Hydrating Summer Drink Recipes | The651.com

Especially during these dog days of summer ? when you?re sweating like you?ve never sweated before ? it?s important to stay hydrated. While it?s optimum to reach for water as your first choice since it flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues,?we all like a little variety and flavor.

Though they may be tasty and tempting, don?t be lured by summer refreshments loaded with sugar and chemicals ? the words frappuccino come to mind. ?Instead, here are a few delicious recipes that not only keep you hydrated but add an extra boost of antioxidants, cleansing ingredients and vitamins.

Cucumber Water

Cucumber is a powerful beauty food, and this refreshing beverage infuses water with the flavor of cucumber. Cucumbers are high in vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as folic acid.

1 medium cucumber, cleaned and cut into ? inch slices

2 quarts of pure water

Combine cucumber and water in a large pitcher and allow to sit for one hour or longer. Serve cool.

Aqua Fresca

This popular Mexican drink infuses water with your favorite fresh fruit.

4 cups pure, cold water

2 cups of your favorite fresh fruit (like blackberries, mango, papaya and watermelons are all great)

Stevia to taste

2 teaspoons of fresh squeezed lime juice

Lime wedges

Place fruit and water in a blender and puree.

Place a small sieve over a pitcher and pour mixture into it, straining the liquid into the pitcher. Discard solids.

Add lime juice and stevia.

Garnish with lime wedges.

Iced Rooibos Mint Tea

Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and flavonoids, so it promotes youthfulness and great skin. Over a little ice with mint and lemon, it?s a refreshing and detoxifying summer beverage.

6 Rooibos tea bags

One lemon, sliced

Several leaves of fresh mint

Stevia to taste

1 gallon of boiling water

Pour water over lemon, teabags and mint leaves and steep, stirring occasionally, until liquid cools. Remove tea bags, pour into a pitcher, and refrigerate. Serve cool or over a little bit of ice.

Basil Lemonade

Lemons are high in vitamin C and promote alkalinity and cleansing in the body. The basil adds a refreshing flavor to this sugar-free lemonade.

? cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

4 cups of cold water

1 cup of fresh basil leaves

Stevia to taste

Place basil in the bottom of a pitcher and muddle it by slightly crushing the leaves. Combine lemon juice and water and pour over basil leaves. Add stevia to taste. Chill, and serve over ice.

Cilantro and Jalapeno Limeade

Cilantro is loaded with antioxidants and aids in detoxification, while jalapeno can help rev up your metabolism. Lime is high in Vitamin C.

4-1/2 cups of water

1 cup organic cilantro, washed and chopped

2 large jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed and chopped

1-1/2 cups of fresh lime juice

Stevia to taste

Lime slices for garnish

Pour water over cilantro and jalapenos. Steep for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then cover and chill for 3-4 hours. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and stir in lime juice. Add stevia to taste. Serve over ice garnished with lime slices.

To properly maintain health, check out the Institute of Medicine?s dietary guide to water and nutrient intake.

Source: http://the651.com/hydrating-summer-drink-recipes

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