One of the best parts of a hot summer day is sitting down with a cold, refreshing drink. Whether it’s a sharp lemonade, a fruity iced tea, or something spiked just enough to take the edge off, these drinks get the job done. They’re easy to mix up, big on flavor, and way more interesting than whatever’s sitting in a bottle on the bottom fridge shelf.

Roasted Peach Lemonade

Roasting the peaches gives this lemonade deeper flavor and brings out the fruit’s natural sweetness. It feels like something you’d sip at a café, but it’s easy enough to make in your own kitchen. This is a great example of how non-alcoholic summer drinks can still have real character without needing anything extra.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Peach Lemonade
Strawberry Basil Lemonade

The combination of fresh strawberries and basil makes this lemonade a little more exciting than the usual pitcher on the porch. Honey adds just enough sweetness without being too much. This is a drink that’s light, flavorful, and easy to pull together for any summer hangout.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Cranberry Raspberry Chia Lemonade

Tart cranberries and sweet raspberries mix with chia seeds for a drink that’s as interesting to sip as it is to look at. It has enough texture to double as a light snack and feels like a smart way to break up your usual rotation. It’s refreshing, filling, and works well for hot days when you want something with substance.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Raspberry Chia Lemonade
Matcha Green Tea Lemonade

This drink brings together the earthiness of matcha and the bright acidity of lemon in a way that feels balanced and fresh. It’s quick to make and has just enough caffeine to replace your afternoon iced coffee. This is a solid go-to when you want something cold that still keeps you alert.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Green Tea Lemonade
Rhubarb and Strawberry Lemonade

Rhubarb syrup and strawberries team up to create a lemonade that’s just the right mix of sweet and sharp. It tastes like summer in a glass and looks great served over ice. I like making this one for picnics because it holds up well and feels a little more fun than plain lemonade.
Get the Recipe: Rhubarb and Strawberry Lemonade
Homemade Peach Sweet Tea

Brewed black tea and peach syrup combine to make a drink that’s rich and fruity without being heavy. The syrup is easy to make ahead and turns regular iced tea into something you’ll want to keep stocked in your fridge all season. It’s one of those drinks that always tastes better homemade.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Peach Sweet Tea
Limbu Sarbat

This Indian-style lemonade is made with lemon juice, cardamom, and fresh mint for a drink that’s cooling and just slightly spiced. It’s simple to throw together and makes a nice break from sugary fruit blends. If you want something with real flavor but no alcohol, this one holds its own.
Get the Recipe: Limbu Sarbat
Passion Fruit Iced Tea

Tart passion fruit gives this iced tea a tropical kick without needing any syrups or complicated steps. It’s bold, refreshing, and easy to scale up if you’re serving a crowd. This one is great for those afternoons when you want something more interesting than plain tea but don’t want to spend extra time on it.
Get the Recipe: Passion Fruit Iced Tea
Blackberry Lemonade

Fresh blackberries give this lemonade a rich color and deep fruit flavor that stands out without being too sweet. It takes just a few ingredients but tastes like you spent more time on it. Drinks like this make it easy to skip the store-bought stuff and still serve something that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Blackberry Lemonade
Frozen Lemonade Slush

This icy slush version of lemonade skips the booze but still delivers serious refreshment. It’s thick, tart, and perfect for the hottest part of the day when you need something that cools you down fast. All you need is a blender, some lemons, and a few minutes to make it happen.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Lemonade Slush
Blueberry Lemonade

Blueberries and lemon juice come together in a drink that’s sharp, sweet, and perfect for warm weather. The blueberry syrup is easy to make ahead and gives the lemonade a deeper flavor that doesn’t taste flat or watered down. It’s a good pick when you want something fruity but not too sweet.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Lemonade
Berry Lemonade

This drink combines a mix of fresh berries with lemon juice to create a bright, colorful drink that works well at any summer gathering. It’s easy to adjust based on what berries you have and always feels like a crowd-pleaser. It’s proof that you can get big flavor without adding anything extra.
Get the Recipe: Berry Lemonade
Raspberry Lemonade Spritz

This version skips the cocktail and leans into flavor instead, using fresh raspberry puree and sparkling water for a fizzy, tart drink that feels light and fun. It’s a good non-alcoholic option for hot evenings or anytime you want something bubbly that doesn’t need a mixer.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemonade Spritz
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

This one is made with just four ingredients and skips the blender entirely, relying on fresh strawberries and lemon juice for real flavor. It’s easy, fast, and one of those drinks that works for any time of day. Keep a batch in the fridge and you’ll always have something good ready to go.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Fresh Strawberry Iced Tea

Sweet strawberries and black tea balance each other out in this drink that takes about ten minutes to make. It’s lightly caffeinated and not too sugary, making it a great alternative to soda or store-bought iced tea. This is one I reach for when I want something light that still has flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Iced Tea
Mint Lemonade

Fresh mint and lemon juice come together in this clean, three-ingredient drink that feels crisp and cool without being overly sweet. It’s refreshing, fast to make, and something you can easily mix up by the pitcher. Great for afternoons when you want something cold and simple.
Get the Recipe: Mint Lemonade
Peach Lemonade

This lemonade uses ripe peaches to add a soft sweetness that balances perfectly with fresh lemon juice. It tastes like summer and works well in big batches for cookouts or just to keep on hand during a heat wave. It’s easy to make and disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Peach Lemonade
Iced Matcha Tea Latte

Matcha powder and milk (dairy or not) are all you need for this easy drink that’s refreshing and just lightly energizing. It’s a great alternative to expensive matcha lattes from coffee shops and tastes just as good when served cold over ice.
Get the Recipe: Iced Matcha Tea Latte
Fresh Peach Iced Tea

This tea uses fresh peaches and brewed tea for a drink that’s light, sweet, and worth keeping stocked all summer. It’s not overly sugary and has enough natural flavor to feel refreshing without being overwhelming. Serve it cold and it works with just about anything.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Iced Tea
Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade

This lemonade uses blended watermelon and strawberries for a bold, juicy drink that’s sweet, tart, and completely summer-friendly. It’s a good one to make when watermelon is everywhere and you want something other than another fruit salad.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade
Thai Iced Tea

This classic drink is made with strong black tea and sweetened condensed milk for a bold, creamy drink that’s best served ice cold. It feels like dessert but still pairs well with meals, and it’s just as good without anything added.
Get the Recipe: Thai Iced Tea
Lavender Lemonade

A quick lavender syrup turns basic lemonade into something floral and slightly herbal without being too perfume-heavy. It’s the kind of drink that works as well at brunch as it does in a tall glass next to a book and some quiet time.
Get the Recipe: Lavender Lemonade
The BEST Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

This version leans into freshness, using real strawberries and lemon juice for a drink that feels clean, sharp, and easy to make. It’s one of those recipes that becomes a staple after the first time you try it.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Honey Mango Lemonade

Ripe mango and a spoonful of honey mix into this lemonade for a drink that’s thick, flavorful, and naturally sweet. It blends up easily and keeps well in the fridge, making it great for prepping ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mango Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade

This lemonade gets a boost from blended watermelon that gives it color and natural sweetness without needing extra sugar. It’s great for hot days and makes use of one of summer’s most abundant fruits in a way that’s quick, refreshing, and worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Lemonade
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.









