20 Refreshing And Budget Friendly Drink Recipes To Keep You Hydrated And Active

• By Abeera Anwar
• 7 months ago
• 9 minutes read

Quenching your thirst with refreshing drinks doesn’t have to be expensive! Whether you’re hosting a gathering, cooling off on a hot day, or simply looking for an affordable way to spice up your daily beverages, budget-friendly drink recipes can make all the difference. From fruity punches to smoothies and lemonades, there are plenty of creative ways to enjoy delicious drinks without spending a fortune.

In this article, we’ve curated a collection of refreshing and wallet-friendly drink recipes that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Cheers to staying refreshed on a budget!

1. Whipped Frozen Lemonade

Ingredients

Lemon Simple Syrup

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• Zest of 1 lemon

Lemonade

• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 2 ½ cups ice cubes

Method

1. To prepare lemon simple syrup: Bring sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stir in lemon zest and remove from heat. Cover and let steep for 1 hour, then strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the zest. (You’ll have extra syrup; refrigerate for up to 1 week.)
2. To prepare whipped lemonade: Add 1/2 cup simple syrup, lemon juice, coconut milk and ice to a blender. Blend until the ice is crushed and the mixture is slushy. Divide between 4 8-ounce glasses and serve immediately.

Recipe Credits: eatingwell

2. Galaxy Lemonade Slushie

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons blue pea flower tea
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 cups lemonade

Method

1. Steep tea in boiling water for 8 minutes. Strain into a 2-cup measuring cup. Pour tea into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.
2. Place the frozen tea cubes in a blender and crush.
3. Place 1/2 cup in each glass and pour 1/2 cup lemonade over the crushed ice. Watch the magic!

Recipe Credits: eatingwell

3. Creamy Watermelon Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped seedless watermelon, plus watermelon wedges for garnish
• 1 small banana (about 5 ounces)
• ¾ cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut-milk yogurt
• 2 teaspoons agave syrup or honey
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Method

1. Arrange chopped watermelon evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until completely frozen, at least 2 hours or up to 12 hours.
2. Place the frozen watermelon, peeled half banana, strawberries, yogurt, agave (or honey) and salt in a blender. Process until completely smooth and creamy, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
3. Divide between 2 glasses and garnish with watermelon wedges, if desired.

Recipe Credits: eatingwell

4. Blackberry-Lime Porch Punch

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh blackberries
• 4 cups chilled sweet tea
• 2 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from 5 limes)
• 4 cans chilled non-alcoholic ginger beer
• 1 (16-oz.) bag frozen blackberries
• Ice
• Lime slices
• Mint sprigs

Method

1. Place fresh blackberries in a large bowl; mash with a potato masher until fully broken. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring cup or bowl, pressing pulp to release juice. Discard solids.
2. Pour blackberry juice into a large (4- to 6-qt.) punch bowl. Stir in sweet tea, water, and lime juice until well combined. Gently stir in ginger beer and frozen blackberries until just combined.
3. Serve over ice and garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

5. Pineapple Mocktail

Ingredients

• 2 (6-in.) fresh mint sprigs, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup (4 oz.) pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup (2 oz.) fresh lime juice (from 3 limes)
• 1 Tbsp. (1/2 oz.) vanilla syrup
• 1 Tbsp. (1/2 oz.) pineapple syrup
• 1 large egg white
• 1 cup ice cubes

Method

1. Muddle mint sprigs in a cocktail shaker until fragrant.
2. Add pineapple juice, lime juice, vanilla syrup, pineapple syrup, and egg white. Add ice, and shake vigorously until very chilled and foamy, about 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a large (8 oz.) coupe glass. Garnish with an additional mint sprig.

Recipe Credit: southernliving

6. Strawberry Spritzers

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. Strawberry Shrub 
• 1/2-3/4 cup chilled sparkling mineral water
• 1 strawberry half, for garnish

Method

1. Pour 3 tablespoons Strawberry Shrub into an ice-filled glass; top with 1/2 to 3/4 cup seltzer water, or desired amount. Garnish with a strawberry half.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

7. Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink

Ingredients

• 2 bags hibiscus-based tea (preferably TAZO Passion)
• 2 fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 c. white grape juice
• 1/2 c. light coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp. simple syrup
• Ice

Method

1. In a kettle or small pot, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Pour into a heatproof container, add tea bags, and steep 10 minutes. Discard bags.
2. Refrigerate tea until room temperature, about 15 minutes.
3. In a cocktail shaker, combine tea, strawberries, grape juice, milk, and simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and vigorously shake until outside of shaker is very frosty, about 30 seconds. Pour into a cup and serve.

Recipe Credits: delish

8. Blackberry Virgin Mojito

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. blackberries
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. lime juice
• Ice
• 2 (12-oz.) cans seltzer
• Fresh mint, for garnish

Method

1. In a small pot using a wooden spoon or using a mortar and pestle, crush mint leaves. Add sugar and water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
2. Boil for 3 minutes and then let cool to room temperature. Then strain out mint leaves, pressing with a wooden spoon to help release all liquid. 
3. In a small bowl, add blackberries and sugar, and using a wooden spoon, crush blackberries until broken down. 
4. Divide blackberries between 4 glasses and add 2 tablespoons simple syrup and 2 tablespoons lime juice to each glass.
5. Fill glasses with ice and top off with seltzer, then garnish with mint.

Recipe Credits: delish

9. Italian Soda

Ingredients

• ice
• 1 1/2 oz. flavored syrup, such as Torani
• 8 oz. club soda
• 1 oz. to 1 1/2 oz. heavy cream or half-and-half

Method

1. Fill a large glass with ice. Add syrup, then slowly pour in club soda.
2. Stir gently, top with cream, and serve.

Recipe Credits: delish

10. Shirley Temple Drink

Ingredients

• 3 to 5 large square ice cubes
• 1 Tbsp. grenadine (such as Rose’s)
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
• 1 (8-oz.) can lemon-lime soda (such as 7UP)
• 3 whole maraschino cherries

Method

1. Place ice cubes in a 16-oz. highball glass.
2. Add grenadine, lime juice, and soda.
3. Garnish with maraschino cherries and serve immediately.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

11. Elderberry Elixir Mocktail

Ingredients

• 2 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 ounce elderberry syrup
• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, or more to taste
• Ice
• Sparkling water
• Orange slice for garnish

Method

1. Combine orange juice, elderberry syrup, lemon juice and turmeric in a cocktail shaker. Add ice to make the shaker 3/4 full.
2. Cover and shake until chilled, then strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. (Alternatively, for a layered look, shake the citrus juices and turmeric and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Drizzle the elderberry syrup over the ice.)
3. Top with sparkling water and garnish with an orange slice, if desired.

Recipe Credits: eatingwell

12. Starbucks Copycat S’mores Frappuccino

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. marshmallow fluff, divided
• 1/4 c. heavy cream, divided
• Chocolate syrup
• 1/3 c. cold brew (or strong brewed coffee, chilled)
• 1/3 c. milk
• 1 c. ice (about 5 standard cubes)
• 1 c. vanilla ice cream
• 1 graham cracker, divided 

Method

1. In a medium bowl, combine 1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff and 1 tablespoon heavy cream. Beat until smooth, then add remaining heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Spread the remaining marshmallow fluff inside the bottom of your glass, then drizzle with chocolate syrup.
3. Add coffee and milk, then ice, and then vanilla ice cream into blender. Blend until smooth. Break graham cracker in half, then break one half into another half. Add 3/4 of the graham cracker to blender and reserve the last 1/4 for topping. Blend until smooth.
4. Pour drink into prepared glass and top with whipped marshmallow cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Crush remaining graham cracker and sprinkle on top. 

Recipe Credits: delish

13. Strawberry Agua Fresca

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
• 4 cups water
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

Method

1. Add the berries and sugar to a bowl.
2. Toss to combine and let sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, for an hour.
3. Add the berry-sugar mixture and lime juice to a blender or food processor and process on high until fully blended, 1-2 minutes.
4. Set a fine mesh strainer over a large pitcher. Pour the strawberry mixture into the strainer and stir to help the liquid fall into the pitcher.
5. Add four cups of water to the pitcher and taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if desired.
6. Chill until cold, about 2 hours, and serve over ice. Garnish each glass with a mint sprig.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

14. Roy Rogers Drink

Ingredients

• Ice
• 1/4 cup (2 oz.) grenadine syrup
• 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) cola, such as Coca-Cola
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Method

1. Fill a highball or pint glass with ice. Pour in grenadine syrup.
2. Gently pour in cola, and stir to combine.
3. Top with maraschino cherries.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

15. Virgin Raspberry Mango Margarita Slushies

Ingredients

For the mango layer

• 2 c. frozen mango
• 3/4 c. coconut water
• 1/4 c. lime juice
• 2 tsp. honey

For the raspberry layer

• 2 c. frozen raspberries
• 3/4 c. coconut water
• 1/4 c. lime juice
• 2 tsp. honey

Method

1. Make mango layer: Combine frozen mango, coconut water, lime juice, and honey in a blender. Blend until smooth, then fill each glass halfway full. 
2. Make raspberry layer: Combine frozen raspberries, coconut water, lime juice, and honey in a blender. Blend until smooth, then top off each glass with mixture. 
3. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.

Recipe Credit: delish

16. Triple Berry Sparklers

Ingredients

For the berry ice cubes:

• 1 1/4 c. coconut water
• 1/3 c. blueberries
• 1/3 c. raspberries
• 1/3 c. chopped strawberries

For the drink:

• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 (12-oz.) cans seltzer

Method

1. Make berry ice cubes: Place blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries in ice tray, then fill with coconut water. Freeze until frozen solid, about 4 hours.
2. Make drink: In a pitcher or large measuring cup, combine honey with lime and lemon juices. Stir until honey is completely dissolved. Add seltzer and stir gently to combine.
3. Fill serving glasses with ice, then fill with lemon lime mixture.

Recipe Credit: delish

17. Frozen Margarita Mocktail

Ingredients

• 1 lime wedge
• 1 pinch coarse salt or coarse sugar
• 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ⅔ cup unsweetened grapefruit juice
• 25 to 30 small ice cubes (about 4 cups)
• Lemon or lime slices (optional)

Method

1. If desired, rub rims of margarita glasses with lime wedge; dip rims into a shallow dish of coarse salt or sugar and shake off excess. Set aside.
2. In a blender, combine limeade concentrate, orange juice and grapefruit juice. Cover and blend until smooth. With the blender running, gradually add ice cubes through the hole in the lid, blending until slushy. Pour into margarita glasses. If desired, garnish with citrus slices.

Recipe Credits: eatingwell

18. Best-Ever Milkshake

Ingredients

• 4 large scoops (about 1 1/2 c.) vanilla ice cream
• 1/4 c. cold whole milk
• Whipped topping, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries, for serving

Method

1. In a blender, blend ice cream and milk on medium speed until combined and smooth.
2. Pour into a large glass and top with whipped topping, sprinkles, and a cherry.

Recipe Credits: delish

19. Popsicle Punch

Ingredients

• 4 c. lemon lime soda
• 4 c. lemonade
• 1 (12-oz.) can seltzer 
• 1 c. sliced strawberries, plus more garnish
• 2 mangoes, cubed, plus more for garnish
• 3 Popsicle Strawberry Fruit Pops
• 3 Popsicle Mango Fruit Pops

Method

1. In a large pitcher, stir together soda, lemonade, seltzer, strawberries, and mangoes.
2. Pour into glasses and garnish rim with a strawberry and mango slice.
3. Place a popsicle in as garnish.

Recipe Credits: delish

20. Sparkling Cherry Limeade

Ingredients

• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Margarita salt
• 1 (12-oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
• 3 1/2 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup liquid from jarred red maraschino cherries
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Garnishes: lime slices, maraschino cherries

Method

1. Rub rims of 8 chilled glasses with lime wedges, and dip rims in salt to coat, if desired.
2. Stir together limeade concentrate and 3 1/2 cups cold water; add liquid from maraschino cherries.
3. Fill prepared glasses with ice. Pour limeade mixture into glasses, filling each two-thirds full; add sparkling water to fill.

Recipe Credits: southernliving

With these budget-friendly drink recipes, staying refreshed has never been easier—or more affordable! Whether you’re craving something fruity, fizzy, or creamy, these creative beverages offer plenty of options to satisfy your thirst without putting a dent in your wallet. From casual sips to party punches, you can enjoy a variety of flavors using simple, everyday ingredients. So next time you’re in need of a drink, skip the pricey store-bought options and whip up one of these easy, delicious, and cost-effective recipes.