Summer parties are often filled with sweet, alcoholic drinks that can lead to weight gain and unbalance your blood sugar levels. It’s not always easy to know what to drink instead without feeling deprived. I’ve got a few delicious and refreshing alternatives for you to try.
Strawberry lemonade
Serves 8
2 litres water
8 lemons, squeezed (around 280 ml)
1/2 -3/4 tsp liquid stevia (try NuNaturals)
250g strawberries, sliced
In a large jug combine water, lemon juice and stevia. Simply stir in sliced strawberries and serve over ice.
Cucumber, mint + lemon fizz
Serves 6
1.5ltr sparkling water
half a cucumber, sliced
10 mint leaves
1 lemon, sliced
Put all the ingredients in a large jug, chill and serve.
Sparkling cherries
Serves 2
4tbsp Cherry Active
500ml sparkling water
Add sparkling water to the Cherry Active and serve with ice.
Sparkling lime water
Exactly as it sounds … Sparkling water with a good squeeze of fresh lime juice over ice. Simple and refreshing – and you can guarantee a pub with have the ingredients (but likely you’ll need to remind them about the fresh lime and not cordial).
Garden Sour
Seedlip Garden (a distilled, non-alcoholic drink*), 50ml
Cloudy apple juice, 35ml
Lemon Juice, 15ml
Cider vinegar, 5ml
Sprig of rosemary & thyme
Seedlip is premium distilled non-alcoholic drink. The price may make you wince (it’s no cheaper than buying alcoholic spirits) but it’s hot news this year and making an appearance in all the top bars… Find it at www.seedlipdrinks.com
Sparkling kombucha
Kombucha is a healthy alternative to sparkling soft drinks known for being full of naturally occurring vitamins, acids, and beneficial bacteria. Making it is a labour of love. I made it for a while and its easy to do do, I just ended up with more than I could drink!! Learn how to make it here https://happykombucha.co.uk/pages/how-to-make-kombucha.
Alternatively, you can buy it ready-made.
Want to try before you invest your own time in making it? Don’t blame you. I like Equinox Kombucha (www.equinoxkombucha.com).
By just swapping a few of your usual alcoholic drinks for one of these will help you keep hydrated and keep you on track with your health goals.
Jo
