Make it a Mocktail Summer!

Summer is in full swing! Which means lots of cookouts and poolside BBQs. Keep hydration and health in mind with a #mocktailsummer. Try these cooling summer drink recipes. Recipes like the Watermelon Mint Mocktail and the Honeydew Melon Agua Fresca are perfect for everyone to enjoy. 

Watermelon Mint Mocktail:

Ingredients:
2 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Ice
3/4 cup watermelon juice (see Tip)
½ cup club soda
Small slice watermelon for garnish

Directions:
Mash mint leaves in the bottom of a large cocktail glass or pint glass with a muddler or small wooden spoon. Fill the glass one-third full of ice; add watermelon juice. Top with club soda and garnish with a watermelon slice and more mint leaves, if desired.

Tips

Tip: To make your own watermelon juice, puree 1 1/2 cups cubed seedless watermelon in a blender until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing with a spoon to release juices. Discard solids. Cover and refrigerate the juice for up to 4 days.

Honeydew Melon Agua Fresca:

We've knocked back the sugar quite a bit in this healthier Mexican agua fresca recipe. This refreshing drink is a way to use up leftover fruit, so feel free to use this technique with whatever fruit you have, especially other melons and tropical fruits like pineapple and mango.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups 1-inch honeydew chunks (from 1 large ripe melon, peeled)

• 4 cups water, divided

• ⅓ cup fresh lime juice, or more to taste

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• Ice for serving

• Lime slices for garnish

Working in batches if necessary, puree melon, 2 cups water, lime juice and sugar in a blender until smooth and the sugar has fully dissolved, about 45 seconds. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. Add the remaining 2 cups water, stir well, and adjust the taste with more lime juice, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day. To serve, stir well and pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lime slices, if desired.