It's so tempting to reach for the ice cream when you want a cool, tasty treat on a hot summer day. But while the occasional ice cream cone won't hurt, there are healthier options out there to help cool you down. Here are some ideas for cool, healthy summer treats you can make this summer.
Frozen Fruit
Cool Drinks
Ice lollies
Granita
Make a refreshing granita (think slushy) by boiling together 100g sugar and 300ml water. Once the sugar has dissolved, leave to cool. Puree 800g fruit in a blender then add to the cooled sugar mix. You could use 800ml fruit juice instead.
Once well mixed, transfer the mix to a shallow container and freeze for 2-3 hours. Once set, scratch or fluff the surface of the granita with a fork until you get your desired texture (coarse or fine). Return to the freezer for another hour then rake the surface again before serving.
Try flavours like strawberry, watermelon, lime, lemon, mango, pineapple, apple, grape, passion fruit and raspberry. Or combine a few to make your favourite. Kids love making these!
Pin it:
Frozen Fruit
- Blueberries, strawberries, and grapes make wonderful snacks right out of the freezer. You can also blend them into frosty fruit smoothies. (Dieters say that frozen grapes help curb their cravings for naughtier sweet treats.)
- Chunked up watermelon, cantaloupe melon, honeydew melon, and pineapple are also very good frozen. They make good smoothies as well.
- Sliced peaches, nectarines, and kiwis can be frozen on greaseproof paper-covered trays. Then pull the slices off and freeze them in zip-top plastic bags. These are also very good in smoothies or eaten right out of the freezer.
- Frozen fruit-kebabs are fun. Thread chunks of fruit onto skewers and freeze on a tray lined with greaseproof paper.
Cool Drinks
- Try freezing fruit juice or fruit puree into ice cube trays. Pour soda or sparkling water over a glass full of them for a fizzy drink.
- Fruit sorbet has far less fat than ice cream. Put a scoop or two in a glass and pour soda water over it.
- Fruit purees can also be mixed with cold still or sparkling water for a refreshing drink.
Ice lollies
- Who doesn't love ice lollies? Making healthy ones is good for grown-ups and kids alike, and well worth investing in an ice lolly making kit.
- Home-made ice lollies are a great way to get fresh fruit and fruit juices into your kids. (You can even sneak in a few veggies.) You could freeze commercial veggie/fruit juice into lollies, or blend carrots or some greens into your favorite fruit juice. Pure fruit purees can be frozen as lollies as well.
- Try pureeing fruit, yogurt, vanilla, and honey to freeze into creamy lollies.
Granita
Make a refreshing granita (think slushy) by boiling together 100g sugar and 300ml water. Once the sugar has dissolved, leave to cool. Puree 800g fruit in a blender then add to the cooled sugar mix. You could use 800ml fruit juice instead.
Once well mixed, transfer the mix to a shallow container and freeze for 2-3 hours. Once set, scratch or fluff the surface of the granita with a fork until you get your desired texture (coarse or fine). Return to the freezer for another hour then rake the surface again before serving.
Try flavours like strawberry, watermelon, lime, lemon, mango, pineapple, apple, grape, passion fruit and raspberry. Or combine a few to make your favourite. Kids love making these!
We may earn a small commission for products purchased through links in this article.