The Ultimate Guide to Cold Drinks: Refreshing Beverages for Every Occasion

Summer has a long day and a long night but no one likes the heat. In such cases, drinks come to the rescue with their extremely gratifying cold taste. All kinds of cold beverages help a great deal in slicing away the heat – be it alcohol free sparkling drinks, frozen coffee, or a tropical mocktail. In this blog we will focus on the types of cold drinks, how they affect health, and how one can target the best drinks satisfying their preference. 

What are the different types of Cold Drinks?

Carbonated Soft Drinks: Brands like Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Sprite have created the market for sodas and have dominated it over the years which explains many people’s preference. These fizzy drinks have endless recipes which make it stand out amongst others and enhances the experience.   

• Juices: Organic juices that are made out of fruits have their own version of love. Orange, apple, and grapes are one of the few which rank the best in the health portion so it is no surprise why these are loved. Freshly made juices are a vital option since it does not include sweeteners yet is still extremely nutritious.  
• Mocktails: Mocktails are a life saver for alcohol hating individuals as they offer the same vibe but exclude alcohol. Jargon such as syrups, herbs, and juices are combined to create an exquisite beverage that is sure a treat. Mocktails that are widely known include Virgin Mojito and Shirley Temple.
• Iced Tea and Coffee: Iced tea and coffee are other alternatives to caffeine that aid in replacing the hot drink with ice. Currently, iced latte, cold brew as well as bourbon and lemon or peach flavored iced tea seem to be a popular favorite.
• Smoothies and Milkshakes: Smoothies are a delicious beverage made of blended fruits or vegetables, yogurt, and even ice cream, while milkshakes are made of ice cream and milk, both can be very filling. In fact, they can perfectly work as a snack or a meal.
• Energy Drinks: Due to the vast array of stimulants and caffeine present in energy drinks such as red bull and monster, they work to uplift an individual’s energy levels. Nonetheless, since these drinks contain high sugar levels, they should be consumed judiciously. 

Cold Beverages’ Nutritional Factors

Cold drinks on their own taste quite nice and provide an immediate cooling effect, but there are a few factors to be cautious of: 

• Sugar Levels: Sodas and energy drinks are effective means of weight gain owing to their high sugar content, thus this is likely to lead to tooth decay at some point and even diabetes at a greater scale. So, always try to choose low to zero sugar content. 
• Calories: Using full fat ingredients such as full-cream milk to make smoothies is a recipe for disaster, they can lead to obesity and other complications over the passage of time, to prevent being unhealthy use skim milk instead.
• Artificial Additives: Some sodas and bottled beverages have the inclusion of artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives. These at times trigger allergic disorders in some people or take a toll on their health in the long run. The label should always be read.
• Caffeine Level: There are cold coffee, tea and energy drinks that have high amounts of caffeine in them. Caffeine in moderation can have a positive effect on a person's health; however, when taken in excess, it can result in nerves, sleep loss, and an increased heart rate.
• Hydration: Cold beverages are not the same in terms of hydration. Beverage containing caffeine, such as iced tea and fresh juice have good hydrating properties; however, onother beverage such as soda or energy drink can cause an opposite effect and make you feel more thirsty because of its caffeine content and ingredients used.

Tips for Choosing Healthy Cold Drinks

• Reading Labels: Check the nutrition label for sugar, calorie, and caffeine content before making your purchase. Choose ready to drink beverages that use organic materials and contain little or no additives.
• DIY Beverages: If you want to make your own drinks, try combining cold drinks with smoothies made of fresh fruit, iced tea, or mocktails that can be made fresh at home.
• Stay Hydrated: Preferably choose water infused with fruits such as lemon and cucumber for a healthy hydrating beverage, rather than soda or energy drinks.
• Mild Caution Is Advisable: In order not to make the body work extra with the amount of food intake, make sure that there is variety in the form of herbal teas along with fresh fruit juices as they will make a lasting impact. To balance out the variety of juices consumed, water may serve as a suitable option.
• Discover And Explore New Combinations: Adding spices and other herbs that may not be very common such as mint, basil or cinnamon can turn the whole drink around and add a nice hint to it while skipping the calories.

Cold Beverages That Are Widely Known Around the Globe

• Lassi (India): An Indian classic, lassi is known for its cooling features in scorching hot climates. It is a yogurt-based drink, and it can be sweet or salty. 
• Bubble Tea (Taiwan): Exclusively made of tea and includes delightful chewy pearls of Tapioca that has taken the globe in a twist right with a sip, widely available in different blends and can be iced or even blended. 
• Agua Fresca (Mexico): It is a fruit based beverage of Mexican origin that is composed of water, sugar and fruits, and a splash of sweetness makes the concoction a competition. Watermelon, tamarind and hibiscus are some common varieties. 
• Karak Chai (Middle East): In numerous countries it is just as common to drink it cold, while others prefer it hot. The tea is flavored with spices and condensed milk, which gives the tea a rich and sweet flavor. 
• Frappe (Greece): Frappe is a cold coffee blend used by greeks containing sugar, water and instant coffee, it is considered a go to drink in summers.

Conclusion

The necessity of beverages beyond water often entails the inclusion of a range of flavors and thus might lead to some negative health outcomes if not chosen suitably. It is sensible however to limit the negativity posed by the beverage of your choice while still reaching and relishing the appeal of cold soft drinks. There is always some option which will satisfy the thirst without getting all the health constraints.

Explore: Food and Health: The Importance of Food Labels and What They Mean