Drink to health with summer sips

As the weather heats up and we all find ourselves diving into the fridge for some thirst-quenchers, it doesn't take long before water and orange juice become pretty boring. Fear not! Unwind has rustled up some great smoothies and mocktail recipes that are perfect for summer, as they're both nutritious and refreshing.

Smoothies are great for breakfast and afternoon snacks while mocktails are nice evening coolers. Try a couple this weekend!

Thandai, Indian smoothie

This North-Indian thirst-quencher is tasty and cooling.

II 1l milk

II 1 can sweetened condensed milk

II 30 almonds, blanched

II 6 tsp pumpkin/sunflower seeds, unsalted

II 1-1/2 tsp cardamom powder

II 3 tsp rose water (optional)

II Crushed ice

II Rose petals to garnish

Grind the almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cardamom powder and rose water into a fine paste in a food processor.

In a blender, add milk, sweetened condensed milk and crushed ice to the paste. Blend well.

Strain through a fine sieve or muslin cloth.

Serve chilled, garnished with rose petals.

Servings: 6

Mock bubbly

Ingredients:

II 2l ginger ale, chilled

II 3/4 cup pineapple juice, chilled

II 1 cup white-grape juice, chilled

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Keep cool until serving time.

Lemonade with an Indian twist

II Juice of 4 lemons

II Sugar or honey to taste

II 2 tbs jaljira powder (available at most Indian groceries)

II Chilled water

II Crushed ice

II Lemon slices to garnish

Squeeze all lemons to extract juice and strain the juice to remove seeds. Pour into a large jug. Add all the remaining ingredients to get desired consistency and sweetness. Mix well. Serve chilled, garnished with lemon slices.

Margarita mocktail

II 1/4 cup sour drink mix

II Splash of lime juice

II Splash of lemon juice (or orange juice for a different twist)

II Ice

Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until icy and smooth. Sprinkle salt on the rim of the glass and place a lime slice on it.

Shirley Temple mocktail

II 1/2 cup ginger ale, chilled

II 1 tbs grenadine syrup

II Ice

Stir ingredients, pour over ice in a frosted glass and garnish with maraschino cherry.

Lemon fizz mocktail

II 2 cups apple juice

II 1/8 cup lemon juice

II Soda water

II Rind of a lemon

Combine apple and lemon juices. Fill glasses halfway with soda and top with the juice mixture.

Garnish with a strip of lemon peel.

How to make real lemonade

II 5 lemons

II 1 cup sugar

II 1 quart water

Peel the lemons and put rinds in a bowl. Cover with sugar and set aside for 30 minutes. Boil water and pour over the sugar and rinds. Remove the rinds when cool. Squeeze the lemons in a separate bowl. Strain the juice and add it to the sugar mixture. Pour the lemonade over ice.

Sources: Alrecipes.com, Smoothieweb.com, Drinkalternatives.com

Berry blast smoothie

This smoothie is low on fat.

II 1/2 cup raspberries

II 1/2 cup strawberries

II 1/2 blackberries

II 1 cup low-fat yoghurt

(any type of berry yoghurt or plain yoghurt)

II 1/4 cup low-fat milk or 1/2 cup fat-free milk

II 2 cups ice

Blend until smooth.

Crunchy granola smoothie

For breakfast.

II 1 cup milk

II 1 banana

II 2 tbs honey

II 3/4 cup granola

II 1/2 cup ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Healthy smoothie

II 1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and/or strawberries)

II 1 scoop of whey powder

II 1 tbs flaxseed oil

II 1 tbs ground flaxseed

II 2 tsp lemon juice

II 1 tsp unsweetened cranberry juice

II 1 pack Stevia

II 8 ice cubes

II 1 cup water

Blend until smooth. If needed, add a few ice cubes to thicken it up.

Lemon squeeze smoothie

Great after a workout.

II Juice of a lemon

II 1/2-inch fresh ginger

II 1 mango

II 1 banana

II 1 tbs maca powder

II 1 handful of cilantro

II Coconut water or plain water

Blend all the ingredients, adding water until desired consistency is reached.