Drinks to try this spring

LUTHO PASIYA

WHEN I think of a perfect spring afternoon, it is not complete without a refreshing and cool beverage. It’s that time of the year when you may find yourself greeting the morning with a cup of tea only to find yourself reaching for an icy beverage. While alcoholic drinks do make for a nice treat, the most enticing mixtures of the season are completely alcohol-free, and better yet, they come with a pack of wellness benefits. Whether you want to give your immune system a boost or soothe painful muscles after an intense workout, these healthy drinks burst with flavour and real-food ingredients that will nourish your body and give it the energy it needs.

Pineapple, cucumber, and ginger juice

Ingredients: 2 medium-sized pineapples 5 medium-sized cucumbers 1 thumb of ginger Half a cup of rind water Half a cup of ice

Method: Throw everything in a blender. Blend on high speed, strain, and serve. Tip: Always pulsate your blender at intervals while blending, no matter what blender you’re using.

Berry Oat Smoothie

Ingredients: 2 medium-sized pineapples 5 medium-sized cucumbers 1 thumb of ginger Half a cup of rind water Half a cup of ice

Method: Whizz all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Antioxidant-rich Berry Smoothie

Ingredients: 1 cup of milk ½ cup plain Greek yoghurt ½ cup frozen raspberries ¼ cup of frozen strawberries ¼ cup frozen blueberries 1 banana 1tbs chia seeds 4-5 ice cubes

Method: Blend till smooth. Add some pretty fruit to finis

Watermelon rosé frosé

Ingredients: 1 standard 750ml bottle of rosé (non-alcoholic) ½ cup fresh watermelon syrup, recipe below ½ cup fresh watermelon juice ½ lime, juiced Watermelon slices for garnish

Watermelon syrup: ½ cup fresh watermelon juice from about 2 cups of fresh watermelon cubes; cup of sugar

Method: The night before, pour the rosé into two ice cube trays (you might need three trays depending on the size, but two should do it) and freeze. When it’s time to make the frosé, place the ice cubes, watermelon syrup and juice, and juice from half a lime in the blender. Blend until it has a slushy-like consistency.