What if a drink could actually become a little everyday pleasure? It’s not a dream! Certain ingredients are well known for how well they go together. All you need to do is get to know them and use them wisely to make the most of their flavours. Today we’re sharing six homemade drink ideas, perfect for enjoying as part of a balanced diet: lemon, mint & cucumber, green tea & cinnamon, tomato, sage, green tea & grapefruit, and banana, each with its ingredients and method.
Lemon, mint & cucumber water
On top of its fresh taste, this first recipe is also light. The mint is a favourite after meals, the ginger adds a bit of zing and the lemon is a classic in light drinks. Cucumber completes it for even more freshness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber
- 1 handful of chopped mint
- 1 squeezed lemon
- 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 1.5 litres of water
Method:
Start by steeping the mint and ginger in 1.5L of hot water for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel the cucumber and blend it until you get a slightly thick liquid.
Then combine everything, adding the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Refrigerate overnight and enjoy the next day throughout the day.
Green tea & cinnamon
Green tea is a great natural homemade drink: it is also simple to make and provides a useful option when you’re choosing your drink, hot or cold.
Here, we pair it with spices and lemon to give the flavour a boost, helping you enjoy more variety, even day to day.
Agave syrup, finally, adds a touch of sweetness if needed.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 litres of hot water
- 2 green tea bags
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 squeezed lemon
- 2 tsp agave syrup
Method:
Steep the green tea and spices in boiling water for about 30 minutes. Then add the lemon juice and agave syrup if you’d like a touch of sweetness.
Enjoy hot or cold, however you like, throughout the day!
Tomato, parsley & basil drink
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe tomato
- 5 cl of water
- A few sprigs of parsley
- 4 basil leaves
- 1 pinch of celery salt
- A wedge of organic lemon
- Pepper
Method:
Start by washing the tomato and cutting it into cubes. Then squeeze the lemon juice and set aside the zest. Blend all your ingredients together and strain through a fine sieve.
Pour into a glass and garnish with lemon zest and basil leaves — then enjoy!
Sage infusion
Sage is the ideal plant for maintaining a warm little ritual and adding delicious flavour to infusions.
Ingredients:
- 6 sage leaves
- 25 cl of water
- Half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Method:
Boil the sage leaves in water for a few minutes, then add the lemon juice and honey, stirring to combine. You can enjoy this drink warm, at whatever time of day suits you!
Green tea & grapefruit
Green tea for its refreshing effect and grapefruit for a tangy touch: a perfect combo for a light drink!
Ingredients:
- 1 litre of green tea
- 2 grapefruits
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 2 cm of ginger
Method:
Simply brew your green tea as usual, then pour it into a saucepan with the grated ginger. Add the honey and grapefruit juice, then leave to simmer on a low heat for a few minutes. And it’s ready!
Banana & oat bran smoothie
- Half a ripe banana
- Half a pot of Greek yogurt
- 10 cl of oat milk
- 2 tsp of oat bran
- A pinch of ground cinnamon
Method:
Start by peeling the banana and cutting it into large chunks. Then blend with all the other ingredients until you get a smooth, creamy mixture.
For a frappé-style effect, add a few ice cubes to the blender! Pour into a glass, dust with cinnamon, and your drink is ready!
Which of these drinks should you choose?
It all comes down to taste. If you love something refreshing, the lemon, mint and cucumber water or the tangier green tea with grapefruit are made for you. For a spicy note, go for the green tea and cinnamon, with a kick of turmeric. The tomato, parsley and basil drink offers a savoury option, while the banana smoothie, made with Greek yogurt and oat bran, is thicker and creamier. Finally, the sage infusion is best enjoyed warm, for a cosy moment.
What should you drink every day?
No drink can replace a balanced diet and regular exercise: these recipes are mainly an enjoyable way to vary what you drink. Water remains the basis, throughout the day. Teas and herbal infusions with little or no sugar are good alternatives, and it’s best to cut back on fizzy drinks and very sugary drinks. If you’re thinking of making major changes to your eating habits, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.
These drinks will be your daily companions. Have you also discovered the Cellublue dietary supplement? It’s a concentrated drink made with ingredients such as Cola, Matcha and Guarana, to be taken in line with its directions for use. It isn’t a substitute for a varied, balanced diet or good everyday habits. It also has a deliciously refreshing taste! So if you’re curious, give it a try!
Concentrated green tea, guarana and cola, one dose a day with a meal
- Green tea features in the formula
- Guarana helps reduce tiredness, while cola helps you feel more energetic
- With matcha, the whole green tea leaf
Frequently asked questions
Can a drink help you lose belly fat?
No. No drink can target one area of the body on its own. The recipes in this article, such as the lemon, mint and cucumber water or the sage infusion, are simply ideas to vary what you drink, alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Can you make these drinks in advance?
Yes, some of them. The lemon, mint and cucumber water goes in the fridge overnight and is enjoyed the next day. The green tea and cinnamon can also be drunk cold throughout the day. The tomato drink and the banana smoothie are best made just before you enjoy them.
Do these drinks need sweetening?
Not necessarily. In the green tea and cinnamon, the agave syrup is only added if you’d like a touch of sweetness. The sage infusion and the green tea with grapefruit contain a little honey, while the tomato drink does without it entirely.
Can you have these drinks when pregnant or taking medication?
If you’re pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, the simplest thing is to ask your GP or pharmacist before adding these drinks to your daily routine.
Related articles
- Top 10 homemade drinks: from Sassy Water to kombucha
- Drinks to try daily: from Sassy Water to green tea
- Trendy Wellness Drinks: What Should You Know?
Useful categories: Slimming Nutrition.
