When the weather starts warming up, one of life’s little joys is the cool and refreshing drinks and slushies you can serve up at potlucks, pool parties, and other outdoor gatherings.

Whether you’re getting ready to host guests or just looking for drinks for yourself and your family to enjoy, the four recipes below are sure to please everyone’s taste buds.

Watermelon Lemonade

A delicious twist on the classic, refreshing goodness that is lemonade, this chilled drink is sure to become your summer go-to. All you need is a blender and a few simple, easy-to-come-by ingredients.

Ingredients

– 8 cups water
– 3 cups sugar
– 3 cups watermelon chunks, seedless
– 1 cup lemon juice

Instructions

1. Process the watermelon chunks in a blender until smooth.

2. Combine watermelon puree and remaining ingredients in a pitcher. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

3. Chill until the drink is ready to serve or serve over ice.

4. Optional: add a slice of watermelon to each glass as a garnish.

Raspberry Iced Tea

Another flavour twist on an old favourite, raspberry iced tea combines everything you love about iced tea with the refreshing sweetness of raspberries. You’ll find yourself brewing up a batch on the daily.

Ingredients

– 1 gallon water
– 3 family sized tea bags or 8 single-serve tea bags
– 1 cup raspberries
– 1/2 cup white sugar
– 1/2 cup powdered lemonade mix

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring the water to a boil.

2. Add the tea bags, raspberries, and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Steep the tea for three to five minutes or until desired level of flavour is reached, then remove the tea bags.

4. Add powdered lemonade mix and stir until it is dissolved.

5. Pour into pitchers and serve over ice.

Strawberry and Banana Smoothie

For a cool drink that is both refreshing and filling, look no further than a strawberry and banana smoothie. Enjoy it at the start of your day or out on the porch on a warm evening.

Ingredients

– 1 banana, cut into chunks
– 2 cups hulled strawberries
– 1/2 cup orange juice
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 1/2 cups ice cubes

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients into a blender and process until the mixture takes on a thick consistency.

2. Pour into your favourite glasses and serve!

Ginger Peach Cooler

This non-alcoholic twist on a refreshing cooler will cool you off and satiate your sweet tooth at the same time. Ginger and peaches are a match made in heaven, and it couldn’t be easier to combine them into a tasty drink.

Ingredients

– 3 cups ginger ale
– 2 pitted peaches, cut into wedges
– 1/2 cup peach nectar
– 1 tablespoon grated ginger
– Mint leaves

Instructions

1. Combine ginger ale, peach nectar, peach wedges, and grated ginger into a pitcher.

2. Serve over ice and garnish with a few mint leaves.

Keep cool over the warmer months by staying hydrated, and keep your palate satisfied with some new and exciting drink flavours while you’re at it. Not sure which drink you’ll like best? Don’t hesitate to try them all!