Refreshing Chinese Summer Drinks: Easy Home Recipes for Energy & Cooling

Growing up, “ice” was never a very acceptable solution for hot days. Yes, you can put some ice in hot beverages to help cool them down but mom did not want to see the ice cubes floating in the drinks. Yes, you can put the drinks in the fridge so they get cold and are refreshing. Ice was “okay” if one was desparate and about to throw a big tantrum because of the heat. Instead of sugary drinks, we were more used to the concept of having a glass of tea that was made of ingredients that were meant to rid of the heat and excess humidity accumulated in our bodies. The idea of using ice to cool down the heat was considered “bad” for our bodies as it was like having a battlefield inside.

For summer time, the idea is Pingbu (平補）

What is Píngbǔ? In the heat of summer, our bodies need “gentle nourishment” rather than heavy supplements. These drinks are designed to clear heat without shocking your digestive system.

That being said, all the following drinks can be consumed in different seasons, and they taste equally good served warm or cold.

Tips While Preparing Summer Drinks

• When in doubt, prepare the drinks with less water.
  If anything, you can always water it down but it will be more tricky to do it the other way around. And since it is likely you will be serving the drinks with ice for a hot day (though Asian moms will be shaking their heads at this), make the beverage slightly stronger than intended.
• Easy on the sweetener.
  First, for health reasons, obviously. Second, it usually tastes sweeter after it cools down. Three, you can easily add more syrup or sugar to your taste, but it will be silly to dilute the whole thing down if it is too sweet.

Precautions for the Summer Drinks

Besides your general precautions such as avoiding items you are allergic to, making sure the source of your ingredients are reliable, some of the ingredients used below are considered “cooling” for our bodies, so consume in moderation (just like you would with other food.) A couple other precautions are as following:

• Mensturation period: though not completely contraindicated, try to consume these drinks around this period of time.
• “Cold constitution”: if you are always cold, even on a warmer day, these drinks might not be your best choice.
• Sensitive digestive system: again, use cautions. Have a small amount first, and if your stomach hurts, or it causes loose stools, don’t have more.
• Drug interaction: if you are taking prescription medications, especially diuretics and blood pressure-related medications, it will not be unwise to consult with your provider.
• Sweetner: though not your typical “unhealthy sugary drinks”, be aware of how much sweetner you are using.

Chrysanthemum & Goji Berry Tea 菊花枸杞茶

Chrysanthemum is the cooling ingradient in this drink. Both chrysanthemum and Goji berries are great for our eye health.

Sour Plum Drink 酸梅湯

Sour plums trigger salivation and are affective in stimulating the appetite, perfect drink for a hot summer day. Hibiscus is also rich in antioxidants and acts as natural diuretics.

Lemon Mint Tea 檸檬薄荷茶

Wise minds think alike; this drink is definitely universal. It helps with bloating and is rich in Vitamin C. Just the smell of mint and lemon helps soothing the heat and humidity.

Mung Bean Barley Soup 綠豆薏仁湯

Mung beans and barley are both considered “cooling” thus beneficial to rid of the heat in our bodies. Mung beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, gut health, and satiety. Barley is known to be rich in antioxidents and has been utilized in toners for skin care.

Jujube Goji Berry Drink 紅棗枸杞茶

I was a little hesitant to include this drink. Technically speaking, this might be a more suitable drink for other seasons, but for me, it helps with the fatigue and “cold” during my period, so I make this drink still in summer.

Find a book and/or a dish that you can enjoy with these summer drinks!