6 Refreshing Recipes to Cool Down this Summer
My family and I just made a cross-country move from the east coast to Arizona. Needless to say, it is hot this summer! My typical game plan for staying cool during the summer entailed staying in, keeping myself hydrated, eating ice, and fanning myself profusely. This summer I wanted to use natural remedies consistently to beat the heat. We will cover a few simple ideas in this article that you can use for years to come.
1. Infused Water
Infused water is a great way to make hydration fun (Mint, Chamomile, and Sage are great herbs to consider using).
Here are a few tips for how to make infused water:
Softer fruits like citrus and strawberries can be sliced thick, thin, halved, or quartered. Harder fruits like apples should be sliced very thinly because they take longer to release flavors.
Crush fibrous ginger root, rosemary, and lemongrass with a muddler or wooden spoon; tear or crush leafy herbs like mint, basil, and cilantro to release their oils.
Loose herbs and flowers—lavender, rose petals, dried hibiscus—can be corralled in a tea infuser or cheesecloth.
Soak Time and Temperature
Infuse water at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. After that, put it in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.
Cucumbers, citrus fruits, melons, and mint flavor water almost immediately. Apples, cinnamon, fresh ginger root, and rosemary need an overnight soak in the fridge.
Melons and sliced strawberries start looking waterlogged after a few hours; citrus and whole berries look pretty good even after hours in the fridge.
After 4 hours, unpeeled citrus can make water taste bitter. To make a big jug of infused water for a party, peel the citrus before soaking. Or you can soak it unpeeled for 4 hours, remove it, and add fresh slices for looks. (And keep that water icy cold for food safety.)
If you don’t drink the water within 24 hours, strain out the solids and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To keep sipping all day long, refill your infused water container when it’s half full. It will be weaker than your first drink, but still flavorful.
2. Cooling Spray
4-6 oz water
2 tsp witch hazel
8 drops of peppermint oil
2 drops of lavender oil
Combine in an 8 oz spray bottle and spray the back of your neck when needed
3. DIY Rose Water
You can make rose water at home by storing rose petals (that you’ve pre-rinsed to remove residue) in a jar filled with distilled water and steeping in the sun for 2 days. To make rose water tea, steep a handful of rose petals in boiling water for 10 minutes and strain. Pink and red petals make the most fragrant tea. You can also buy commercially prepared rose water. Drink up to two cups daily. If you pour rose water into a spray bottle, you can use it as a cooling spray
4. Lavender Cooling Spray
¼ cup rose water
8 drops lavender essential oil
Small spray bottle
Add rose water to the spray bottle. Add lavender essential oil. Shake the mixture vigorously prior to use. Spritz liberally to cool off.
5. Chia Blueberry Juice
2 Tablespoons of chia seeds
1 cup filtered water
1 cup coconut water
¼ cup fresh or thawed frozen blueberries
Stir chia seeds into ½ cup of the water. Let sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, combine it with the remaining water, coconut water, and blueberries.
6. Summer Pops
You will need:
Fresh or frozen fruits (such as kiwi, orange, berries, mango)
Coconut water
Popsicle molds + sticks
Slice fruits into slices and halves for berries
Add coconut water, to fill the popsicle container
Add a pinch stevia or 2 Tbsp of maple syrup
I am always open to learning about more ways to stay cool in hot weather. Are there any traditions or tips that you’d like to share that your family uses? Please comment below and join in the conversation!