Cooling Beverages

On long hot summer days it is healthy to drink plenty of fluids. Kool-Aid was a mainstay beverage my mother served up to us kids on hot summer days. I outgrew my taste for Kool-Aid in my teens preferring water, sun tea, or Pepsi Cola. Other cooling beverages I enjoy drinking include fresh mint sun tea, kombucha tea, natural juices, and an occasional Cherry Coke or A&W Cream Soda whenever I want a caffeine boost. Lemon Shake Ups are the standard at county fair and flea market concessions in the Midwest where I reside. Besides, a little lemonade therapy is good for you!

Do you have a favorite drink concoction that is especially soothing and cooling? Please share it with my readership as a cooling tip if you do.

Cooling Beverages

Chrysanthemum Tea

Recipe suggested by Isabeau Vollhardt, L.Ac.

If you're caught in a heatwave Chrysanthemum tea is a traditional oriental medicine remedy for heatstroke. If you can find a prepackaged brand in a nearby Chinatown or specialty shop, great (Gold Kili brand makes an instant tea with honey, all chrysanthemum no caffeine). If not, get some chrysanthemum flowers (not sprayed) preferably white but yellow is ok, not red or purple; about two big handfuls (approximately 9 grams) and cover with water in a pot; bring to boiling and let simmer for 20 minutes, decant and drink.

Balmy Lemonade

Yield: 8 servings

• Juice from 5 medium to large lemons
• 5 cups Cold water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 Lemon - cut into paper thin-slices
• 1 tray ice cubes
• Lemon balm leaves & fresh sprigs of lavender blooms

Squeeze the juice from 5 fresh lemons and pour it through a coarse strainer into a pitcher. Add cold water and sugar to taste, adding another additional water if the lemons are particularly juicy. Add lemon slices and ice cubes and stir into pitcher. Pour into tall glasses, garnish with lemon balm and lavender and serve.

Strawberry-Banana-Mango Smoothie

Yield: 2 servings

• 8-10 large strawberries
• 1 mango
• 1 medium banana
• 6 ice cubes
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Wash and cut fruit into medium-size chunks. Mix fresh fruit with ice cubes and cold orange juice in blender until smooth. Optionally, add yogurt and protein powder if you want a healthier power-punch!

Natural Juice Recipes

Fruits by themselves can be especially refreshing too. Be sure to step outside of your air-conditioned cars occasionally to check out those melons at the roadside stands and farmer's markets.

Fresh Fruit Bowl

• Diced Mangoes
• Blueberries
• Sliced Kiwi

Mangos, blueberries, and kiwi make for an interesting combination of colors, texture, and taste. They are especially yummy when served with plain yogurt and honey. Or, blend all the ingredients into a tasty fruit smoothie.