People don’t look forward to the intense heat and humidity of summer, but there is something else to look forward to. The very best thing about this time of year is the variety of fruit available — cherries, peaches, lychee and, of course, mangoes. While an elaborate fruit salad seems like the obvious choice, there are so many other ways to use them as well. These fresh fruit drinks, served ice cold, are the perfect antidote to beat the summer heat. Besides being delicious, they’re full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and will instantly reenergise you after a long day.

Lychee mango cooler

Ingredients

2 cups peeled lychee (about 24 lychees) 1 cup cubed mango (1 large or 2 small mangoes)

1 cup coconut water (or plain water) 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar A pinch of salt 1 cup ice

Sweet, juicy, and loaded with vitamins, fruits keep you refreshed through the hot spell

Method

Remove lychee flesh from the seeds. Add diced mango, coconut water (or water), sugar, salt and ice. Blend until smooth. Strain if desired. Serve over ice.

Serves four.

Watermelon peach juice

Ingredients

2 cups cubed watermelon, seeds removed 1 cup peeled and chopped peaches A pinch of salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup ice

Method

Blend the watermelon, peach, salt, sugar and ice to a blender until smooth. Pour in glasses and serve over ice. Serves three to four people.

Cherry banana milkshake

Ingredients

1 cup pitted cherries 1 banana 1 cup milk 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar ½ cup ice

Method

Add the cherries, banana, milk, sugar and ice to a blender, and blend until smooth. Serve chilled.

Serves two.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 17th, 2016