5 Delicious and Beautifying Summer Drink Recipes

Thanks to Kimberly Snyder at: http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2012/07/19/5-delicious-and-beautifying-summer-drink-recipes/ 

Cucumber Water

Cucumber is a powerful beauty food, and this refreshing beverage infuses water with the flavor of cucumber. Cucumbers are high in vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as folic acid. Best, the drink is super easy to make and really delicious!

• 1 medium cucumber, cleaned and cut into ½ inch slices
• 2 quarts of pure water

Combine cucumber and water in a large pitcher and allow to sit for one hour or longer. Serve cool.

Agua Fresca

This popular Mexican drink infuses water with your favorite fresh fruit.

• 4 cups pure, cold water
• 2 cups of your favorite fresh fruit (I like berries or papaya)
• Stevia to taste
• 2 teaspoons of fresh squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedges

1. Place fruit and water in a blender and puree.
2. Place a small sieve over a pitcher and pour mixture into it, straining the liquid into the pitcher. Discard solids.
3. Add lime juice and stevia.
4. Garnish with lime wedges.

Iced Rooibos Mint Tea

Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and flavonoids, so it promotes youthfulness and great skin. Over a little ice with mint and lemon, it’s a refreshing and detoxifying summer beverage.

• 6 Rooibos tea bags
• One lemon, sliced
• Several leaves of fresh mint
• Stevia to taste
• 1 gallon of boiling water

Pour water over lemon, teabags and mint leaves and steep, stirring occasionally, until liquid cools. Remove tea bags, pour into a pitcher, and refrigerate. Serve cool or over a little bit of ice.

Basil Lemonade

 Lemons are high in vitamin C and promote alkalinity and cleansing in the body. The basil adds a refreshing flavor to this sugar-free lemonade.

• ½ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups of cold water
• 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
• Stevia to taste

Place basil in the bottom of a pitcher and muddle it by slightly crushing the leaves. Combine lemon juice and water and pour over basil leaves. Add stevia to taste. Chill, and serve over ice.

Cilantro and Jalapeno Limeade

Cilantro is loaded with antioxidants and aids in detoxification, while jalapeno can help rev up your metabolism. Lime is high in Vitamin C.

• 4-1/2 cups of water
• 1 cup organic cilantro, washed and chopped
• 2 large jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed and chopped
• 1-1/2 cups of fresh lime juice
• Stevia to taste
• Lime slices for garnish

Pour water over cilantro and jalapenos. Steep for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then cover and chill for 3-4 hours. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and stir in lime juice. Add stevia to taste. Serve over ice garnished with lime slices.