It’s time to stay hydrated, my friends.
I don’t really get tired of drinking water anymore…. like… ever, but it’s soooo nice to switch things up a little, once in a while! If I don’t have enough time to make fresh juice (which I love making, but… sometimes I don’t feel like spending 30 minutes, assembling the juicer and using up a ton of oranges for a glass of juice.. not to mention the cleanup- fresh juice is more of a Sunday morning type of thing for me these days) I love making a healthier version of lemonade or infusing my water with herbs.
I’m known for always trying to make everyone I know give up on soda (my husband loves giving me puppy eyes when we get groceries, while holding little cans of Ginger Ale) so if you’re trying to cut back on those soft drinks, “dressing up” your water is a great way to quench that thirst, while cutting out all that sugar and caffeine. Today I’m sharing five of my favorite water-based drinks that I love to make on those hot summer days.
5 WAYS TO DRESS UP YOUR WATER
A healthier option to your traditional lemonade made with sugar or sugar syrup, this pink lemonade is made with stevia, lemons, and raspberries. It’s sweet and tangy and it’s something I always make for our summer barbecues. Find the recipe in this post.
WATERMELON-LIME-COCONUT REFRESHER
This combo is very refreshing and really good for your skin. Coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes so this refresher is also a perfect way to cool down after an intense workout. If you don’t like natural taste of coconut water, this is a great way for you to still get those electrolytes in- it has no added sugar and the lime, watermelon and coconut combo is amazing. Find my recipe right here.
MINT, CUCUMBER, AND LIME INFUSED WATER
Another refreshing combo that’s also amazing for your skin. Mint is rich in antioxidants, it aids digestion and its smell alone can help fight depression and fatigue as it’s a natural stimulant. When mixed with water, mint leaves add an extremely refreshing flavor. Due to their mild diuretic property, cucumbers reduce cholesterol and control blood pressure- see this post to see how I make my infused water.
FRUIT AND HERB INFUSED ICE CUBES
This is probably one of my favorite ways of dressing up my water during summer. It’s so easy to do and you can just keep these in your freezer until needed- they’re also perfect for cookouts and barbecues and will make your water look all pretty and fancy. I love using rosemary, mint, raspberries, limes, lemons, and basil (lemon, lime, and basil make for a killer combo). See how I make these right here.
If you’re in need of a little dose of energy, but iced coffee is a bit much for you, try matcha. I recently talked about my matcha obsession and shared a recipe for my favorite combo (lemon, lime, mint and maple syrup) right here.
Will you be giving any of these a try? What’s your favorite summer drink?
41 Comments
The Gossip Darling
June 8, 2016 at 9:39 pmOMG. This is like the best post ever!! I am terribleeeeeee at drinking water! I really do try but I just can’t! I am trying these!!
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:02 pmHaha thanks Mel!!
monica
June 8, 2016 at 9:59 pmOMG this post is amazing! I was actually thinking of posting m=something similar! :)
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:02 pmThanks Monica!
Wanderlust Girl (kyia belle)
June 9, 2016 at 12:39 amThese look so good! Now I have a craving for flavoured water, haha! I’m also in desperate need of a good body “detox” shall we call it, and these are definitely going to be my go-to options!
http://wanderlustgirl-kb.blogspot.ca
Darina
June 9, 2016 at 1:02 amI love these ideas and I will try them all!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:22 pmThanks Darina!
Roxy | The Happy Momster
June 9, 2016 at 3:03 amI feel so refreshed an hydrated by merely looking at your lovely photos! LOL. Will probably try your pink lemonade, but with local strawberries since we don’t have raspberries (except the frozen and very pricey ones) here. :)
http://www.happymomster.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:34 pmHaha! :) Oh yes, the strawberries will work, too!
Ela BellaWorld
June 9, 2016 at 5:06 amI tried pink lemonade a few weeks ago and I am sure I will be making it a lot, it tastes so good and so refreshing! I like having fruit and herb cubes, however I’ve never made rosemary one, something I will try out. Dressing up the water is the healthiest and taste better than soft drinks.
Ela BellaWorld
Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
June 9, 2016 at 5:20 amPink lemonade does take its time straining, but it is soooo worth it in the long run :) It makes some great ice pops too!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:35 pmYes, it’s so refreshing and perfect for summer!
Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic
June 9, 2016 at 5:18 amMy go to infused water is strawberries, raspberries and mint, especially now in the strawberries season. Something I can never get enough of :) I love lemonade too, although in the UK it is a dangerous thing to order when eating out, because for some reason people over here believe 7up and Sprite are lemonades….;)
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:35 pmHaha no, those far away from being lemonades lol :)
Ambar Syed
June 9, 2016 at 8:05 amThese are such wonderful ideas! I love water and it’s so nice to switch things up a bit in the summertime with fruits and herbs. :)
– Ambar
http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:35 pmYes, it is!
Sophie Stewart
June 9, 2016 at 10:25 amI love the fruit ice cubes, i’m definitely going to try them. Sophie x
https://stylestarsandsparkle.blogspot.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:36 pmThanks Sophie!
Phoebida x
June 9, 2016 at 11:33 amLove these creative ways to make water more fun! I personally love water – I rarely drink anything else, haha! xx
Phoebe & Abida | phoebida.blogspot.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:36 pmSame here! :)
girlonrainbow
June 9, 2016 at 12:04 pmLvoe thdeas and the Pictures are just perfect, epecially the lemonade and th one with cucumber Sound perfect for me :) <3
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:36 pmAw thank you!
Kate
June 9, 2016 at 12:55 pmAll the drinks sound so delicious, and I love the ice cubes! I’m definitely going to try that. x
Kate Louise Blogs
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:36 pmThanks Kate!
Samantha Frances
June 9, 2016 at 1:52 pmI absolutely love this post – they all look so delicious and are an amazing way to get more creative with water! I am definitely going to be trying out the pink lemonade recipe! xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 13, 2016 at 6:39 pmThanks Samantha!
Emily Carter
June 9, 2016 at 3:30 pmWow! These all look so lovely! I want to try out them all especially Pink Lemonade! X
http://www.emilyy.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:15 pmIt’s perfect for summer!
Alina
June 9, 2016 at 6:08 pmI do actually get bored of water sometimes and usually switch it up with some cordial now & then. These ideas look amazing & sound super delicious! Wouldn’t mind some watermelon-lime-coconut refresher right now x
Beauty with charm
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:15 pmHehe :) Thanks Alina!
Kiss & Make-up
June 10, 2016 at 4:11 amNow those look SO much more appealing than plain water!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:22 pm;)
Elizabeth Hisle
June 10, 2016 at 4:20 pmOh yes indeed! I am in the process of planning some cool, refreshing summer drinks as we speak. It just so happens that I am overloaded with mint so that cucumber/lime/mint combo is next on my list.
aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:22 pmYessss! Love fresh mint!
Samantha @ heythurrsam.com
June 13, 2016 at 3:50 pmThis is so refreshing! Will save this post for later! Thanks!
– Samantha
http://heythurrsam.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:27 pmThank you!
Daphne Lefran
June 14, 2016 at 12:54 ammatcha is the best! and cucumber lemon water is what i look forward to every morning :) will definitely need to try the mint, cucumber and lime one. love your blog :)
-daphne
thedaphexchange.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
June 14, 2016 at 4:27 pmThanks so much Daphne!
Lisa @ Midwest Glam
June 14, 2016 at 7:03 pmThe coconut, watermelon and lime sounds like a great combo! I love infusing my water! It’s such a fun and refreshing way to stay hydrated! Great looking photos too!
The Mad Scientist's Kitchen
June 17, 2016 at 11:11 ammmmm love them all
lifestyleandso
June 18, 2016 at 9:53 amthese look so refreshing,x
lifestyleandso.blogspot.com