Iced Tea, Lemonade, and Milkshakes: 15 Icy Cold Drinks

updated May 25, 2023

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It’s a long weekend! Ready to hit the back porch? Is it still hot out? Here are 15 icy-cold drinks to beat the heat. We left all the cocktails off the list; these are kid-friendly and just fine for sipping at 10am. There’s a green tea milkshake, and another one made of strawberries and ice cream. There are fruity aguas frescas, and Thai iced tea. There are spritzers, smoothies, and a shakerato! Read on for lots and lots of chilly summer goodness.

Personally, I am wildly craving a watermelon agua fresca — maybe one topped off with a splash of soda water? I really can’t get enough fizzy water in the summertime. The smoothies are calling to me too, though — something fruity, something sweet?

Icy Cold Drinks

1 / 15

How To Make Strawberry Lemonade

This refreshing pitcher drink, made with juicy strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice, is great for lemonade stands and family cookouts alike.

2 / 15

How To Make Lemonade from Scratch

Ditch the simple syrup for the easiest homemade lemonade ever.

3 / 15

Watermelon Basil Agua Fresca

Watermelon and basil served together in a glass of lime and sugar over ice in the middle of summer is nothing short of perfection.

4 / 15

Honeydew-Basil Agua Fresca

Simply throw your fruit of choice in a blender with some water, sweeten to taste and serve.

5 / 15

Orange and Elderflower Spritzer

This drink mixes orange juice with sparkling mineral water and elderflower syrup for a floral, sweet, and tangy flavor.

6 / 15

Blend matcha powder with milk, sugar, and ice for a shake that gives you a frothy, green jolt.

7 / 15

Mango Yogurt Smoothie

This super-quick, super-easy smoothie is icy cold, and not too sweet, but very refreshing. All that yogurt is cool and tangy, and a good ripe mango provides all the sweetness you need.

8 / 15

How To Make a Perfect Strawberry Milkshake

Creamy, thick, pale pink, just strawberry-strawberry-strawberry — all as it should be. Here's how to make your own.

9 / 15

Frozen Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Milkshake

This thick, creamy, chip-studded shake is lighter than our usual milkshake indulgences.

10 / 15

Strawberry Lassi

This light and refreshing strawberry lassi provides some relief on hot days.

11 / 15

How To Make Sweet Tea

It's not summer until there's a pitcher of sweet tea in the fridge. Here's how to make a batch everyone will enjoy.

12 / 15

How To Make Iced Coffee - French Press Method

This cold brew French press recipe makes the best iced coffee.

13 / 15

Caffè Shakerato con Gelato

For a summertime treat that’s a snap – or a shake – to create, consider the shakerato. This gelato-infused version makes a quick yet elegant after-dinner coffee and dessert rolled into one.

14 / 15

How To Make Thai Iced Tea

I used to reserve this drink for a treat when eating at Thai restaurants, but recently discovered that making your own Thai iced tea is surprisingly easy.

15 / 15

How To Make Boba & Bubble Tea

Bubble tea is the most thirst-quenching snack I can think of, and fortunately, it's super easy to make at home.

What’s your favorite cold and icy, or chilly and creamy, summer drink? What’s keeping you cool?

Related: Recipe Roundup: 20 Summer Cocktails with Fresh Herbs

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