Summer Sipper
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Living in Spain sounds glamorous — and to be fair, it often is. But the summer heat? That’s not just a temperature; it’s a full-body experience. British expats quickly learn that once June hits, the only reasonable goals are: staying cool, staying upright, and staying hydrated. But after your fifth glass of warm water, you start thinking — surely there’s a better way?
There is. You just need drinks that actually do something — cool you down, hydrate you properly, and maybe even give your skin a little glow in the process. And no, that doesn’t mean turning into a smoothie-obsessed wellness guru. It just means being clever with what goes in your glass.
Let’s keep coconut water at the top of the list — it earns its place. It’s naturally packed with electrolytes, especially potassium, which helps replenish what the sun is stealing from you. It’s a post-beach must. Keep it in the fridge and drink it cold, ideally with a slice of lime or poured over ice.
But if you want to mix things up, try chia lime water with sea salt. It sounds odd — until you try it. Add a teaspoon of chia seeds to cold water and let them sit for ten minutes. They’ll form little jelly bubbles, which are surprisingly refreshing. Squeeze in lime juice and add a pinch of good-quality sea salt. It hydrates, helps your body retain essential minerals, and keeps you feeling full longer, which is ideal when the heat kills your appetite.
Next: frozen grape green tea coolers. Brew some green tea, chill it, mix in a splash of apple juice, and toss in a handful of frozen grapes instead of ice cubes. It looks gorgeous, keeps the drink cold without diluting it, and gives you a built-in snack once the tea’s gone. It’s lazy luxury at its finest.
One of the easiest — and most photogenic — options is a watermelon slush. Just freeze chunks of watermelon, then blitz them in a blender with coconut water and a dash of lime. It’s hydrating, packed with vitamin C, and feels like a cocktail without the dehydration. Add a sprig of mint if you’re feeling fancy, or don’t — it’s brilliant either way.
If you’re after something savoury for warm evenings, muddle cucumber and fresh basil in a glass, add sparkling water, and finish with a few drops of apple cider vinegar. Yes, vinegar. It gives a tangy little kick that weirdly works. Serve it in a wine glass and you won’t even miss the G&T (well, maybe just a little).
The key to surviving the Spanish summer isn’t just hydration — it’s hydration that doesn’t bore you to tears. These drinks are quick to make, light to sip, and clever enough to actually help you through the heat.
So the next time you feel yourself melting by 11am, skip the sugary soft drinks and try something that cools you from the inside out. Hydrated, glowing, and just a little smug? That’s the summer expat dream.
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