
Shikanji is a traditional Indian drink rich in vitamin C, which has amazing benefits for digestion. You can make this drink in bulk and keep it in the fridge for a few days, but more importantly, it satisfies India’s love of spice. Combine a cup of water and sugar in a small bowl and mix until the sugar dissolves. In a bowl, add sugar water, roasted cumin powder, lemon juice, black salt and salt. Mix well and strain the drink into a serving jar. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon wedges. Add ice and serve.
Moscow Mule
This Moscow Mule mocktail combines slightly spicy ginger notes with fresh lime juice for a refreshingly tart drink. If you can't find ginger syrup at the store, it's easy to make your own. Add the non-alcoholic ginger beer, lime juice, and ginger syrup in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve the syrup. Divide evenly between two ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lemon and serve it cool.
Fizzy Rosemary Cider
Many mocktails are high in sugar, but this simple mocktail uses club soda and a sugar-free simple syrup recipe to cut down on calories and carbs. Combine water and rosemary in a small pan and put it on low heat. Cook and stir, over medium heat until the rosemary is completely dissolved. Turn off the heat and let it cool for 30 minutes. Remove and discard the rosemary sprigs. To make the mocktail, add cider, soda and simple syrup in a tall glass. Garnish with lemon and rosemary sprig.