Sip Smarter This Summer: 4 Delicious Drinks That Hydrate While You Enjoy The Summer Heat

Summer in Michigan hits different. Whether you're hanging out at Gallup Park, hitting up a backyard BBQ, or catching live music at Top of the Park, staying hydrated while enjoying a drink (or two) is key, especially when the temps hit the 90s.

To help you beat the heat without sacrificing flavor, we put together two refreshing cocktails and two electrolyte-packed mocktails that are perfect for summer. Each drink includes ingredients that help replenish your body with potassium, magnesium, sodium, or calcium, all essential for hydration and recovery.

🍹 Summer Cocktails That Won’t Leave You Parched

1. Coconut Water Mojito

A tropical twist on a classic. Coconut water naturally contains potassium and magnesium to keep you hydrated while still letting you enjoy your rum fix.

Ingredients:

2 oz white rum

4 oz coconut water

Juice of 1 lime

6 mint leaves

1 tsp honey or agave (optional)

Crushed ice

Directions:

Muddle the mint and lime juice in a glass. Add ice, rum, and coconut water. Stir and garnish with mint and lime.

2. Salted Watermelon Margarita

Sweet, salty, and hydrating thanks to watermelon and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt—this one is a summer MVP.

Ingredients:

2 oz tequila

2 oz fresh watermelon juice (strained)

1 oz lime juice

½ oz triple sec or orange liqueur

Pinch of pink salt

Ice

Directions:

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a watermelon wedge.

🧃 Mocktails That Actually Help You Hydrate

1. Cucumber Electrolyte Cooler

Crisp, refreshing, and sneaky good for hydration. Add a pinch of salt to replace lost sodium after a day in the sun.

Ingredients:

½ cucumber, juiced or muddled

Juice of ½ lemon

6 oz electrolyte water (like Smartwater or LMNT mixed)

1 tsp honey or stevia

Pinch of sea salt

Ice

Directions:

Combine cucumber, lemon, honey, and salt. Add ice and electrolyte water. Stir it up and garnish with cucumber.

2. Citrus Coconut Punch

Bright and energizing, this mocktail mixes coconut water with citrus juices for a hydrating punch that’s anything but boring.

Ingredients:

4 oz coconut water

2 oz orange juice

1 oz pineapple juice

Splash of sparkling water

Optional: pinch of magnesium powder or a dash of electrolyte mix

Ice

Directions:

Shake the juices and coconut water with ice. Pour into a glass, top with sparkling water, and stir in any optional mix. Garnish with an orange slice.

Final Tips:

If you're drinking alcohol in the heat, try alternating each drink with a tall glass of water or one of these mocktails.

You can also freeze coconut water or watermelon juice into ice cubes for a bonus hydration boost.

Got a favorite summer drink? Tag @AnnArborHub and share it with us!