Summer Heat On Ice

Whether you've just run five kilometers in the blazing heat or lumbered between climate-controlled office and air-conditioned home, nothing is more welcome on a sweltering day than a cool drink in a tall glass.

Of course, the best thing to drink in the heat is water.  When exposed to extreme temperatures -- very hot or very cold -- our bodies use more water just to maintain their normal temperature.  In hot weather , the average adult loses about 10 cups, or 2.5 liters, of water a day.

Many of us reach for lemonade, iced tea or a soft drink, but there are more exotic thirst-quenching alternatives from around the world. Some are salty, others sweet, and they're made with milk, tea, coffee, fruit juice, even yogurt or rice milk.

There are drinks such as shikhye, ginger-flavored rice milk, lightly sweetened, to beat the heat.  Or an old-fashioned Korean favorite called "soo jeong gwa", a cinnamon and persimmon punch that was steeped for hours before serving.

In Tokyo children beg their mothers for money to buy "ramune", a bubbly bottled drink they'd stuff marbles into and shake madly to create fizz.  The grownups all the while were sipping iced green tea.

In India , where the temperature soars to 40 degrees C, salty drinks are considered the most thirst-quenching.  There's the traditional yogurt-based lassi, served salt, flavored with cumin or coriander, or sweet, with rosewater and pistachio nuts.  Fresh lime sodas, with a pinch of salt or a hint of sugar are sold at roadside stands throughout India .

The old-fashioned Polish refresher called "kwas" is a decidedly acquired taste; it's the color of prune juice, made from black bread soaked in water with yeast and sugar. "Better than cola".  It's naturally carbonated, not too sweet.  All you need is one glass and you're good for hours and hours.

Here are a few of my favorite cold non-alcoholic drinks from around the world, none quite so unusual as "Baranska's Kwas":

Moroccan Iced Mint Tea

Moroccans drink sweet tea all day, every day, in little ornamental glasses served on elaborate trays.  Usually it's hot, but it's also refreshing served cold.  Sometimes lemon or grated gingerroot are added.

one quart boiling water

2 tablespoons green tea

1 bunch fresh mint leaves, sprigs intact, plus extra for garnish

3 tablespoons sugar

Wash mint under running water.  Put tea, mint and sugar in a teapot, pour boiling water into the pot and let steep for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once or twice.  Strain into a pitcher and let cool.  Serve in Moroccan tea glasses or others glasses on hand, garnished with mint leaves, with a bowl of sugar if extra is needed. Makes 4 servings. Per Serving: Calories 35, Protein 0g, Fat 0g, Carbohydrates 9g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 0g.

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Mango Lassi

Here's an incredibly simple and really delicious fruity version of the Indian classic. 

2 cups mango juice

1/2 cup fresh mango, sliced

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

Fresh mint leaves

Puree mango juice, mango, yogurt and honey in a blender until smooth.  Serve cold in tall glasses garnished with mint leaves. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: Calories 135, Protein 2g, Fat 1g, Carbohydrates 30g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 40mg.

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Sparkling Colombian Fruit Punch

Called a salpicon, this punch has the festive flair of sangria without the alcohol. 

1 cup peeled and diced fresh pineapple

2 navel oranges, peeled (with white pith removed) and diced

1/2 small papaya, peeled, seeded and diced

2-1/2 cups chilled cranberry juice

1 cup lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up)

Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Combine pineapple, oranges, papaya, cranberry juice and lemon-lime soda in a pitcher or punch bowl.  Serve over ice, garnished with mint sprigs.  Makes 4 to 6 servings. Per Serving: Calories 125, Protein 1g, Fat 0g, Carbohydrates 33g, Fiber 1g, Sodium 15mg.

One of the things I love about summer is sitting outside on a balmy evening sipping a refreshing cocktail, something a bit out of the ordinary.  I do hope you enjoy our above recipes from around the world.  If you are in a hurry these recipe s will do nicely.

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Susan Rutter: Author, publisher, nutritionist, instructor assists patients and the public make healthy choices and changes in their lives. Healthy YOUbbies Email: sm.rutter@sympatico.ca  Subscribe: 2550-subscribe@zinester.com  Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/healthyoubbies/home.html

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