Man, is it hot or what? Each year when the temperatures climb I look for ways to keep myself hydrated. Water and sports drinks are great, but sometimes you’re looking for something a little more over the top.

Here are some of my favorite drink recipes. These are great for after you’ve been working out in the sun or to enjoy with your family at a BBQ. I hope you find them refreshing!

Peach Orange Iced Tea

Ingredients:

-1 large peach, sliced

-1 clementine, peeled and segmented

-1 tablespoon sugar

-8 cups boiling water

-4 Ear Grey tea bags

Directions:

Place peach, clementine, and sugar in a pitcher. Mash the fruit using a spoon; add water and tea bags and stir. Refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour. Remove fruit and tea bags using a slotted spoon.

Lemon Mint Iced Tea

Ingredients:

-1 quart water

-3/4 cup sugar

-6 regular tea bags

-1 peppermint tea bag

-1/4 frozen lemonade concentrate

Directions:

Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat; remove from heat, then stir in sugar until dissolved. Add the tea and peppermint tea bags, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove tea bag and stir in the lemonade. Serve tea over ice.

Pink Flamingo Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients:

-10 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

-1 cup diced mango

-1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

-1/2 milk

-1/4 cup honey

-8 ice cubes

-4 fresh strawberries

Directions:

Put strawberries and mango in a blender; add yogurt, milk, honey, and ice cubes. Blend on high until smooth and thick. Pour smoothie into 4 glasses and garnish each with a fresh strawberry.

Floating Island Punch

Ingredients:

-2 cups water

-2 cups white sugar

-12 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate

-12 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate

-1 pint orange sherbet

-1 liter ginger ale

-1 liter carbonated water

-1 jar maraschino cherries

-1 orange, sliced in rounds

-4 cups ice

Directions:

-Bring water to a boil. Add the sugar and boil until it becomes a syrup. Let cool.

-In a punch bowl combine lemonade, orange juice, ginger ale, and carbonated water. Mix in the sugar syrup. Add ice and sherbet. Just before serving add cherries and cherry juice and float orange slices on top.

Cheers! And stay cool!