Six Exciting Low-Sugar Virgin Summer Drinks To Get The Sunshine Vibes Going (Even In 2021)

Ok, let's be honest, summer 2021 is not really what we expected. Neither weather wise, nor life wise! But that doesn't mean we can't create a fun sunshine vibes atmosphere on our balcony / in our garden / on our sofa with a few fun non-alcoholic drinks!?

Many of my clients struggle with drinking their recommended 8 glasses of plain old water a day, without going for the usual soft drinks culprits. So this is a yummy, yet healthy way to make the quest of staying hydrated a bit more enjoyable.

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of water

• 140 ml lemon juice (from c. 4 lemons)

• 1/2 tsp maple syrup

• 125g sliced strawberries

• ice

Method: In a large jug combine the water, lemon juice, maple syrup and strawberries. Serve over ice.

Cucumber, Mint & Lemon Fizz

Ingredients:

• 750 ml sparkling water

• half a sliced cucumber

• 5 mint leaves

• 1/2 sliced lemon

Method: Put the sparkling water, cucumber, mint leaves and lemon in a large jug, chill and serve.

Sparkling Cherries

Ingredients:

• 500 ml sparkling water

• 4 tbsp Cherry Active (available e.g. at Holland & Barrett)

• ice

Method: Add the sparkling water and the Cherry Active to a medium sized jug and serve with ice.

Sparkling Lime Water

Ingredients:

• 250 ml sparkling water

• a good squeeze of fresh lime juice

• ice

Method: Sounds basic, but is so refreshing! Mix the sparkling water with the fresh lime juice and serve over ice. You can also guarantee a pub will have the ingredients (but likely you’ll need to remind them about the fresh lime and not cordial).

Garden Sour

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Seedlip Garden (a distilled, non-alcoholic "gin", not cheap but really yummy for special occasions or during pregnancy & breastfeeding)

• 15ml lemon juice

• 5ml cider vinegar

• a sprig of rosemary & thyme

Method: Mix the Seedlip Garden with the apple juice, lemon juice, and cider vinegar and top with the rosemary & thyme sprigs.

Sparkling Kombucha

This is a healthy alternative to sparkling soft drinks and it's known for being full of naturally occurring vitamins, acids, and beneficial bacteria. Making it is a labour of love. Learn how to make it here. Alternatively, you can buy it ready-made, but go for the ones with the least amount of added sugar. Some of my personal favourite brands are Left Field, Real Kombucha, Genie, No. 1 Living, Clever Kombucha, and Equinox.

Let me know in the comments which one is your favourite or post a picture and tag me @ninafischernutrition!