Come summer, come heat and sweat!! All one could possibly pray for in this season is either rains or a refreshing glass of cool drink. With the growing concern regarding health, many prefer to opt for the natural substitute to the drinks rather than the aerated varieties in the market. The problem is, natural is often least appealing. Fret not friends, your prayers seems answered. Here’s a refreshing mix of art and colour with nature. Whether it’s planning a party, a mid-day snack or if it’s a healthy non-alcoholic option you need for your next family and friends meet, these virgin drinks meet the demands across all age groups. And the best part is, they are delicious. The drinks are full of flavour —subtle, fruity, or just plain refreshing.

 

MINT JULEP

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You’ve got a new party favourite across all age groups. It’s a perfect alcohol-free take on a classic party favourite.

 Calorific Value: 140 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup castor sugar
  • 1 tbsp chopped mint leaves
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • ½ cup lemonade

Directions

  • In a saucepan, add water, sugar and the chopped mint leaves.
  • Heat the mixture. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Cool the syrup. After an hour, strain out mint leaves.
  • Fill the serving glass with crushed ice.
  • Add lemonade to the ice and top up with a dash of the prepared syrup.
  • Garnish with a mint sprig.

 

CARIBBEAN SUNSET

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No one in the family or friends meet is ever going to miss alcohol after they drink this exciting and refreshing mix of wonders!!

 

Calorific Value: 140 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Sprite
  • ½ cup Orange Juice
  • ½ cupLemonade
  • orange / lemon wedge and cherry for garnish

Directions

  • Fill your serving glass of considerable length half full of ice
  • To this, add the orange juice and lemonade
  • Add sprite on top and give a good stir.
  • Garnish with an orange / lemon wedge and cherry

 

LONG ISLAND TEA

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Taste the original minus the alcohol!!

 Calorific Value: 102 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Coke
  • 1 cup Lemonade
  • 1 cup Unsweetened Black Tea
  • lemon wedge
  • crushed ice

Directions

  • In a tall glass, fill half with crushed ice.
  • To this add equal quantities of coke and lemonade
  • Top the mixture with unsweetened black tea. Stir.
  • Garnish with lemon wedge

 

COSMO – TO – GO

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A classic take on the cosmopolitan martini without the alcohol. Ahh!! Heaven!!

 Calorific Value: 182 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Lemonade
  • 1 cup Cranberry Juice (any citrus juice of choice)
  • 1 cup lime syrup
  • Lemon wedge

Directions

  • Take a shaker and fill it with crushed ice
  • Into the ice, carefully add the prepared lemonade, cranberry juice and lime syrup.
  •  Recap the shaker and shake well till all the ingredients are evenly mixed
  • Strain into a martini glass
  • Garnish with a lemon wedge

 

RED SANGRIA

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Who said you need wine to shake up Sangria!!

Calorific Value: 200 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup of Pomegranate Juice
  • ½ cup of Orange Juice
  • ¼ cup Apple Juice
  • Splash of Soda
  • 1 orange wedge and cherry for garnish

Direction

  • Take a tall thin glass and fill half full of ice
  • Combine the juices – pomegranate juice, orange juice, apple juice and stir
  • Add a splash of soda on top
  • Garnish using cherry and orange wedge

SWEET ‘n’ SOUR SLIDE

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Craving for a glass of cold whiskey? Here’s a healthy alternative

 Calorific Value: 148 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Sprite
  • ¾ cup Pineapple Juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • pineapple wedge for garnish

Directions

  • Fill a glass with half full ice
  • Add to it sprite, pineapple juice and lemon juice in the given quantities. Stir well
  • Garnish with a pineapple wedge

 

PEACH COLADA

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An all year round favourite!!

 Calorific Value: 350 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup Peach smoothie
  • ½ cup Vanilla flavoured non-fat yogurt
  • ¼ cup Coconut Syrup
  • 2 cups ice
  • 1 scoop whipped cream
  • 1 peach slice for garnish

Directions

  • In a blender or food processor, add the peach smoothie, yogurt, coconut syrup and ice; blend till smooth
  • Pour into a serving glass of choice
  • Garnish with whipped cream and a peach wedge

 

TROPICAL MANGO COLADA

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A mocktail for all people across all seasons!!

 Calorific Value: 200 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Vanilla flavoured non-fat yogurt
  • ¼ cup mango juice
  • 1 tbsp coconut syrup
  • 2 cups ice
  • 1 scoop whipped cream
  • 1 tsp toasted coconut flakes
  • 1 tsp toffee bits
  • 1 mango slice for garnish

Directions

  • In a blender or food processor, add the mango juice, yogurt, coconut syrup and ice; process until smooth
  • Pour into a serving glass of choice
  • Garnish with whipped cream, coconut flakes and sprinkle toffee bits on top. Add a mango wedge on the glass edge

 

ROMAN HOLIDAY

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Not only is it bright, it is also light! A perfect night party drink!

 Calorific Value: 210 calories                                          Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Orange Juice
  • ¾ cup Lemonade
  • 1 tsp caramelized sugar
  • 1 orange wedge, lemon wedge and mint sprig each for garnish

Directions

  • Fill a serving glass half full of ice
  • Add the orange juice and lemonade along with caramelized sugar in the glass of ice; squeeze and add the orange wedge; stir well
  • Garnish with a lemon wedge and a mint sprig

 

Georgie Rajan