17 Refreshing Summer Drinks for Kids You Can Make at Home

When the weather warms up and the kids start asking for something cold every five minutes, I try to keep things simple and homemade. Store-bought drinks can get expensive fast, and half the time they’re full of things I’d rather skip. I’ve found it’s just easier to make a few fun options at home that I know everyone will actually drink.

Over the years, I’ve picked up a handful of easy drinks that come together with basic ingredients I already have on hand. Fresh fruit, a splash of juice, maybe a little fizz here and there, and you’ve got something that feels special without spending much at all. It’s a nice way to stretch what’s in the fridge and still give the kids something that feels like a treat on a hot day.

This roundup is a mix of our favorites that I come back to all summer long. There are bright, fruity drinks, a few fun mocktails, and some simple classics that never go out of style. They’re all easy to make, easy on the budget, and perfect for keeping everyone cool and happy when the temperatures start climbing.

1. Copycat Taco Bell Baja Blast Freeze

On those really hot afternoons when everyone’s asking for something icy, this is the kind of treat that disappears fast. It’s bright, a little fizzy, and has that fun slushy texture that feels like something you’d grab on a road trip, but you can make it right at home for a fraction of the cost. I like that it only takes a few simple ingredients and a blender, and it’s one of those drinks the kids get excited about without me having to run out to the store.

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2. Copycat Sonic Cherry Limeade

There’s just something about that sweet cherry and tangy lime combo that always hits the spot on a warm day. It’s bright, refreshing, and feels a little special without taking much effort at all. I love that I can make a big batch at home for way less than buying it out, and it’s one of those drinks the kids get excited about the second they see it poured over ice.

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3. Blue Lemonade

Some days you just need something bright and fun to get everyone excited about staying cool. This one has that eye-catching blue color that the kids always notice right away, and it tastes just as good as it looks with that sweet and tangy lemonade flavor. It’s easy to pull together with a few simple ingredients, and it feels a little special without costing much at all, which is always a win in my kitchen.

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4. Strawberry Acai Refresher

When the afternoon heat starts dragging everyone down, this is the kind of drink that perks things right back up. It’s light, fruity, and just a little refreshing without being too sweet, which I always appreciate. I like that I can make it at home for a lot less than grabbing it out, and it’s one of those easy options that feels a bit more fun than plain juice.

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5. Blackberry Mojito Mocktail

Every now and then it’s nice to have something that feels a little more grown-up but is still perfectly fine for the kids. This one has a fresh, fruity flavor with a hint of mint that keeps it light and cooling on a hot day. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients, and it’s a fun way to change things up from the usual juices without spending much at all.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 2 limes
• 1 tablespoon agave syrup
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lime slices and extra blackberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker or a jug, muddle the fresh blackberries and mint leaves together until they release their juices and aromas.
2. Cut one lime in half and squeeze the juice, make sure to remove any seeds that may fall in.
3. Add the agave syrup and give it a good stir to combine all the ingredients.
4. Fill a glass with ice cubes and pour the blackberry and mint mixture over the ice.
5. Top the glass with sparkling water, leaving some space at the top for garnish.
6. Stir gently to mix the flavours together.
7. Drop a few extra blackberries into the glass for added flavor and visual appeal.
8. Give the mocktail a final stir and serve immediately.
9. Optionally, you can garnish the glass with a sprig of fresh mint or a lime wedge on the rim.

6. Blueberry Mojito Mocktail

On days when plain drinks just aren’t cutting it, this one feels like a fun little upgrade. It’s fruity, fresh, and has that light minty touch that makes it really refreshing without being too strong for kids. I like that it comes together with simple ingredients and doesn’t cost much to make, but still feels like something a bit special to serve on a warm afternoon.

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1 lime (for juicing)
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• 2 tbsp honey
• Lime slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a tall glass or jug, muddle the fresh blueberries and mint leaves together using a muddler or the back of a spoon. This will release the flavours and juices from the blueberries and mint.
2. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half into the glass. Stir well to combine the blueberries, mint, and lime juice. Add honey.
3. Fill the glass with ice cubes, leaving some space at the top for the sparkling water.
4. Pour the sparkling water into the glass, slowly and carefully, to avoid overflowing. Stir gently to mix all the ingredients together.
5. Garnish the mocktail with lime slices and mint sprigs for an extra touch of freshness and presentation.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Blueberry Mojito Mocktail!

7. Raspberry Mojito Mocktail

When you’ve got a handful of berries to use up, this is an easy way to turn them into something everyone will enjoy. It’s light, refreshing, and has that little hint of mint that makes it perfect for hot afternoons. I like that it feels a bit different from the usual drinks, but it’s still simple to make and doesn’t cost much at all.

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup raspberries and a few for garnish
• ½ sliced lemon
• 1 can of sparkling water or light-coloured soda of choice
• 5-7 mint leaves
• Ice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add strawberries, mint leaves, and sliced lemon into a jug.

2. Crush them directly in the jug using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon.

3. Pour in the beverage of your choice and stir everything together.

4. Add ice to the jug.

5. Garnish with mint, raspberries, and a slice of lemon if you like.

8. Pineapple Margarita Mocktail

If you’ve got a can of pineapple tucked in the cupboard, this is such a fun way to turn it into something a little more special. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and really refreshing over ice on a hot afternoon. I like that it feels like a treat the kids don’t usually get at home, but it’s still simple to make and easy on the budget.

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9. Pomegranate Fizz Mocktail

If you’re looking to switch things up from the usual juices, this one’s a nice little change. It’s lightly fizzy with a fruity flavor that feels refreshing without being too heavy. I like that it comes together in just a few minutes and feels a bit special, even though it’s made with simple, affordable ingredients I can easily keep on hand.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate juice (pure or from concentrate)
• 1 cup soda water or tonic water (chilled)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
• ½ cup fresh pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
• Lime slices (for garnish)
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Combine the pomegranate juice and fresh lime juice in a large jug and stir gently to mix.

2. Add the chilled soda water or tonic water to the jug and stir carefully to keep the fizz.

3. Fill the jug with ice cubes to keep the drink cold.

4. Add fresh pomegranate seeds and lime slices to the jug for garnish.

5. Add fresh mint leaves on top if you want extra flavor and color.

6. Serve immediately in glasses, making sure each glass has some of the garnishes from the jug.

10. Viral TikTok Jam Seltzer

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure about this one at first, but it turned out to be such a fun little surprise. It’s a clever way to use up that last bit of jam in the fridge, and it comes together in seconds with a splash of something fizzy. The flavor is sweet and fruity without needing anything fancy, and the kids love seeing how it all mixes together right in the glass.

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11. Strawberry Lemonade

Nothing beats a cold, fruity drink when the sun’s out and everyone’s feeling a little overheated. This one has that perfect mix of sweet and tangy, with fresh berries giving it a bright flavor the kids always go for. I like making a big pitcher and keeping it in the fridge so it’s ready to pour whenever someone asks, and it’s such an easy way to turn a few simple ingredients into something that feels a bit special.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup water (for the syrup)
• 1 cup lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons, freshly squeezed)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 4 cups cold water (to dilute)

Optional Add-ins:

• Slices of lemon for garnish
• Whole strawberries for garnish
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, then remove from the heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
2. While the syrup is cooling, blend the strawberries with a little water until smooth. If you want a smoother texture, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
3. Juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice, then strain out any seeds and excess pulp if you prefer a smoother finish.
4. In a large pitcher, pour in the cooled syrup, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and 4 cups of cold water, then stir everything together until well combined.
5. Taste the lemonade and adjust as needed. Add more lemon juice if it’s too sweet, or a bit more water or sugar if it’s too tart.
6. Add ice to the pitcher or individual glasses, then garnish with lemon slices, whole strawberries, and mint leaves if you like, and serve chilled.

12. Passion Fruit Juice

If you’re in the mood to try something a little different, this is such a fun one to add into the mix. It has a bright, tropical flavor that feels really refreshing on a hot day, and it’s a nice change from the usual juices we tend to make. I like that you can adjust the sweetness to suit your family, and it turns a handful of simple ingredients into something that feels a bit special without spending much at all.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 8-10 ripe passion fruits, yielding approximately 1 cup of pulp
• 3 cups of water
• ¼- ½ cup of sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Cut the passion fruits in half and scoop the pulp into a bowl. You should have about 1 cup of pulp from around 10 ripe fruits.
2. Transfer the pulp to a blender, add 2 cups of water, and blend on low speed for a few seconds, just enough to loosen the seeds without breaking them up.
3. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pitcher, pressing down with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the remaining seeds and pulp.
4. Add the remaining 1 cup of water to the pitcher, then stir in the sugar until it’s fully dissolved, adjusting the sweetness to your taste.
5. Stir in the lime juice to add a fresh, slightly tangy flavor that balances the sweetness.
6. Refrigerate the juice for at least an hour until chilled, then serve over ice if you like.
7. Garnish with a slice of lime or a few passion fruit seeds if you want to dress it up a little before serving.

13. Watermelon Juice

When you’ve got a big watermelon sitting on the counter, this is one of the easiest ways to turn it into something everyone will enjoy. It’s light, naturally sweet, and so refreshing straight from the fridge on a hot day. I love that it only takes a couple of ingredients and helps use up the whole melon, so nothing goes to waste and you’ve got a simple homemade drink ready to pour anytime.

Servings: 8-12

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized watermelon (mine was about 4-5 lbs)
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Slice the watermelon into quarters, then trim away the rind and discard it.
2. Cut the flesh into chunks and add them to a blender.
3. Pour in the water.
4. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
5. Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove any pulp.
6. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

14. Pineapple Smoothie

On those busy afternoons when you need something quick that still feels a bit special, this one comes together in no time. It’s creamy, naturally sweet, and has that fresh tropical flavor that makes it perfect for warm days. I like that it doubles as a snack and a drink, and it’s an easy way to use simple ingredients without spending much at all.

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15. Vegan Tropical Smoothie

Some days call for something cool and creamy that still feels light enough for a hot afternoon. This one has that bright tropical flavor that makes it feel a little special, but it’s made with simple ingredients I can keep on hand. I like that it’s easy to blend up in minutes and works as both a drink and a quick snack when the kids need something to hold them over.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 5 cup coconut milk (not the one in a can, but in a carton)
• 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup frozen mango chucks
• 1 banana
• 1 lime, for juice
• Mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
• 1 lime, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Peel the banana, break it into a few pieces, and add it to the blender.
2. Add the frozen mango and pineapple chunks.
3. Squeeze in the juice of one lime.
4. Pour the coconut milk over the ingredients.
5. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh mint.
7. Serve right away and enjoy.

16. Vegan Berry Smoothie

When you’ve got berries that need using up, this is always an easy win. It’s smooth, naturally sweet, and has that fresh fruity flavor that works so well on a warm day. I like that it comes together in minutes and makes a filling little snack as well as a drink, all without needing anything fancy or expensive.

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17. Classic Homemade Lemonade

Sometimes the simplest things really are the ones everyone comes back to again and again. This one has that fresh, tangy flavor that just hits the spot on a hot day, and it’s easy to adjust so it’s just right for your family. I like making a big pitcher to keep in the fridge, and it’s such a nice way to turn a few basic ingredients into something refreshing without spending much at all.

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
• 4 cups water (divided
• 1 cup granulated sugar or simple syrup
• Ice
• Lemon slices and mint for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Squeeze the lemons until you have about 1 cup of juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
2. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and heat until the sugar fully dissolves, then set aside to cool.
3. Pour the lemon juice and cooled syrup into a pitcher, add 3 cups of cold water, and stir until well mixed. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
4. Serve over ice, garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint if you like, and enjoy right away.

By the time summer rolls around, I’m always glad to have a few easy drink ideas I can count on. These are the ones I come back to again and again because they’re simple, affordable, and the kids actually enjoy them. Having a few of these in your back pocket makes those hot days a little easier, and it’s nice knowing you can skip the store and still serve something that feels fun and refreshing.