Hydration Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
Staying properly hydrated matters more in mid-August than almost any other point in the year, but plain water can feel like a chore to keep up with when temperatures are at their peak. These five drinks make hydration more appealing without loading up on sugar, offering refreshing options that range from simple infused water to a more involved iced tea blend.
Cucumber Mint Infused Water
This is one of the simplest ways to make water more appealing without adding calories or sugar. Slice half a cucumber thinly and add it to a pitcher of water along with a handful of fresh mint leaves, lightly crushed to release their oils. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least two hours, ideally overnight, so the flavors have time to infuse fully.
The combination is genuinely cooling in more than just temperature—cucumber has a naturally crisp, watery quality, and mint provides a light, refreshing aftertaste that makes plain water noticeably easier to drink in larger quantities throughout a hot day.
Watermelon Basil Agua Fresca
Agua fresca is a light, not-too-sweet blended fruit drink, and watermelon—at peak ripeness in mid-August—makes an excellent base. Blend about four cups of seeded watermelon chunks with a handful of fresh basil leaves and the juice of one lime until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh strainer if you prefer a smoother texture without pulp.
Dilute with a cup or two of cold water depending on how concentrated you’d like it, and serve over ice. The basil adds an unexpected herbal note that keeps this from tasting like simple watermelon juice.
Iced Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea has a naturally tart, deep red color and a flavor reminiscent of cranberry, and it holds up exceptionally well served cold. Steep four hibiscus tea bags (or a quarter cup of loose dried hibiscus flowers) in four cups of just-boiled water for about ten minutes, then strain if using loose flowers.
Sweeten lightly with honey or sugar while the tea is still warm, since sweetener dissolves more easily at that stage, then chill completely before serving over ice. A few fresh mint leaves or a slice of orange make a nice garnish and add a subtle additional layer of flavor.
Ginger Lemon Sparkling Refresher
For something with a bit more zip, combine fresh ginger and lemon in a way that delivers a genuinely invigorating cold drink. Simmer a few tablespoons of thinly sliced fresh ginger in a cup of water with a few tablespoons of sugar for about ten minutes to create a ginger simple syrup, then let it cool and strain out the ginger pieces.
Mix a few tablespoons of the ginger syrup with fresh lemon juice and top with cold sparkling water over ice. The ginger provides a warming, slightly spicy contrast to the cold, carbonated base that makes this feel more substantial than a typical sweetened drink, despite using a modest amount of sugar.
Berry Mint Mocktail
This one is built to feel like a special occasion drink without any alcohol. Muddle a handful of fresh berries—raspberries or blackberries work particularly well—with a few mint leaves in the bottom of a glass, add ice, and top with a combination of sparkling water and a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice for color and depth.
Garnish with a few whole berries and a mint sprig. The muddling step is what makes this feel more crafted than simply mixing juice and soda—it releases the berries’ juice and the mint’s aromatic oils directly into the glass rather than relying entirely on pre-made juice.
Keep Something Cold and Ready
Having one of these prepared and chilled in the refrigerator makes it far easier to stay ahead of hydration needs during the hottest stretch of the day, rather than reaching for water only once thirst has already set in. Most of these keep well for a day or two, making it easy to have a pitcher ready to go through the rest of August’s heat.
