Chill Out with Family-Friendly Summer Drinks

From backyard cookouts to poolside treats, these summer drinks for kids are the perfect way to chill out.  Get ready to beat the heat with drink recommendations and recipes from staff at the library. All these recipes can be easily made at home with a short list of ingredients and you can control the sweetness.

Are you ready to become the coolest house on the block this summer?

Arnold Palmer, opens a new window

Named for the famous golfer Arnold Palmer, this drink is a mixture of iced tea and lemonade. You can order this drink at most restaurants year round too. Since everyone likes their mixtures a little bit different, you can create your own custom blend by changing the ratio of tea and lemonade, using flavored black teas or flavoring your lemonade.

Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch, opens a new window

For this recipe you’ll be using fresh blackberries, chilled sweet tea, cold water, lime juice and ginger beer.

Golden Punch, opens a new window

Since you’re using mostly frozen ingredients, this punch can be made and served all year round! 

Ingredients include frozen lemonade concentrate, frozen orange juice concentrate, frozen tangerine concentrate (mango is also a tasty addition if you can’t find tangerine), water, ginger ale and ice cubes.

Horchata, opens a new window

This tasty, sweetened rice drink needs to rest for 8 hours or overnight, but the flavors are well worth the wait.  You’ll need rice, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sweetener.

Staff member suggestion: You can make this recipe with oat milk and a granulated sugar substitute and still have great results.

Limonada de Coco (Coconut Limeade), opens a new window

You’ve heard of cherry limeade, but have you tried coconut limeade? This Columbian favorite includes cream of coconut, ice, lime juice and sugar, all blended into a sweet frothy drink for sipping.

Root Beer Float, opens a new window

Root beer floats are a classic combination of cold root beer and creamy vanilla ice cream. If you want to really impress your guests, try these tips!

• Before you make your drink, rinse your glass with cold water and pop it in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will give you that frosty effect to keep your drink ice cold.
• Another trick is to add your ice cream to the cup ahead of time and set that in the freezer to harden for 5-10 minutes, then pour in your root beer and top your creation with whipped cream and a cherry.

Strawberry Spritzers, opens a new window

This recipe requires a little extra prep time for you to make your own shrub (a concentrate made from aromatic plants, sugar and vinegar), but once that’s made you can easily whip up a batch of spritzers any time you need a sweet pick me up.

Tahn (An Armenian Yogurt Drink), opens a new window

This creamy and refreshing yogurt drink can be customized with additions of cucumber, mint or other fresh herbs. 

Watermelon Lime Refresher, opens a new window

Staff member suggestion: Combine watermelon juice, Sprite, plum bitters and seltzer. Stir with a sprig of rosemary and serve over ice.

Looking for more ways to celebrate summer? Explore summer events, blogs and book lists including summer drinks for adults and more.