8 Summer Drinks to Savor the Last Days of Summertime
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We’ve all heard of soaking up the sun, but these dairy-filled summer drink recipes will make you feel like you’re sipping on sunshine.
Enjoying the fruitiness and creaminess of our refreshing summer drinks and summer cocktails will make the last weeks of the summer sun feel even sweeter. These summer drinks aren't just beverages; they're invitations to create lasting memories. So, whether you're raising a glass to the setting sun or clinking cups with friends, let these dairy-infused elixirs be your companions as you bid adieu to the sun-soaked days of summer. We have kid-friendly options and ones just for adults, too.
Whatever you choose to sip on, all of these summer drink recipes are made with sustainably made dairy, so you can feel good while enjoying your sweet drinks knowing you’re supporting local dairy farmers!
Kid-friendly summer drinks
1. Strawberry Mango Julius
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk, ice cream
This kid-friendly twist on a fast-food classic combines all the goodness of fresh fruit and fruit juice with the frothiness of milk and creaminess of vanilla ice cream. While traditional Julius drinks don’t usually include a scoop of ice cream, how could we resist? We think your kiddos will appreciate the extra ingredient, too.
2. Salted Caramel Popcorn Milkshake
Featuring sustainably made dairy: ice cream, milk
It’s sweet. It’s salty. It’s crunchy. It’s everything you could want in a milkshake. Enjoy classic salted caramel flavors and the added crunch of freshly popped popcorn waiting for you on top of this decadent summer drink. This recipe makes more than a milkshake — it's an eating experience.
3. Mixed Berry Milk
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk
It’s no secret that we love a classic glass of milk, but incorporating freeze-dried berries is a fun way to mix up your drink rotation. The best thing about this recipe is that the taste of the berries isn’t overpowering to the glass of milk, making this one of our favorite refreshing drinks for summer.
4. Iced Peaches and Cream Moon Milk
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk
This Southeast Asian-inspired summer drink is light, airy and fruity. While traditional moon milk recipes are typically served warm and are intended to be enjoyed before bedtime, we think our cold moon milk recipe is perfect for relaxing on a warm summer evening.
5. Strawberries and Cream Smoothie
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk
Few summer drinks can truly rival a classic strawberry smoothie. Take advantage of in-season fresh strawberries and enjoy the added nutrition boost from the cashew butter, chia seeds and rolled oats for a nutrient-dense drink the whole family can enjoy. For even more fun, buy your strawberries local at your nearest farmers market.
6. Pomberry Smoothie
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk
Pomegranate lovers, unite! Our pomberry smoothie incorporates both the tart and sweet flavors of pomegranate juice with the protein from cottage cheese and added nutrition from hemp hearts. If you’ve never added cottage cheese to a smoothie, this summer drink is a must-try.
Summer drinks just for the parents
While we’re big fans of these frozen summer cocktails, they can easily be made into equally tasty and refreshing mocktails, too — check the recipes for substitution recommendations.
7. Fro-Yo Margaritas
Featuring sustainably made dairy: frozen yogurt
Few things can improve upon a classic frozen margarita, especially on a hot day, but we think blending in vanilla frozen yogurt might be one of them. Enjoy the classic flavors of lime, triple sec and tequila, made even creamier thanks to fresh dairy.
8. Pina Tequila Summer Slush
Featuring sustainably made dairy: milk
Our take on a classic pina colada substitutes coconut cream for fresh dairy, and it’s equally light and refreshing. Sip this classic summer drink poolside or porchside and soak up the last days of summer in style.
Meet the 17-Year-Old Changing the Meal Kit Game With Dairy
For many kids, summertime is a season of freedom and relaxation. Not for Mylie Rexing, daughter of DFA farmer-owners in Indiana. She used her summer break to start her own meal kit business — Mylie’s Meals to Go — as part of a special project for FFA. Using her parents’ beef and dairy connections, she ran her small business selling easy and nutritious packaged meals, ranging from $25–$30, to people in her hometown.
“I tried to think about what potential customers wanted or needed and landed on convenience,” Mylie says. “Meal kits filled that need and brought new customers to the meat processing business. The kits are a win-win for everyone. My ultimate goal is to have a career in agriculture, and I know that all the activities, meetings and events through FFA will benefit me and my dream in the long run.”
Not only did this experience teach Mylie what it takes to run a business, but it reinforced her hometown’s ties to local beef and dairy farmers. Now that’s a successful summer!
Share your creations on social media
When you’re inspired to make one of our recipes, we’d love to see it. Share photos of your creation with our food community, tag it #CookWithHandH and you could be featured on our Instagram.