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What to Drink in a Heat Wave: 24 Refreshing Drinks That Cool You Down
What to Drink in a Heat Wave
The glass sweats, the asphalt radiates heat, and thirst shows up every half hour. When the thermometer outside jumps past ninety, there's nothing better than having something cold within reach. The foundation, though, is simple and boring at the same time: water. Plain tap water handles hydration better than anything sweetened, and when it feels too bland, a few slices of lemon, cucumber, or a sprig of mint do the trick. The carafe instantly turns into infused water you can sip all day long.
A few things are worth keeping in mind. The body absorbs a slightly chilled drink more readily than icy slush, which can sometimes cramp the stomach. Plenty of sugar and alcohol, on the other hand, dehydrate you, so treat sweet lemonades and summer drinks as a treat rather than a substitute for water. And when you really work up a sweat, a pinch of salt or a sip of an electrolyte drink replaces what leaves with the perspiration. The rest of the article is about the more pleasant part: specific drinks that reliably cool you down.
Water and Infused Water
The cheapest and most effective drink is right there in your tap at home. The only catch tends to be this: plain water tastes a bit like nothing, so some people reach for it less often in the heat than they should. The fix is trivial. Slice thin rounds of cucumber and a few wheels of lemon into a carafe, toss in a sprig of mint, and let it steep for a while in the fridge. The water soaks up a fresh note, stays sugar-free, and you happily top it up all day. There are plenty of variations, so below you can choose from several refreshing waters right away.
You can switch up the combinations depending on your mood. Lime or orange instead of lemon, a slice of ginger alongside the mint, a handful of raspberries, or a few basil leaves. Feel free to refill the carafe with water again and again as long as the flavor holds. For the road or a picnic, a lidded thermos that keeps the water cold comes in handy.
Homemade Lemonades
Lemonade made from fresh fruit is a summer classic anyone can pull off. All you need is lemon juice, a little sugar or honey, and cold water, and you have a base you can build on endlessly. Mint adds freshness, basil an unexpected herbal depth, strawberries color and sweetness. And when you feel like experimenting a little, it's worth reaching for more herbal and floral variations, such as lavender with grapefruit and thyme. Keep an eye on the sugar yourself: the less you add, the closer the lemonade gets to plain flavored water.
It pays to prepare a larger carafe ahead of time and let it chill. Add ice only to the glass so the drink doesn't get watered down for no reason. For guests, a sparkling-water version works well, aerating the lemonade and giving it some zip.
Iced Teas
Iced tea is a drink that catches you on the border between lemonade and a tea ritual. Black tea simmered with peaches, finished with lemon and mint, holds a light fruity flavor without being oversweet. The key is in the steeping: more than five minutes and the drink turns bitter, so it's better to pull the bags out in time. Fruit and floral versions work just as well, such as strawberry tea with hibiscus, which adds a deep pink color and a pleasant tartness.
If you're a fan of tradition, try Moroccan atay made from gunpowder green tea and a handful of fresh mint. It's served hot and sweet, but in the heat you just let it chill and pour it over ice. Pouring from a height aerates the drink and conjures up its characteristic foam.
Dairy and Fermented Coolers
When you want something more substantial, reach for a dairy or fermented drink. Mango lassi blends thick white yogurt with ripe mango and a pinch of cardamom. It's creamy, gently sweet, and cools you beautifully after a spicy meal, when plain water just isn't enough. It can easily double as a light snack. Alongside the sweet version, the savory one is worth a try too, such as Turkish ayran with mint or salty lassi with cumin, which cools pleasantly right after a hot, spiced meal.
The other camp belongs to kombucha. Fermented tea with a gentle fizz and a pleasant tartness refreshes differently than anything sweetened, and it also carries probiotic cultures. At home you can flavor it with fruit or ginger to taste. Serve all the variations well chilled, ideally with a few ice cubes.
Melons and Fruit
Watermelon is mostly water, so it practically begs to be the base of a summer drink. Blended flesh with lime and a handful of mint holds a deep pink color and a flavor that gets you back on your feet instantly. You control the sweetness by the ripeness of the melon; a well-ripened piece often gets by without a drop of honey.
For those who like bubbles, top it off with chilled soda water. Instead of some of the ice, use melon cubes frozen ahead of time, so the drink doesn't lose flavor as it melts. The same principle works with other juicy fruit too, such as peaches or strawberries.
With Bubbles and a Splash of Alcohol
To wrap up, a little bonus for grown-ups. This section leans on a few light, fresh spritzes and low-alcohol long drinks, from the Hugo Spritz through the Aperol Spritz all the way to the Tom Collins and French 75. Treat them as a pleasant change of pace, not a substitute for water, and feel free to alternate plain water between glasses, because alcohol dehydrates you faster than it seems in the heat.
The drinks are fresh, gently sweet, and above all light, so they won't overpower the food or the conversation. Mix them briefly and gently so the bubbles last, and serve them well chilled. They belong on a summer terrace like a parasol, and after the first sip it's immediately clear why.
Cheers, and May Summer Not Slip Away
Whatever you choose, remember the foundation. Water remains the main source of fluids; everything else is a pleasant change of pace. The body absorbs slightly chilled drinks better than ice-cold ones, and it pays to alternate plain water between sweet lemonades or drinks. When you sweat heavily, top up with a pinch of salt or some electrolytes.
With a carafe of infused water in the fridge, lemonade for guests, and iced tea for the afternoon, you'll handle even the hottest days with ease. Above all, enjoy your summer.
