5 Low Cal Summer Thirst Quenchers

Summer is around the corner and at every other corner they are begging us: nice and cool iced teas, sodas and smoothies. Refreshening, but with loads of calories. Here are five healthy alternatives low in calories that taste like more than water.

5. Water With Lemon

Let’s start with the most simple: All you need is a glass of cold water and a lemon and all you do is squeeze some drops of lemon juice into the water. You can alternatively also do this with oranges and other fruits with enough juice.

Calories: 0.

When life gives you lemons...

4. Iced Tea

Commercial iced teas usually have tons of sugar added to them, but we can do our own: All you need is a tea bag of your choice and brew the tea as directed. Let it cool down and set it in the fridge. When you are ready to drink it, add some crushed ice.

Calories: 0.

Your self-made iced tea: flavors are limited only by your preferences

3. Iced Coffee

You are more into coffee but the coffee-chain varieties often are sugar and fat bombs? All you need to make your own is two teaspoons instant coffee, 1 cup crushed ice and 1/4 cup low fat  milk. Put it all in a blender for thirty seconds and enjoy.

Calories: 30.

You can also use a shaker to make iced coffee

2. Ayran

Ayran is a thirst quencher wildly popular in Turkey and many neighboring countries. It consists of (low fat) yoghurt, water and sometimes salt (which helps against the salt loss set off by heat). You take half a cup yogurt, half a cup water, a pinch of salt and mix it well, preferrably in a blender.

Calories: 75.

Ayran as served in Turkey

1. Apfelschorle (Apple Spritzer)

A favorite in Germany, the apple spritzer is very simple to do, but a miracle in its ability to refresh: take two ounces of 100% unsweetened apple juice and four ounces of sparkling mineral water and pour them in a glass with four or five ice cubes. Stir a bit and indulge yourself.

Calories: 77.

I can't believe it's just apple juice with sparkling water

Have More?

These are just some ideas for healthier alternatives outside of buying ready-made caloric bombs with questionable nutritional value. Have your own? Let’s hear it!

Pictures courtesy of “chad_k“, Robert S. Donovan, “Dan4th Nicholas“, Tomislav Medak and Mark Henckel.