Image by Kaizen Nguyễn
Summer is one of the most fun and exciting times of the year!
Make this summer a memorable one while relishing in the delicious flavors of these lively summer drinks!
Whether it’s to cool you off from the heat or to give you the energy you need to make memories in the summer sun, having the right drink is crucial! We’ve put together a list of 6 drinks to try this summer, including cocktails and mocktails, that are great for just about any occasion!
Sweet & Refreshing Summer Drinks
Sipping on a cool, refreshing drink on a hot and sunny day is a sensation unmatched. Here are 4 drinks to help you beat the summer heat and stay energized and refreshed for the season!
1. Creamy Lemonade
Enjoy the invigorating properties of freshly squeezed lemonade with a creamy twist!
You can find a more detailed how-to guide for making this recipe on our blog titled The Best Creamy Lemonade to Brighten Any Day, but in the meantime, here are the highlights:
Creamy Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
Directions
- Wash your lemons and cut them into quarters. Put them in a blender with 1/4 cup sugar and 2 cups of water, and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer to separate the solids.
- Rinse your blender, then pour the remaining liquid back into it. Add 1/2 cup whipping cream. Blend for 20-30 more seconds.
- Pour over ice, and enjoy!
2. Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
Add some nostalgic chillness to your summer with our mess-free take on a blast from the past!
This recipe is super easy to make and no popsicle sticks are required! You can find more information about this tangy summer smoothie on our Sweet & Dreamy Orange Creamsicle Smoothie blog or follow the recipe here!
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 frozen ripe banana, peeled & sliced
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¾ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 orange, peeled and sliced
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
Directions
- Make sure you have a strong, powerful blender to break down the frozen banana and orange.
- On high, blend the frozen banana chunks, vanilla, and orange juice together until thick, creamy, and smooth – about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. Add the yogurt, orange, and orange zest (if using). Blend until combined.
3. Cold Brew Smoothie
Looking for a way to stay energized and refreshed this summer? How about a bold and smooth cold brew smoothie to kickstart your day?
It’s more than just coffee blended with ice, and trust us, it’s so much better! To make this balanced and bold cold brew, you’ll need some cold brew coffee, a frozen banana, a frozen milk cube, some cocoa nibs, ice cubes, and a date. No, not the romantic kind, although a blended coffee date doesn’t sound like the worst way to spend an afternoon… you’ll be needing the fruit to add a subtle sweetness!
Before you can toss everything into the blender and sip on this delicious coffee drink, you’ll need to prep some of the ingredients ahead of time. Slicing a ripe banana before freezing can make it easier on your blender, and an old ice tray is perfect for making the milk cube! These will take time to freeze, so toss them into the freezer by the night before you intend to sip on your coffee smoothie at the latest.
Once you’ve got everything ready, simply toss it into the blender and watch as your day gets better and better!
Like we said before, this isn’t as simple as throwing some coffee over ice and giving it a good blend. Cold brews have a totally different flavor profile than other coffee brewing methods, so it’s crucial that the cold brew and coffee are high-quality. Of course, we recommend using Table & Thyme’s Mesa House Blend beans for a sweet roast with hints of almond and cocoa.
It’s easy to make cold brew right at home and you can read all about it in our guide to quality coffee, Energize Your Mornings with Gourmet Coffee at Home!
Cold Brew Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 frozen milk cube (about 1-2 tbsp)
- 1 date
- ½ cup cold brew
- 2 tsp cacao nibs
- 6-7 ice cubes
Directions
Put all of the ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.
4. Coconut Cream Soda
If you’re a fan of soda and looking for a fun summer drink to try, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you! Sweet and creamy while refreshingly bubbly, this coconut cream soda recipe is simple and delicious!
It’s so simple, in fact, that it only requires two ingredients: a can of coconut milk and a can of Coconut LaCroix sparkling water!
You can be enjoying a tropical mixed drink in seconds, so what’s the hold-up? Grab yourself a glass of crushed ice and pour in the Coconut LaCroix. You’ll want to leave room for the coconut milk, so leave at least an inch and a half of space at the top of the glass.
Then, take the can of coconut milk and shake it with all your might! Canned coconut milk tends to separate, so shake it for at least a minute to ensure a smooth summer drink!
Add the shaken coconut milk to the La Croix and use a straw or spoon to mix the liquids. Then, enjoy!
Coconut Cream Soda Recipe
Ingredients
- Coconut Lacroix
- Unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk
Directions
- Vigorously shake your can of coconut milk for about a minute to make sure the liquids and solids aren’t separated.
- Fill a glass with crushed ice. Pour in the coconut LaCroix, leaving about 1.5 inches of space at the top. Top it off with the coconut milk, and stir.
- Add fresh strawberry slices for a fun twist!
Summer Drinks to Help You Unwind
While the previously mentioned drinks will help you feel refreshed while living your life under the summer sun, we have two delicious drinks to help you relax and unwind this sunny season!
5. Mint Julep
A Southern summer classic, this mint julep recipe is the perfect way to unwind after a long, hot day!
If you’re interested in learning more about the interesting history of this drink, you can visit our Refreshing Mint Julep Recipe to Sip Under the Sun blog to gain some fun new trivia knowledge!
Mint Julep Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 mint leaves
- ½ oz simple syrup or two sugar cubes
- 2 ½ oz bourbon whiskey
- Crushed ice
Directions
- Place your mint leaves in the bottom of a glass, and top with sugar cubes or simple syrup.
- Using a muddler or the back end of a spoon, mash the mint leaves into the sugar to release the oils.
- Pour the bourbon whiskey into the mixture, then add crushed ice to the top of the glass. Top with a fresh mint sprig.
6. Frozen Mango Mezcal Margarita
Much like sweet and spicy, mango and Tajin are truly a match for the ages. This recipe for frozen mango mezcal margaritas is a fun, fruity, and exciting mixed drink for any late-night summer festivities!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CeHnhAolrHz/
While they pack a ton of flavor, these margaritas are incredibly easy to make and only require a few ingredients. Grab a decently-sized honey mango, a lime, simple syrup, some Tajin or other pepper seasoning, your favorite hot sauce, and a quality Mezcal like Monte Alban.
Cut the mango in half and peel the outside to get ahold of the meaty, juice fruit within. Place the fruit into a blender cup and squeeze the lime juice directly over it.
Then, add the crushed ice, simple syrup, and mezcal to the blender and blend until it becomes creamy and smooth.
If you’re a fan of presentation, pour your hot sauce onto the center of a plate and roll the rim of a glass around it, giving it a thick layer of sauce. On a second plate, sprinkle the Tajin or other peppery seasoning and coat the rim of the glass.
Finally, pour your margarita into the dressed glass and enjoy!
Frozen Mango Mezcal Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium honey mango
- Juice from ½ lime
- 1 Tablespoon simple syrup
- 2 shots Mezcal
- Handful of ice
- Hot sauce of choice
- Aleppo pepper, tajin, or other seasoning
Directions
- Combine the mango, lime juice, simple syrup, mezcal, and ice in a blender. Blend until combined in a smoothie-like texture.
- Put hot sauce on a plate, and roll the rim of the glass around until it’s well coated. Sprinkle your seasoning of choice on a second plate, and coat the hot sauce covered rim.
- Pour the mango margarita into the glass, and enjoy!
Thanks for taking a look at our collection of summer drinks! For more recipes like these, you can follow us on our Instagram to be the first to see any new recipes we share, or you can tune in to our weekly blog where we post recipes, event highlights and guides, and so much more!
For more information on Table and Thyme, contact them today! Follow us on our social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest to see the other amazing events, lavishing grazing tables and beautiful graze boxes we have created.
