Summer is here, and it’s time to soak up the sun, enjoy the long days, and indulge in all the delicious seasonal treats. That’s why we’ve put together some easy and delicious summer recipes and drinks that are perfect for those hot summer days. Whether you’re planning a get-together with friends or a lazy day spent lounging outside, we’ve got you covered.
- Mango Spicy Mocktail
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- Mango juice: 1 ½ cups
- Coconut water: 1 cup
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
- Jalapeños: 2, sliced
- Ginger: ¾ tbsp, grated
- Mint leaves: As required
Here’s How You Make It:
- Start by adding jalapeños, ginger, and mint leaves to a shaker. Give them a good mash, and then add a mix of lemon juice, coconut water, and mango juice.
- Shake it all until you see it’s perfectly mixed up.
- Strain the drink in a different glass and top off with sparkling water for some extra fizz.
- Don’t forget to garnish each glass with some fresh mint leaves.
- Iced Mocha Colada Mocktail Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- Espresso: 1 shot
- Coconut milk: 1 cup
- Chocolate syrup: 2 tablespoons
- Pineapple juice: 1 cup
- Ice cubes: 5-6 cubes
- Whipped cream: 1-2 tablespoons
Here’s How You Make It:
- Start by grabbing a blender and filling it with ice.
- Next, add a shot of espresso, some coconut milk, chocolate syrup, pineapple juice, and a handful of ice cubes into the blender.
- Mix all the ingredients until they are well combined, smooth, and creamy. Once done, take a tall glass and carefully pour the mixture into it.
- To give the drink a fancy touch, garnish it with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or whipped cream and a slice of pineapple.
- Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- Espresso: 2 shots
- Chocolate syrup: 4 tablespoons
- Soda water: 1 cup
- Heavy cream: 1 small cup
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons
Here’s How You Make It:
- To make the mocktail, you will need to combine espresso, syrup, and soda water in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes very frosty.
- For the whipped cream, whisk heavy cream and sugar in a bowl until soft peaks start to form.
- Spoon the whipped cream over the mocktail and smooth the top with a spoon.
- To add some crunch to the mocktail, crush three Oreos by placing them in a zip-lock bag and crushing them with the bottom of a glass or rolling pin.
- Sprinkle the crushed Oreos over half of the whipped cream. Your drink is ready to be savoured.
- Mango Coconut Popsicles:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
- Ripe Mangoes: 2 peeled
- Coconut Milk: 1 cup
- Desiccated coconut: 1/2 teaspoon
- Maple syrup: 2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)
Here’s How You Make It:
- To make these popsicles, start by adding some juicy mangoes to a blender or food processor and blend until they’re crumbly.
- Next, add some creamy coconut milk and a drizzle of sweet maple syrup, and blend again until you have a smooth mixture.
- Add some shredded coconut and give it a quick pulse until everything is well-mixed.
- Pour this popsicle mould, making sure to leave a little bit of space at the top.
- Now, insert the popsicle sticks and pop the mould into the freezer for 6-8 hours.
- When ready, remove the mould from the freezer, run it under lukewarm water to loosen the popsicles, and wiggle them out.
- You can sprinkle some desiccated coconut on top, and voila, your mouth-watering mango popsicles are ready to be enjoyed.
- Texas Caviar
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 8
Ingredients:
For Vegetables
- Black-eyed beans: 3 cups, cooked
- Black beans or pinto beans: 1 ½ cups
- Corn: 1 ½ cups
- Red bell pepper: 1
- Tomatoes: 1 cup
- Green onions: 3
- Jalapeño (optional): 1, medium
- Chopped cilantro: ½ cup
- Salt: 2 teaspoons
For dressing
- Lime juice: 2 tablespoons
- Apple cider vinegar: 4 tablespoons
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Cumin powder: ½ teaspoon
- Oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Olive oil: 4 tablespoons
Here’s How You Make It:
- Finely chop all of the vegetables and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the vegetables and mix everything together thoroughly and evenly.
- Next, take a separate bowl and whisk together apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic powder and cumin powder.
- While continuing to whisk, gradually pour in the olive oil until the dressing becomes smooth.
- Now, pour the dressing over the prepared vegetables and mix everything together well.
- Allow the mixture to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible, to allow the flavours to develop.
- When ready to serve, scoop the mixture into a serving bowl and pair it with your favourite dipping vessel—such as chips, nachos, or pita bread—to enjoy this delicious and healthy vegetable dish!
- Garlic Tomato Bruschetta
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- Olive oil: 1/4 cup
- Basil: 3 tablespoons, chopped
- Garlic: 3 to 4 cloves
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Tomatoes: 4 medium, diced
- Parmesan cheese: 2 tablespoons, grated
- French bread: 1 loaf
Here’s How You Make It:
- Start by taking a large mixing bowl and add oil, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well until all the ingredients are mixed.
- Next, gently add the tomatoes to the mixture and toss them with the dressing until they are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle some cheese over the top and mix once again.
- Once done with the tomato mixture, refrigerate it for at least an hour to allow the flavours to meld together.
- When you’re ready to serve, take the tomato mixture out of the fridge and let it come up to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, slice the French bread into pieces and toast them under the broiler until they’re lightly browned.
- Once toasted, top each slice of bread with the tomato mixture, and serve immediately.
Ready to Satisfy Your Cravings with These Delights?
These summer recipes are perfect for those hot and humid days when you want to cool down with something delicious and refreshing. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a quick snack, these appetisers, mocktails, and desserts are sure to satisfy your cravings. So go ahead and try them out!
