Here are some drinks with a refreshing twist to keep you hydrated during summer. By Team Viva

Now that summers are here, ways to stay hydrated will take centrestage. Water, for obvious reasons is the first choice. Apart from that, one can try other drinks, salads, more carbs, coconut water and more to remain hydrated.

Here are some drinks with a refreshing twist.

The Oberoi has come up with Green Rush by combining spinach leaves, green apple, celery sticks, cucumber and lemon juice. You need to blend all the ingredients until smooth, add crushed ice, garnish with a celery stick and serve chilled.

It has several nutritional benefits. Cucumber is a great source of antioxidants and provides hydration to the body. Celery contains a plant compound called apigenin, which is anti inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and an antioxidant. Spinach is a great source of iron and vitamin A and green apple provides both vitamins A and C to the body.

Another drink that it has to offer is Banana Spice Smoothie. Mix banana, moringa leaves, coconut milk, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. Blend the spinach and coconut milk until smooth, add the bananas, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom and blend again. Ginger helps in reducing inflammation, aids digestion and helps the body detoxify naturally. Moringa helps in balancing digestive system and in improving eye sight. Banana is high in anti-oxidants and helps in moderating blood sugar levels. It is a rich source of fibre and helps in weight loss.

Chef Anshu Raj, Caterspoint suggests Watermelon Basil Coconut Limeade to up your health game. Combine ripe watermelon, fresh basil leaf or soaked basil seeds with fresh lime, roasted cumin and coconut water. Don’t forget the ice cubes.

First take the watermelon, wash it thoroughly, peel and chop in about half inches cubes. Now take fresh coconut water and pour in mixer. Then add lime juice, basil leaves or soaked basil seeds and stir well along with six to eight ice cubes. Now add watermelon cubes. For an Indian flavour, you can add roasted cumin seeds which go very well with the mix. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add honey to your limeade.

He shares another summer favourite  to beat the heat — Watermelon Mojito Cooler. Add Sprite or sparkling water, mojito syrup, lime juice and ice cubes in ripe watermelon.

Take watermelon, wash it thoroughly, peel the skin and cut into half inches cubes. Then take a mixer, add Sprite or soda, lime juice and mojito syrup. If you don’t have mojito syrup you can make it at home with sugar, lime juice and crushed mint leaves. Add that to your cooler. Now add ice cubes in a mixer and stir before adding watermelon. Pour the mixture in a tall glass and garnish with fresh mints .

Apart from keeping you hydrated, it helps you to fight heart problems, is good for hair, skin and your digestive system.

Vinayak Gupta, chef and partner at Beep, Agra shares an immune booster elixir which keeps one hydrated too. It can be made by combining wheat grass, apple, carrot, celery stick, lemon, chopped ginger, garlic clove (optional) and turmeric. Put all ingredients in a jar, juice them and drink immediately. If you prefer the drink to be chilled, place all ingredients in the fridge for at least half an hour before processing

All these refreshing drinks will certainly leave you wanting for more.