Admit it. Hydration, while essential, gets old. This is why I felt an obligation to my community to share these simplistic and refreshing summer water infusions. Most of us are looking to “slim” down a bit during summer, and these clever concoctions will help get us there. I recommend you consume them in a morning, noon and night pattern for best results.
LOVE JUICE
The first is a version of the master cleanse I like to call “Love Juice” because nothing feels as good as being healthy and happy in your skin. Love yourself with this amazing potion!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Ingredients:
1 8-ounce glass H2O
2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tablespoon lemon juice (or half a lemon)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon *local honey
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients and mix well.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
2. Drink fast with straw while standing in your kitchen, so you can make your “Slim Juice” to go.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
SLIM JUICE
My favorite all day, everyday summer drink is my “Slim Juice.” It curbs my appetite and provides me with hydration during my summer school class and commute. An added bonus is that the seeds I suck up in my straw keep me alert in class, giving me that extra edge of anticipation. This drink will curb your appetite immediately and quench your thirst all day long.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Ingredients:
12 to 18 ounces H2O in your BP free, eco-friendly large water bottle
1/2 grapefruit (squeezed into water)
5 to 7 slices of cucumber
2 to 3 fresh mint leaves
1/2 lemon (squeezed & sliced)
1/2 lime (squeezed)
Directions:
1. Pour water into your container.
2. Squeeze grapefruit, lime and then lemon.
3. Add in cucumber & lemon slices, followed by fresh mint.
MANGO-MAMA
Then, there’s the piece de la resistance, the nightcap, the smooth operator and goddess of all fruit infusions: the “Mango-Mama,” from our Photo Director Jocelyn Hsu’s amazing mama.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 3
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Ingredients:
1 mango, cut and frozen
2 cups mango juice
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 large handful of ice cubes
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to blender.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
2. Blend until smooth. (Tip: Add more mango juice if your blender has a hard time blending.)
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
3. Enjoy!
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
THE MARITZA
There are many variations on this drink. From the true smoothie version to my favorite: a variation on Anheuser-Busch‘s new Malt Liquor Beverage, the “Mango-Rita.” I take one Mango-Rita and slightly enhance it, as demonstrated by my talented neighbor Maritza (unless I get lazy, in which case I just add a shot into my can).
Prep Time: 7-10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
1 or 2 cans of “Mango-Rita”
1 or 2 shots of chilled Vodka
1 mango
1/2 to 1 cup ice
Directions:
1. Peel skin away from mango meat and discard. Slice to remove seed.
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
2. Add all ingredients into a bullet or blender and mix well.
3. Pour into your red or blue plastic cup, and voila! Pure bliss! Keep it simple and drink responsibly. Or be responsible, then simply drink. After all, it’s five o’clock somewhere.