Fancy a Refreshing Cooler?

Cool down with a glass of refreshing cooler made with fruit juice or lemonade to give the summer heat an icy beating

Raspberry Vanilla Soda

Whip up a homemade raspberry vanilla soda and enjoy the bubbly flavours of the drink.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1tbsp lemon juice
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Method:

1. Place a small saucepan over medium heat and add in the water, sugar, and raspberries. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbling.
2. Stir and cook it for another 5 minutes or until the raspberries have gotten nicely cooked.
3. Now place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the mixture from the saucepan mixture. Press down on the raspberry pulp to squeeze out all the juice.
4. Add the lemon juice and vanilla extract to the mixture, stir it all to blend and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
5. While serving, fill the glass with ice; top it with 2 to 3 tablespoons of raspberry syrup and a cup of sparkling water on top.

Sparkling Cucumber Water

Lemon fizz is just what you need to stay hydrated this season.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ litre sparkling water
• Half of a medium sized cucumber (sliced)
• 25gms mint leaves
• 1 lemon (sliced)

Method:

Simply place all the ingredients in a large jug and chill before serving.

Coconut Matcha Latte

Here is a perfect drink to take away the summer lethargy and add a sparkle to your day. For the uninitiated, matcha is a special type of powdered green tea that is grown and produced in Japan.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup water hot
• 2tsp matcha green tea powder 
• 3/4 cup coconut milk 
• 1tsp virgin coconut oil
• ½tsp vanilla extract
• 1tbsp maple syrup or honey
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Place the matcha powder in a bowl, add hot water and whisk it until it turns frothy and well mixed. Alternately you could use a shaker to blend it well until frothy.
2. Slightly warm the coconut milk and add to it the coconut oil, vanilla and honey/maple syrup. Shake well.
3. Put ice cubes in a glass and pour the coconut milk into it. Then slowly pour in the matcha green tea mixture.
4. Stir it well to combine together.

Cantaloupe Mint Cooler

Make the most of this season of melons with a fresh cooler of cantaloupe and mint.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cantaloupe (chopped)
• ¾ cup cold water
• 1 ½tsp fresh lemon juice 
• A few sprigs fresh mint 
• Ice

Method:

1. Remove the flesh from the cantaloupe and cut it into chunks. Put it in a blender and mix until fully pureed.
2. Strain the puree through a fine mesh strainer to separate the juice.
3. Pour the juice into a pitcher and add the water, fresh lemon juice, and mint.
4. Place it in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.
5. Enjoy it with ice.

‘Downtime’ with Adam Nabeel