It's HOT!!! It's so hot. At the moment, my aircon is off and I have a fan blowing even more hot air my way. Fantastic. These are the days that -- more than ever -- you need to obey your thirst and stay hydrated. Water has always been -- and always will be -- my drink of choice, but if like me you've been yearning for the beach but are unable to leave the city due to quarantine restrictions, treating yourself to a nice cold drink (that isn't water) can be a very welcome treat.
Here are a few ideas for you to try!
Ginger turmeric soda
Ginger is almost like an all-around cure, best known for its anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric, on the other hand, contains curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These two are a power duo that can taste amazing whether in a hot tea or a cold drink.
Blend together 1/2 cup of grated ginger, 1 rounded tbsp of turmeric powder, the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 cup of water. Place a sieve over a small pot to filter out the fibers as you transfer the mixture into the pot. Add in 1/4 cup of maple syrup or honey and stir, bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat and let cool.
Add about 1/4 cup of the syrup into a glass filled with ice cubes, then pour in 200 ml of soda water. The recipe should be enough for about 4 servings. Enjoy!
Tip: If you don't want to make your own syrup, you can buy the ginger turmeric mix from Wildflour and just add soda water.
Nutrition info estimates for 1 serving: 57 calories, 15g carbs
Strawberry Ginger Cooler
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, fiber and antioxidants. Simply blend together 4-5 medium strawberries and ice, then pour ginger ale on top. And that's it! Ginger ale - depending on the brand - can already be quite sweet, so adding honey as a sweetener is optional, especially if you're watching your carb intake.
Nutrition info estimates for 1 cup (without honey): 130 calories + 8.5g to 33g carbs (depending on the ginger ale you use, so read labels carefully!)
Good old buko juice
If you can get your hands on fresh buko juice straight out of the coconut, then do. Coconut water is known as the "natural sports drink" because it contains carbs and electrolytes like sodium, potassium and magnesium.
Many brands like Buko Loco and Greenstop - or likely, your nearest grocery - carry fresh buko juice with no added ingredients. Several packaged options often have added sugar, so as always, read labels carefully. Also, watch your serving sizes!
Nutrition info for 1 cup: 45 calories, 10g carbohydrates
Drink up!