When temperatures soar and bodies get hot during the summer there are many ways in which people can choose to cool down. Some just sit in the shade, others take a cool shower and others still fan themselves. All of us, though, like a cool, refreshing drink to bring the temperature down.

Make up a jug of your favourite drink, toss in some ice cubes, pour into a chilled glass, sit back and sip it down while you bask in the sun or hide in the shade, nothing beats a cold drink on a hot day.

Here are some of the most popular drinks to keep cool with during the summer months.

Sodas & Pops

A can or bottle of your favourite soda is possibly the most popular drink consumed to keep cool. Straight from the fridge or poured over ice in a glass, the likes of cola, lemonade and other citrus-flavoured sodas like Mello Yello or Mountain Dew are a great way to cool down and relax.

Iced Tea / Coffee

Not the most popular, perhaps, but certainly one of the most effective drinks to keep cool, iced tea (or coffee) provides a cooling effect as well as a boost in energy and alertness from the caffeine. They do taste great as well, so for those that haven’t tried it, give it a go, you won’t regret it.

Adding lemon to an iced tea gives it a bit of zing too – try that, it’s delicious.

Water

Without doubt water – ice water specifically – is THE most effective way to cool down on a hot day, especially if you’ve been doing some form of physical exercise. It’s the drink that will quench your thirst the fastest. The only real downside is that it doesn’t have the best ‘flavour’ in the world – but no other drink will make you feel as refreshed and that’s guaranteed!

Beer

One mainly for the men this. Imagine you’re working away in the garden, the sun is out, the temperature is high. You’ve worked up a sweat and you’re dying of thirst. What could possibly be more appealing than a cold glass of beer, served up straight from the fridge in a glass from the freezer? Nothing, that’s what!

Wine

And one for the ladies. Sitting about chatting with friends, enjoying the sun and the warmth with a chilled bottle of white wine like a chardonnay or a rose is a great way to spend a summer’s day. Very relaxing, very sociable and a good way to unwind from a busy week.

Cider

Cider is possibly one of the most refreshing alcoholic summer drinks there is. The fact that it is made from apples just makes it all the more summery and it can be enjoyed by men and women alike, of course. Drink it straight from the bottle or on top of LOADS of ice for the perfect summer drink to have at parties and the like.

Just remember to not overdo it, especially with the alcohol – there’s always too much of a good thing, remember and you don’t want to make yourself ill!

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of American Soda, online retailers of American drinks like Mello Yello and Mountain Dew.

Category: Food and Drinks
Keywords: summer drinks, refreshing drinks, soda, water