Summer is the season of having fun, exploring, enjoying the outdoors and sipping cocktails at sunset. Whether you’re on vacation or relaxing at home, an iced beverage or cool treat is the best way to feel refreshed and enjoy the summer season.

To help you stay hydrated and happy, we gathered some of the tastiest, easiest drink and dessert recipes for summer. You can make them at home with just a few ingredients and no fancy equipment.

Read on to discover 8 simple and delicious refreshments that’ll keep you cool on hot summer days.

Photo by Taylor Powers Photography

ICED COFFEE, LATTE + TEA RECIPES

1. Iced Turmeric Latte - T W O  W A Y S

Ingredients: 

• 1-2 sachets or 1-2 tablespoons of Sugar Free Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix
• 1 oz of hot water
• 1 to 1 ½ cup of cold milk of choice
• A pinch of cinnamon
• Sweetener of choice (optional)
• Coconut whipped cream (optional)
• Ice

How to make it:

In a glass, pour 1-2oz of hot water on top of the turmeric latte mix. Stir until dissolved to make a concentrate. Let concentrate cool completely, then fill the glass halfway with cold milk. Add ice cubes and top with whipped coconut cream and a pinch of cinnamon (optional). Serve immediately.

Method #2

Ingredients: 

• 1-2 sachets or 1-2 tablespoons of Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix
• 1 cup of coconut milk/water or regular milk (cold or at room temperature)
• Sweetener of choice (you can also use dates as sweetener)
• 1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract
• Ice

How to make it:

Pour all ingredients (except the ice) in a blender and pulse until everything is well incorporated. Pour the latte in a tall glass and add the ice. Serve immediately.

2. Iced Turmeric Fruit Tea

Homemade iced tea with turmeric is the go-to summer beverage when you want to stay hydrated without packing in extra calories. You can make this tea with sweeteners like Stevia or add orange juice to add natural sweetness.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup of boiling water
• 1 bag of fruit tea
• 1 tsp. of turmeric powder
• A pinch of pepper
• A pinch of cinnamon
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon or ½ orange
• Mint leaves/sprigs (optional)
• Honey, agave or maple syrup (optional)
• Ice

How to prepare it:

In a saucepan, pour the water, tea bag, turmeric powder, pepper and cinnamon and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 7-10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it steep at room temperature. Once completely cooled, add the sweetener, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir. Pour into a cup, add ice and garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

3. Iced Vanilla Turmeric Coffee

On busy mornings when you crave caffeine to wake you up, this iced vanilla turmeric coffee will help you start your day right.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of double espresso or ½ cup of strong freshly brewed coffee
• 1 tbsp. Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup of cold milk
• Sweetener of choice
• Ice

Directions:

Pour the espresso in a blender and add the milk, turmeric latte mix, vanilla and sweetener. Blend until well incorporated. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour the coffee. Serve immediately.

SUMMER COCKTAILS + SMOOTHIES

4. Watermelon Raspberry Lemonade

Watermelons are made of 90% water and 10% fruit sugars, making them the perfect base for a healthy naturally sweetened lemonade.

To make this simple refreshment, you’ll need:

• 1 small watermelon, cut into chunks
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 cup of water (regular, soda or coconut water)
• Juice of 2 lemons or limes
• Sweetener (optional)
• Ice

Preparation:

Put the raspberries, watermelon, lemon juice and sweetener in a blender and process until the fruit is pureed. Transfer the mixture into a pitcher and add the water. Stir and pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.

5. Virgin Pina Colada with a Twist

This popular cocktail will transport you to a tropical vacation on a white sandy beach with palm trees and light breeze. For a fun little twist, we added a hint of turmeric to the recipe.

To make this Pina Colada, you’ll need:

• 1 pineapple, cut into chunks
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ¼ cup lemon or orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice, unsweetened
• 1 sachet Sugar Free Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• Rosemary or lavender sprigs
• Ice

Preparation:

Pour all ingredients (except the ice) into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more coconut milk if the mixture is too thick. Fill glasses with ice and pour the cocktail. Garnish with lavender or rosemary sprigs and pineapple slices.

EASY + REFRESHING DESSERTS

6. Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream + Turmeric Topping

This easy and refreshing dessert is a no-brainer that’ll keep your sweet tooth happy and cool you off on hot summer days.

You’ll only need a few ingredients:

• Fresh peaches, cut into halves
• Honey or maple syrup
• Vanilla ice cream
• Salted caramel sauce
• Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix for topping

Preparation:

Cut the peaches into halves, removing the pit. Coat the halves with honey or maple syrup to prepare them for grilling. Grill them for a couple of minutes on each side until you see lines forming. Remove from grill and add a scoop of ice cream to each peach. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle turmeric latte mix on top.

7. Turmeric Latte Ice Cream

Turmeric latte AND ice cream in the same sentence? Sign us up! This recipe is not only low in calories, but it’s also insanely good for you!

To whip up this golden ice cream, you’ll need:

• 2 sachets or 2 tablespoons of Original Golden Root Turmeric Latte Mix
• 8 oz. coconut cream or heavy cream
• 2 cans (14 oz.) coconut milk (or same amount of other high-fat milk of choice)
• Honey, maple syrup or other sweetener of choice
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• A pinch of cinnamon

How to make it:

Place the ingredients into a saucepan on medium heat (don’t let it boil) until the turmeric latte mix dissolves. Reduce the heat and bring the mixture to a slight simmer. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool at room temperature for a couple of hours. Then, place the mixture into an ice cream maker and once it reaches a creamy texture, serve immediately or transfer into a container to freeze. Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a container, place it in the freezer and stir it thoroughly every 2-3 hours to reach a creamier texture.

8. Strawberry Mango Sorbet

There’s nothing more satisfying than a freshly made sorbet with your favorite summer fruits!

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 large mango, cut into chunks (frozen)
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• Juice and zest of 1 lime or lemon
• ¾ cup sugar (you can use muscovado or coconut sugar as a healthier alternative)
• 1 to 1 ½ cups water
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

How to prepare it:

In a saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil and stir until you get a light syrup. Remove from heat and let it cool. In a blender, place the frozen mango pieces and strawberries and process until smooth. Add the syrup, lime or lemon juice and zest. Pulse until you get an even mixture. Transfer the puree into a container and put it in the freezer for a few hours until firm. Stir the sorbet every couple of hours. Garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER REFRESHMENT? Share your creations with us over on Instagram and let us know how you stay refreshed and cool this summer!

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Author Bio

Frosina is a freelance writer for hire specializing in lifestyle, health and wellness topics. When she’s not busy writing about productivity tips and mindfulness, you can find her learning all about digital marketing and dreaming of Italy. You can learn more about Frosina at www.figsproutcreative.com and connect with her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.