The 5 Most Refreshing Summer Drinks From Around the World (And Exactly How to Make Each One)

From spicy Indian buttermilk to Mexico’s agua fresca and Southeast Asia’s icy cendol, discover five culturally rich and deeply hydrating summer drinks you can make at home

There’s something universal about the need to cool down when the heat soars—but what people reach for in those moments varies wildly across the globe. From sweet to savory, fizzy to slushy, refreshing drinks often reflect local ingredients, customs, and climate.

In this guide, we highlight five of the world’s most beloved traditional summer drinks—each completely different in flavor and style, but all united by one mission: to chill, hydrate, and revive.

Each drink below links to its own full recipe, so you can learn the history, health benefits, and exact step-by-step process for making them in your own kitchen.

1. Chaas (India)

If you’ve ever found yourself overheating from the inside out, this Indian yogurt-based drink is the perfect cure. Known for its salty, spiced, and probiotic-rich profile, chaas has been consumed for centuries as a way to cool the body and aid digestion in extreme heat.

It’s made with plain yogurt, cold water, ginger, cumin, and fresh herbs—no sugar needed. Learn why this cooling elixir has been part of Ayurvedic tradition for generations .Recipe here.

2. Agua Fresca (Mexico)

Meaning “fresh water” in Spanish, agua fresca is as beautiful as it is hydrating. This fruit-forward drink is typically made from blended fresh produce (like watermelon, cantaloupe, or cucumber), mixed with lime and just a little sugar.

It’s colorful, customizable, and naturally rich in vitamins and hydration. Explore the endless variations in the recipe here.

3. Cendol (Southeast Asia)

Unlike anything in the Western drink world, cendol is part dessert, part drink, and entirely addictive. It features chewy pandan-flavored jelly noodles, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup, all poured over a mound of crushed ice.

Popular across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, cendol is the ultimate answer to tropical humidity. Get the full preparation guide in the cendol recipe here.

4. Switchel (Caribbean and Colonial America)

Also known as haymaker’s punch, switchel is a tangy, vinegar-based drink that once hydrated farmers in the Caribbean and 18th-century America. It’s made with raw apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and a natural sweetener like maple syrup or molasses.

It’s gut-friendly, naturally energizing, and sharp in all the right ways. Tap into this old-world wellness drink with the switchel recipe here.

5. Iced Mint Tea (Morocco)

Traditionally served hot, Moroccan mint tea becomes an unbelievably refreshing iced beverage when brewed strong and chilled. It combines green tea with a fistful of fresh spearmint and just enough sugar to round it out.

The menthol from the mint cools the body from within, while the tea adds antioxidants and depth. Recreate this centuries-old hospitality drink at home with the iced mint tea recipe here

A Refreshing Conclusion

These drinks aren’t just thirst-quenchers—they’re cultural artifacts. Each one represents generations of people living in hot climates who found beautiful, flavorful, and resourceful ways to stay cool without relying on processed ingredients or refrigeration.

Whether you’re blending fruit for agua fresca, whisking yogurt for chaas, or stirring vinegar and ginger for switchel, you’re participating in a global tradition of nourishment and refreshment.