SUMMER COOLER'S (TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT)

WATERMELON SMOOTHIE

Prep time: 15 min

Its the season for watermelons.  Blend the watermelon cubes along with fresh mint and serve chilled. Watermelon smoothie is another great summer cooler that is prepared using de-seeded and cubed watermelon, strawberry crush and honey. Simply superb!

Blend 3 cups watermelon cubes, 3 tbsps strawberry crush or (7-8 fresh strawberries), 1/2 tsp ginger juice, crushed ice, 3-4 mint leaves and honey or any sweetener of choice. Serve chilled.

GINGER MINT LEMONADE

Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 10 min

Mint, ginger tangy lemonade – one of my favorite thirst quencher for  hot sultry days. Nothing to beat a homemade summertime beverage that is sure to please your family and friends at a picnic or barbeque party.

1. Prepare sugar syrup 

2.Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Turn off heat and add half a tbsp of chopped ginger and 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves. Place lid and allow to steep. After 10-15 min, strain the liquid and cool. Discard mint and ginger.

3. Extract juice from 9-10 limes or approx 1 cup of lime juice. 

4. Take a pitcher and add 8-9 cups of cold water, add the extracted lime juice, cooled sugar syrup and ginger-mint infusion and combine. Add 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves and salt to taste and combine. 

5. Pour into glasses and serve with ice

MANGO COCONUT SMOOTHIE

Prep time : 10 min

A nourishing, refreshing mango drink with the special flavor of rich and creamy coconut milk. Vegans will relish this dairy-free, fiber rich mango smoothie

Blend 2 cups of peeled and diced mangoes, few ice cubes, 1/2 cup thick coconut milk (increase for a thinner consistency) and honey or sugar as required. Pour into glasses and serve.

CUCUMBER MINT SMOOTHIE

Prep time: 10 min

The heat is showing no signs of respite and the humidity levels are at an all time high. On a hot day like today, there is nothing more refreshing than a chilled yogurt based drink. Prepared a smoothie using chilled homemade curd, fresh mint leaves and cucumber. Quick, easy and a healthy way to get calcium into your diet.

Blend 1/2 cup of peeled and diced cucumber, 2-3 fresh mint leaves, few ice cubes, 1 1/2 cups thick low fat yogurt, few tbsps of water (for a thinner consistency) and pinch of chaat masala powder or black salt. Pour into glasses and serve cold.