Sip your heart out: summer coolers with 200 calories or less

Summer has few pleasures more rewarding than an afternoon relaxing by the pool, a tasty punch and beach-read less than an arm length’s away. Sadly, while that cool drink can refresh the soul with memories of childhood summers, it can still add up to far more calories than a hard day of sunbathing warrants. 
 


Avoid the guilt by drinking water along with your punch and by using these lower-calorie drink recipes. They’re great for summer garden parties, too!
 


Lime refresher

2 large limes

2 cups water

2/3 cup sugar

½ cup fresh mint leaves
Ice


1. Cut the limes into quarters and combine in a blender with the water and sugar for about 30 seconds. Don’t puree the limes.
2. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a larger pitcher and mix into 2 more cups of water.
3. Place ice and mint in a tall glass and add lime punch.

Ginger tea

4to 6 tea bags or 4 to 6 tablespoons of loose tea – flavor of your choosing 

One 2 to 3 inch chunk of ginger, thinly sliced


1.    Place tea bags in a 2-quart clear glass container. Add ginger pieces.
2.    Fill with water and place in the sun for two to three hours.
3.    Pour over ice.

Zingy citrus punch

1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

¼ cup fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
¾ c honey

6 cups of water
Lime slices

1.    Mix lemon, lime and grapefruit juice in a pitcher. Add water.
2.    Stir in honey. Drop in lime slice.
3.    Serve in tall glasses over ice. Garnish with basil or frozen berries, if desired.