As the days get warmer and the sun gets brighter, we are all on a quest to find ourselves a perfect summertime drink. Well, look no further! Here are some super easy and affordable recipes that are super easy to customize. 

Strawberry mint lemonade

Minty, cool and refreshing, this lemonade is the perfect balance of sour and sweet. 

Ingredients (Makes two servings)

• 10 strawberries
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 3 lemons worth of lemon juice
• 2-3 cups water
• 4 fresh mint leaves, minced

Directions

1. In a blender, blend the strawberries into a puree. If you don’t have access to a blender, you can smash them with a fork into a pulp.
2. Place your blended mixture into a pot and add 1 ½ tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and mint leaves.
3. Stir above medium heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Take off heat.
4.  In a small bowl or pitcher, juice the lemons. Add 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 to 3 cups of water, depending on how concentrated you’d like your drink to be. Stir until fully combined.
5. In 2 or 3 glasses, pour an even amount of strawberry puree, add a layer of ice and pour your lemonade on top. Enjoy!

Pineapple-orange cooler

With just the right acidity and sweetness, this is perfect for a day at the pool.

Ingredients (Makes two servings)

• 2 cans of Dole pineapple juice
• 4 oranges
• Sparkling water

Directions

1. Juice 4 oranges into a cup and set aside.
2. In two separate cups, pour 1 can of pineapple juice into each, half of the orange juice and top off with sparkling water.
3. Enjoy!

Mango iced tea

Sweet and fruity, this is perfect for tea-lovers and summer-lovers.

Ingredients

• 1 mango, chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 black tea bags
• 4-6 cups of water

Directions

1. Boil 4 to 6 cups of water, set aside with 2 black tea bags steeping. 
2. While tea is steeping, use a blender to puree the mangos. If you don’t have access to a blender, you can smash them with a fork into a pulp)
3. Place your blended mixture into a pot, adding 1 ½ tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
4. Stir above medium heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Take off heat and let cool. 
5. Pour the mango mixture at the bottom of the two glasses and add ice.
6. Pour the tea on top of the ice. Enjoy!

I hope these recipes put you in the mood for summer! Have fun!