Summery Drinks - Fraps, Iced Teas, & Lemonade made better.

Summer is just around the corner, and it seems we always want to look our best in the summer (probably because we aren't huddled under layer up layer to keep warm in the chilly Canadian winter), and here is my latest venture. Summer is also one of my favourite times to sit out on the patio and enjoy an ice cold beverage and savour the sunshine (while wearing oodles of sunscreen of course!). So many delicious summery drinks are LOADED with sugar and calories though, which bodes less than well for that bikini bod you are trying to achieve.

Here are my takes on a few summery classics!

Chocolate Chip Frappucino

1/2 c skim milk

8-10 ice cubes

1-2 tsp cocoa powder

1-2 tbsp ground decaf coffee beans (I find it best to grind your own, otherwise the taste is a bit off. I grind mine coarse so I get some crunchy texture)

1.5 tsp honey or equivalent of Stevia - check the packaging, so many different Stevia packs have different measurements. (or you can use sugar if you must) 

2-3 tbsp dark chocolate chips, chunks etc

Put it all in a blender and mix until slushy. 

Iced Teas

Iced Teas are normally made with black tea, lemon and a whole lot of sugar. My take on them is to mix it up with the type of tea used, avoid the sugar and add twice as much citrus! Another thing I do is to steep the tea longer than required, this way when you add ice cubes to it, it doesn't seem so watered down. 

I've taken a liking to black teas with flavours (black tea and blackberry, or cherry) and the natural flavours make them less bitter, so I often find that little sugar, if at all is necessary. Squeeze some lemon in to help cut the bitter and you have an amazing iced tea! I also have fallen back in love with rooibos (Red Bush in Afrikaans) teas. They are so flavourful, and are so delicious cold with a hint of vanilla. Throw a few raspberries and ice cubes in and its a delightful summery drink!

If you find that you do need to sweeten your teas, try more natural sweeteners like honey, Stevia or at the very least raw sugars. 

Lemonade

This is one of my favourite summertime drinks. Store bought lemonades are usually packed with sugar, and even those made from concentrate are usually pretty sugary. I am someone who really appreciates the tangy tartness of lemons, so you may need to add a bit more sweetener than I do! 

Makes ~ 1 litre

1c crushed ice (I just put cubes in my blender and mix. It doesn't have to be super fine

3.5 c cold water (or cold soda water if you want it bubbly)

Juice 5-6 lemons (should be about 1 c) - you can use store bought "ReaLemon" if you are lazy, but it really doesn't taste as good.

2 tbsp equivalent of Stevia, or 2 Tbsp honey (you can add more if you like it sweet)

Juice the lemons and mix with the Stevia or honey. Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher. Serve over ice. 

The other variation on this is that you can put all the ingredients in the blender and mix, this usually results in very fine is. To make into a lemonade slushy, add only 1c water, and use 3c crushed ice.