12 Summer Drinks to Beat the Pakistani Heat
When it's 40°C outside, nobody wants to spend 20 minutes making a drink. These twelve summer drinks are cold, quick and made with ingredients you probably already have: lemons, mint, milk, ice and a good syrup or fruit puree.
Fizzy Coolers
1. Mint Lemonade
Blend 30 ml of Mint Syrup, the juice of one lemon, a handful of mint leaves, water and ice. For the frosty restaurant version, see our Mint Margarita recipe.
2. Blue Lagoon
30 ml Blue Curacao Syrup, 15 ml lemon juice and lemon-lime soda over ice. Full method in our Blue Lagoon recipe.
3. Green Apple Soda
25 ml Green Apple Syrup, a squeeze of lime and soda water. Sour, sharp and very refreshing.
4. Pomegranate Cooler
25 ml Pomegranate Syrup, 15 ml lemon juice and soda, garnished with a few fresh pomegranate seeds when they're in season.
5. Strawberry Lime Soda
Our Strawberry Lime Soda is sweet, tart and ready in three minutes.
Iced Teas
6. Peach Iced Tea
Brew strong black tea, let it cool, then pour 150 ml over ice with 25 ml of Peach Iced Tea Syrup. Add a lemon slice.
7. Lemon Iced Tea
The same method with Lemon Iced Tea Syrup. For a fizzy version, try our Lemon Tea Soda.
Creamy and Blended
8. Mango Smoothie
Blend 60 g of Mango Puree with 200 ml cold milk and a cup of ice. It tastes like mango season all year round.
9. Strawberry Milkshake
Blend 60 g of Strawberry Puree, 200 ml milk and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
10. Chocolate Frappé
Blend Chocolate Frappé Powder with milk and ice for a café-style frappé. See our frappé at home guide.
Coffee for Hot Days
11. Iced Caramel Latte
Espresso or strong coffee, cold milk, ice and 20 ml Caramel Syrup. Full method in our Iced Caramel Latte recipe.
12. Cold Brew with Vanilla
Make cold brew overnight, then serve over ice with 15 ml of Vanilla Syrup and a splash of milk. Learn the difference in our guide to cold brew vs iced coffee.
Quick Comparison
| Drink | Time | Needs a blender? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Lemonade | 5 min | Yes | With lunch or dinner |
| Blue Lagoon | 3 min | No | Parties, guests |
| Green Apple Soda | 2 min | No | A quick refresher |
| Pomegranate Cooler | 2 min | No | Dinner parties |
| Peach Iced Tea | 10 min (incl. brewing) | No | Afternoons |
| Mango Smoothie | 3 min | Yes | Breakfast or snack |
| Iced Caramel Latte | 3 min | No | Coffee lovers |
Tips for Colder, Better Summer Drinks
- Chill everything first. Keep soda, milk and glasses in the fridge. Warm ingredients melt ice quickly and water the drink down.
- Use lots of ice. A glass packed with ice melts more slowly than a glass with a few cubes.
- Add fizz last. Pour soda slowly down the side of the glass and stir only once.
- Sweeten with syrup. Sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold drinks; syrup mixes in instantly.
- Fresh garnish matters. A mint sprig or lemon wheel makes a home drink look and smell like a café drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most refreshing drink for hot weather?
Light, fizzy, citrus-based drinks like mint lemonade, lemon iced tea and Blue Lagoon feel the most refreshing. Plain water is still the best choice for staying hydrated through the day.
How much syrup should I use per glass?
Start with 20–30 ml for a 300 ml glass and adjust to taste. Iced teas and coffees usually need less (15–25 ml) than fizzy mocktails.
Can I make these drinks for a big group?
Yes. Mix the syrup and lemon juice in a jug in advance and keep it chilled, then add ice and soda to each glass when serving.
Are these drinks alcohol-free?
Yes. Every drink on this list is alcohol-free, and Melina syrups are alcohol-free and halal friendly.
Can I make lower-sugar versions?
Use less syrup and more lemon and soda water, or try Melina sugar-free syrups. Check the label for ingredients.
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