There are some things that simply taste like summer.
Fresh fruit. A squeeze of lemon. A handful of mint. Ice clinking against the glass. Something cold to drink while the afternoon slowly gives way to evening.
So, whether you’re sitting in the garden, stretched out on the balcony or hosting a summer mixer for your friends, here are five refreshing drinks made for slow days.
And yes, they look rather lovely in a Scentsuals vessel, too.
The Founder’s Favourites
Three of our founder's favourite summer combinations; bright, fruity and made for sharing.
These are the kind of drinks that don't need much ceremony. A few fresh ingredients, a blender and a glass with ice are pretty much all you need.
01 — Bright Nectar
Passionfruit · Pineapple · Lemon · Honey
Bright, tropical and just the right amount of sweet.
This is one of the founder's favourites; sunshine in a glass. Passionfruit brings the tang, pineapple adds its tropical sweetness and fresh lemon keeps everything bright. A touch of honey brings it all together.
For 1-2 drinks, use ½ cup fresh pineapple, the pulp of 2 passion fruits, the juice of ½ lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Blend everything together until smooth. Taste and adjust, add a little more honey if you like it sweeter, or another squeeze of lemon for more zing.
Serve over plenty of ice and finish with a little passionfruit on top.
The mood: Morning on Mediterranean balcony.
02 — Tropical Blush
Pineapple · Strawberry · Lemon
A little sweeter, a little softer and very easy on the eyes.
Fresh strawberries and pineapple make a naturally fruity combination, while lemon adds just enough sharpness to keep it refreshing.
Use ½ cup fresh pineapple, about ½ cup strawberries and juice of ½ lemon.
Blend until smooth, pour over ice, garnish with a strawberry and, if you're feeling particularly summery, add a few fresh mint leaves.
The mood: Girls trip brunch.
03 — Ruby Rush
Strawberry · Grapefruit · Lime
For when you want something refreshing with a little more attitude.
Sweet strawberries meet bright grapefruit and zingy lime for a drink that's fruity, citrusy and beautifully vibrant.
Use the juice of ½ grapefruit and the juice of ½ lime.
Blend ½ cup of strawberries with the freshly squeezed citrus until smooth, then pour over ice. Add a splash of chilled sparkling water if you want something a little lighter.
Serve ice-cold and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
The mood: A late afternoon that turns into an evening without anyone noticing.
The Fresh Pour
Two refreshing classics with a lighter, more invigorating feel.
Cucumber, Lime & Mint Cooler
Cucumber · Lime · Fresh Mint · Sparkling Water
Fresh, crisp and wonderfully uncomplicated.
Thinly slice some cucumber and add it to a glass with plenty of ice. Squeeze over fresh lime, add a few mint leaves and top with sparkling water.
Give it a gentle stir and let the ingredients do the rest.
The mood: White linen, open windows and a garden party.
Watermelon & Lime Refresher
Watermelon · Lime · Fresh Mint · Ice
The taste of a proper summer afternoon.
Blend fresh watermelon until smooth, then pour over ice and add a generous squeeze of lime. Finish with fresh mint and, if you like a little sparkle, top with chilled sparkling water.
Cold, juicy and wonderfully refreshing.
The mood: House music & Golden hour on the beach.
The Scentsuals Summer Ritual
The best thing about summer drinks is that they don't need much.
A few fresh ingredients. Plenty of ice. A little sunshine.
Pour slowly, take it outside and ignore the time.
You could make one for yourself while dinner is cooking, serve a few at a summer lunch with friends or keep a jug in the fridge for those moments when you wander into the kitchen simply because it's hot and you need something cold.
And when the sun starts to set, light a Scentsuals candle and let the day change pace.That's A Scentsuals Summer.
**Please only use your Scentsuals vessel for food or drinks after cleaning it thoroughly, removing all wax and the wick before reuse.
A vessel with another story
There's something rather satisfying about giving beautiful things more than one life.
Once your Scentsuals candle has finished burning and the vessel has been thoroughly cleaned, it can become part of your summer rituals too– holding your favourite mocktail, iced coffee, match or whatever you’re pouring on a warm afternoon.
If you enjoyed this inspo, take a look at our Beyond the Burn article, where we explore 9 more ways to give your Scentsuals vessel a second life; from fresh herbs and plants, to bathroom essentials and kitchen storage. Same vessel, new life.
Written by
Luana Pontes
Creative Director, Scentsuals