Coolers, Teas, and Tropical Twists: Summer Drinks You Can Make at Home

The UAE heat doesn’t play around. Step outside for five minutes and you’re already rethinking your life choices. Some days, even the AC feels like it’s giving up. And that’s exactly when a good, chilled drink can make all the difference.

Have you ever come back home, tired and overheated, and all you want is something cold that actually makes you feel human again? Not store-bought or loaded with sugar—just something light, refreshing, and made with a bit of love.

In this article, you’ll find easy and refreshing summer drink recipes that are perfect for surviving these hot months, whether you're working, relaxing, or hosting friends.

Hibiscus & Pomegranate Iced Tea

A vibrant and tangy iced tea infused with floral notes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp hibiscus tea
• ¾ cup hot water
• 1–2 tbsp honey (to taste)
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• ½ tsp rose water
• Crushed ice
• Mint leaves for garnish

Method:

1. Steep hibiscus tea in hot water for a few minutes, then strain.
2. Add honey to the hibiscus tea and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, gently crush pomegranate seeds with lime juice and rose water, then strain the juice.
4. In a glass, combine crushed ice, pomegranate-lime juice, and hibiscus tea.
5. Stir and garnish with mint leaves.

Tadgola Mango & Coconut Cooler

A tropical delight combining the sweetness of mango with the unique texture of ice apple (tadgola).

Ingredients:

• 3–4 tadgolas (ice apples), peeled and chopped
• ½ cup coconut water
• ¼ cup ripe mango, diced
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. In a glass, add diced mango, honey, and lime juice. Mix well.
2. Add ice cubes, followed by chopped tadgola.
3. Pour in coconut water and sprinkle chia seeds on top.
4. Stir and enjoy!

Strawberry Iced Tea

A refreshing blend of strawberries and green tea, perfect for hot days.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh strawberries
• 2 green tea bags or 2 tbsp green tea
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Honey to taste

Method:

1. Brew green tea in hot water and let it steep for a few minutes. Remove tea bags and let them cool.
2. Blend strawberries into a puree.
3. In a pitcher, combine strawberry puree, cooled green tea, cold water, lime juice, and honey. Mix well.
4. Serve over ice.

Mango Frooti Mogu Mogu

A homemade version of the popular mango drink with added coconut jelly for texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced Alphonso mangoes
• ½ cup diced raw mango
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1.5 cups cold water (adjust for desired consistency)

For Coconut Jelly:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tsp agar agar
• 2 tbsp sugar

Method:

1. Prepare coconut jelly by heating coconut water, sugar, and agar agar until it boils. Pour into a mold and refrigerate until set.
2. Blend both mangoes into a smooth paste. Cook with sugar until it thickens. Strain for a smooth consistency.
3. Mix the mango pulp with cold water.
4. In serving glasses, add coconut jelly cubes, pour mango drink over, and garnish as desired.

Mango Coconut Sago

A creamy and chewy dessert drink combining mango, coconut, and sago pearls.

Ingredients:

• 1 Alphonso mango
• ½ cup coconut water
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp condensed milk
• ¼ cup sago (sabudana), soaked and boiled
• ½ cup regular milk
• Ice cubes
• ¼ cup tender coconut pieces
• ¼ cup mango chunks

Method:

1. Blend mango with coconut water to make a puree.
2. In a bowl, combine boiled sago, condensed milk, and regular milk.
3. Add mango puree, tender coconut pieces, and mango chunks. Mix well.
4. Serve over ice.

Mogra Sabza Cooler

A fragrant and cooling drink combining mogra (jasmine) syrup, butterfly pea tea, and sabza (basil) seeds.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tsp butterfly pea tea
• Mogra syrup (prepared by simmering mogra flowers with sugar and water)
• 1 tsp sabza seeds, soaked
• Crushed ice
• Lime wedge

Method:

1. Brew the butterfly pea tea in warm water for 1–2 minutes, strain, and set aside.
2. In a glass, add crushed ice, mogra syrup, soaked sabza seeds, and the brewed tea.
3. Squeeze a lime wedge over the drink to change its color.
4. Stir well and enjoy!

Matcha Strawberry Drink

A delightful blend of earthy matcha and sweet strawberries.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp matcha powder
• 3–4 strawberries
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ½–1 tsp sweetener (like maple syrup)
• 2–3 tbsp hot water (around 80°C)
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. In a bowl, whisk matcha powder with hot water until frothy.
2. Chop strawberries and muddle them with sweetener in a glass.
3. Add ice cubes, pour in milk, and top with the whisked matcha.
4. Stir gently and enjoy!

Tropical Hwachae (Korean Fruit Punch)

A vibrant and fruity punch perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients:

• Chopped fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and tender coconut
• 1 tsp agar agar
• Coconut water
• Sweetener (optional)

Method:

1. Prepare coconut jelly by dissolving agar agar in coconut water and letting it set.
2. In a bowl, combine chopped fruits and coconut jelly.
3. Pour in coconut water and add sweetener if desired.
4. Serve chilled.

Orange & Ginger Iced Tea

A zesty and spicy twist to your regular iced tea.

Ingredients:

• Juice of 2 oranges
• 2 green tea bags
• 2 cups hot water
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp lime juice
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Brew green tea in hot water and let it cool.
2. In a bowl, mix orange juice, honey, lime juice, and grated ginger.
3. Combine the mixture with the cooled green tea.
4. Serve over ice.

Strawberry Cooler

A refreshing drink to beat the summer heat.

Ingredients:

• 6–7 fresh strawberries
• 15 ml lime juice
• 30 ml of honey
• Soda water
• Ice cubes
• Lime slice for garnish

Method:

1. Muddle strawberries, lime juice, and honey in a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime slice.

When the heat outside feels like it’s never-ending, it’s the little things—like a chilled glass of something fruity or floral—that bring a bit of comfort back into your day. These drinks aren’t complicated or over-the-top, but they do exactly what they’re supposed to: help you cool down and enjoy the moment.

All of these recipes come from Saloni Kukreja, whose style is all about keeping things easy, creative, and full of flavour. If you’ve enjoyed these, it’s worth checking out more of her work for even more food and drink ideas that feel fresh and doable.

So the next time you’re feeling drained by the summer sun, you’ll know exactly what to make.

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