Enjoy Summer Cooler – Cucumber Mint Smoothie

Cucumber Mint Smoothie is a refreshing drink in hot summers. You can feel the coolness from within when you sip this drink. The flavors of mint, lime and cucumber is very soothing and will make you feel fresh and ready to bang on with energy.

Hyderabad Summer is at its peak now and the humidity levels are at all time high. Sweat keeps flowing from the head and neck even if inside a room. There is no sign of monsoon, infact all are looking forward for the rains.

To beat the external heat and make yourself comfortable on a hot day, there is nothing refreshing than a chilled yogurt based drink. You can make an easy recipe at home and feel cool. This is a quick and easy way to get the calcium in your diet and thereby benefiting your body.

Ingredients :

Cucumber: ½ cup (peeled and diced)

Fresh mint leaves: 3 nos

Ice cubes-: 10-12

Yogurt: 1.5 cup (thick consistency)

Chaat masala: a pinch

Black salt: As per taste

Lime juice: ½ tsp

Chilled water: ¼ cup (optional for thinner consistency)

Procedure for preparing Cucumber Mint Smoothie recipe:

Method:

In a mixer blend diced cucumber, mint leaves, ice cubes, yogurt, chaat masala and black salt.

You can add water and blend if you desire a thinner consistency.

Dispense into serving glasses and dash it with lime juice. Serve cold.

Garnish with mint leaf and cucumber peel.

Cucumber Mint Smoothie is a refreshing drink  and soothing in hot summers. Feel the coolness and come back with doubled energy after taking this smoothie. The flavors of mint, lime and cucumber revives you and you are ready for action.

Beat the Heat with Ginger Mint Lemonade

Ginger mint Lemonade is a popular summer cooler in much demand during hot sultry days. This homemade summer beverage is sure to please family and friends at a party or a get-together.

Ginger mint Lemonade can be made at home, the recipe is simple and can be made in advance to avoid last minute rush. You need to instantly mix all the ingredients.

Ingredients :

Lime / Lemon : 12 nos (approx. 1 cup extract)

Mint leaves: 1cup (chopped)

Fresh Ginger: 1 tbsp (crushed)

Sugar: ¾ cup

Water: 3 cups plain and 9 cups chilled water

Salt: ¼ tsp

Procedure for preparing Ginger Mint Lemonade recipe:

Method:

• Extract juice of 12 lemons. Strain and keep aside.
• Boil a cup of water add sugar and stir to allow sugar to dissolve completely. After 2 mins of boiling allow the sugar solution to cool.
• In another vessel boil 2 cups of water. Put off the flame and add crushed ginger and ½ cup of fresh mint leaves. Close the lid and allow to steep. After about 15 mins, strain the liquid and cool. Discard the crushed ginger and mint leaves.
• Take a large bowl. Add 9 cups of cold water. Add the lime juice extract, sugar syrup, ginger-mint solution, salt.
• Mix thoroughly. Adjust sweetness by adding more sugar syrup, adjust tart by adding more of lime juice.
• Dispense into tall glasses. Decorate with ice cubes, lime slice and mint leaves.
• Honey is a good substitute for sugar. Only caution is not to boil honey. Just add the required quantity into the lemonade and stir.
• Few people also enjoy this cooler with a pinch of roasted cumin powder / a pinch of chaat masala to enhance the taste.

Great summer cooler and as it is homemade it is healthy too. Beat the heat with this summer cooler. It will be a hit in the summer for elders and children alike.

Benefits of each ingredient:

Lemon: Lemon water makes for a powerful detox drink; lemon juice helps to cleanse and alkalize the body.

Mint: Mint adds a touch of sweetness without the sugar to your water, and it also helps settle your  stomach and aids in digestion as well.

Ginger: The spicy root helps cleanse out your system, aids in digestion, and settles your stomach.

Hey go ahead and make this Ginger mint Lemonade 1 day in advance and mix with chilled water upon requirement.