As the temperatures rise, there's nothing more refreshing than a cool, invigorating drink to keep you comfortable. One of my favorite ways to stay hydrated and beat the heat is by making herbal lemonades. These delightful beverages not only quench your thirst but also utilize herbs known as "refrigerants" – natural coolants that help regulate your body temperature. Herbs like lavender, chamomile, hibiscus, peppermint (and other mint varieties), and lemon balm are fantastic for this purpose, and I've got three kid-approved, naturally colored herbal lemonade recipes to share with you today.

Why Herbal Lemonades?

Herbal lemonades are a great way to incorporate the health benefits of various herbs into your diet. Herbs like hibiscus, peppermint, and lemon balm have cooling properties that help keep your body cool during hot summer days. Plus, using natural colorants instead of artificial dyes makes these drinks a healthier option for everyone, especially children. Artificial dyes have been linked to various health concerns, so opting for natural alternatives is always a better choice.

Sourcing Your Ingredients

 When sourcing herbs, it's important to choose high-quality products. While Amazon is a convenient option, I always recommend purchasing from a supplier within the US that has USDA certified organic products. Look for the USDA organic symbol on the packaging. If you're local to Columbus, Ohio, I highly recommend Raisin Rack in Westerville. They have a self-serve area with organic herbs sourced from Frontier Co-op, a reputable herbal supplier. Store-bought herbal tea bags from the grocery store work well too!

Now, let's dive into these delicious recipes.

Blue Herbal Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 52 ounces of store-bought lemonade (Simply Light Lemonade with stevia is our favorite)
• 1 liter (approx. 4 cups) of boiled water
• 1/4 cup of dried herbs (lavender, chamomile, bee balm, and peppermint are great choices)
• Blue spirulina for color (start with 1/8 tsp and adjust to achieve desired color)
• 1 large lemon

Directions:

1. Brew the water.
2. Add all herbs to a tea bag/ball while the water is boiling
3. Once boiled, remove the water from heat and pour over the herbs.
4. Steep for 3-7 minutes (steeping longer may result in bitterness).
5. Pour the herbal tea into the lemonade.
6.  Slowly add blue spirulina while continuously stirring to avoid clumping. Adjust the amount to achieve the desired blue color.
7. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon, reserving a few slices for garnish.
8. Add fresh herbs as a garnish if desired.
9. Refrigerate until cold or serve immediately over ice.

Want to try natural skincare that utilizes blue spirulina? try our Infused Face Balm | blue tansy, blue chamomile + blue spirulina

Purple Herbal Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 52 ounces of store-bought lemonade (Simply Light Lemonade with stevia is our favorite)
• 1 liter (approx. 4 cups) of boiled water
• 1/4 cup of dried herbs (lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, and peppermint are great choices)
• 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers for color. (may substitute this ingredient for Elderberries, but note that the fun color changing reaction from blue/green tea to purple will only occur when butterfly pea flowers are used. Elderberries will yield an already purple tea).
• 1 large lemon

Directions:

1. Brew the water.
2. Add all herbs, including butterfly pea flowers, to a tea bag/ball while the water is boiling.
3. Once boiled, remove the water from heat and pour over the herbs.
4. Steep for 3-7 minutes (steeping longer may result in bitterness).
5. Pour the herbal tea into the lemonade and watch as it turns purple (the butterfly pea flowers react with the acidity of the lemonade).
6. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon, reserving a few slices for garnish.
7. Add fresh herbs as a garnish if desired.
8. Refrigerate until cold or serve immediately over ice.

Want to try natural skincare products that contain lavender and chamomile? Try these products below!

Soothe & Calm Clay Mask | chamomile + lavender

Herb Infused Face + Body Oil | calendula, chamomile, lavender, red clover

Herb Infused Illuminating Body Oil 

Chamomile Face + Body Oil

Pink Herbal Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 52 ounces of store-bought lemonade (Simply Light Lemonade with stevia is our favorite)
• 1 liter (approx. 4 cups) of boiled water
• 1/4 cup of dried herbs (rosehips, rosebuds, and lavender are great choices)
• 3 tbsp dried hibiscus (for color)
• 1 large lemon

Directions:

1. Brew the water.
2. Add all herbs, including hibiscus, to a tea bag/ball while the water is boiling.
3. Once boiled, remove the water from heat and pour over the herbs.
4. Steep for 3-7 minutes (steeping longer may result in bitterness).
5. Pour the herbal tea into the lemonade.
6. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon, reserving a few slices for garnish.
7. Add fresh herbs as a garnish if desired.
8. Refrigerate until cold or serve immediately over ice.

Want to try natural skincare products that contain hibiscus and rose? Try these products below! 

Gentle Exfoliation Clay Mask | rose + hibiscus

Facial Cleansing Grains | cleanse, remove makeup + exfoliate

Herbal Salt Bath Sachet

Kid-Approved and Health-Conscious

I love making these herbal lemonades because my picky eater children approve of all three! They enjoy the vibrant colors and delightful flavors, and I feel good knowing that they're drinking something healthy and natural. Using naturally colored juices is so much better for their health compared to artificial dyes, which can have negative impacts on their well-being.

So, whether you're looking to cool down on a hot summer day or want to introduce your family to healthier drink options, these herbal lemonades are a perfect choice.

Enjoy!