Easy Non Alcoholic Summer Drinks & Lemonade Made With Whole Lemons
I just love summer! I don’t know about you, but this is when I enjoy entertaining the most.
Here are four quick, easy, non-alcoholic summer mocktail drink recipes the whole family can enjoy, including amazing ginger lemonade made with whole lemons!
My all-time favorite cocktail is a rustic mojito. For an intimate dinner party, nothing beats these quick easy non-alcoholic mojitos that are zesty, refreshing, and oh, so tasty!
Non Alcoholic Mojitos
For an afternoon family picnic or BBQ, this sweet cherry limeade is a winner!
Cherry Limeade Mocktail
For larger crowds, I always make this really tasty non-alcoholic sangria that tastes better the longer you allow the flavors to infuse. You can double and triple the quantities and make an enormous bowl of “punch”.
Non Alcoholic Sangria
But, my go-to summer drink recipe is still this delicious homemade ginger lemonade made with whole lemons.
Ginger Lemonade With Whole Lemons
You place a whole seeded lemon into your blender with the other ingredients, and whirl them into a creamy froth. The lemon zest and flesh add a strong, aromatic citrus essence while the freshly grated ginger adds a special zing that makes this gourmet lemonade recipe extraordinary.
Other Refreshing Beverages from The Balanced Platter:
Velvet Ginger Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1 - 2 whole organic lemons well scrubbed cut up and seeds removed
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup agave nectar
- 1 Tbsp of freshly grated ginger, or more to taste
- fresh mint leaves
- 6 – 8 cups of filtered water, sparkling mineral water, or soda water
Instructions:
- Place the agave and lemon juice in a saucepan until dissolved. Allow to cool.
- Place this “syrup” in the blender (I use a Vitamix) with the whole lemon (or lemons depending on your taste preference and the size of your lemons) and freshly grated ginger and blend until frothy.
- Stir through the desired amount of water and serve garnished with fresh mint leaves. You could add more freshly grated ginger for an extra punch.
This non-alcoholic drink is so refreshing on a hot Summer’s day. For a cocktail you could always add in some vodka. ENJOY!
What’s YOUR favorite family summer drink recipe?
Tess Masters, AKA “The Blender Girl” writes a quirky blog called Healthy Blender Recipes, sharing super quick and easy allergy friendly vegetarian, vegan, and raw recipes using a blender, mixer or food processor. All of her healthy recipes are gluten free, and utilise whole foods and natural flavourings and sweeteners. Many of the recipes are also dairy free, egg free, nut free, and soy free. You can search for recipes for specific diets or food allergies by using the handy clickable icons on her website.
I love the idea of using the whole lemons in the drink! I am excited to try that. I will also try substituting stevia for the agave. Beautiful pictures!
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The Blender Girl Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 10:20 am
@Lauren @ Empowered Sustenance, Thanks Lauren. That lemonade is AMAZING. I got that idea from a lebanese friend of mine, who grandmother owns and cooks at the most famous lebanese restaurant in Australia. All of the drinks they make are FANTASTIC! Yes, stevia works really well in this recipe.
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Tess,
When you call for whole lemon(s), do you mean to leave the peel on too?
All the recipes look so refreshing and tasty!
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The Blender Girl Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 10:20 am
@Theresa, Hey Theresa, Yes, leave the peel on, scrub the outside really well, and then cut it into pieces and remove the pips/seeds. It sounds weird but it really works! It is really good!
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Surprised by the choice to use agave, definitely not a healthy food… yikes.
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The Blender Girl Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@Michelle, I find that raw agave has as better balance of glucose and fructose and has not been heated. If it is used sparingly for treats it works well in this recipe because it does not overpower the natural taste of the lemons or change the colour too much. I tried dates and other sweeteners but this still works the best. But you can use stevia.
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These look so refreshing!! I have been in a mood to make nothing but refreshingly cold drinks so I have to try both of these. Yum. Hope you are having a great week too!
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Tess Masters Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
@new cocktail recipes, Great. I hope you enjoyed them.
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Lemon oil may be used in aromatherapy. Researchers at The Ohio State University found that lemon oil aroma does not influence the human immune system, but may enhance mood.
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