SOME VEGAN DRINKS TO COOL A SIZZLING SUMMER

Now that summer is upon us with a vengeance from hell, it’s time to look at some refreshing ways vegans can keep cool with an enjoyable drink! With temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees in many parts of the country, finding a cool drink is essential to your survival, but….

Beware of Sugar

Not that anyone needs more sugar in their diet. But the sweetness is a real treat every now and then, and what better way to enjoy sugar than in your favorite drinks – but beware. Not all sugar is vegan. Vegans must always be careful when using sugar. The way some sugars are processed is not vegan and animal-friendly.

Cow bone char is widely used as a filter for cane sugar, creating the white color that consumers expect from their store-bought sugars. Refined sugar comes from one of two sources: sugar beets or sugarcane, at about a 50-50 mix. The good news is, that sugar beets require no behind-the-scenes colorization to create a pure-white product, but sugarcane is a different story; its juice is ultimately subject to bone char filtering and bleaching.

What exactly is bone char? Cattle bones are dried in the sun, and then heated to 700-plus degrees Celsius for 12 hours or more, What’s left behind is a granular substance, which is then used as a filter.
Another red flag is that labels don’t tell the source of refined sugar, and many manufacturers store sugar beets and those made from sugarcane together, so they often mix. On the good side, some manufacturers have changed their production which in some cases bone charring is no longer needed.

For a list of vegan-approved sugars, you can go to the PETA website. Your best bet is to look for sugar that is organic. which cannot be produced with bone char filtering, or go for an alternate vegan sweetener, like agave, molasses, or stevia.

Here are some good vegan beverages to choose from:

• Culture Pop – This is a carbonated, probiotic drink that comes in flavors such as Watermelon Line, Orange Mango, Grapefruit, Basi & Line, Wild Berries, and Ginger Lemon. All of the ingredients used are organic. Culture POP gets its slightly sweet flavor from organic fruit juices, herbs & spices. No artificial sweeteners, refined sugar, natural sugar, or stevia are used. And none of their current flavors contain caffeine. Also, Culture Pop does not need to be refrigerated.
• Olipop – This is a low-sugar and probiotic soda. Flavors include Classic Root Beer, Orange Squeeze, Cherry Vanilla, Strawberry Vanilla, Ginger Lemon, and Vintage Cola. Olipop ingredients are made up of a blend of botanicals, plant fibers, and prebiotics.
• Zevia – is a zero-calorie vegan soda. Its popularity has skyrocketed in the last few years. It’s sweetened naturally and comes in flavors such as Grape, Orange Strawberry, Black Cherry, Ginger Ale, Cola, and Cherry Cola.
• Wave – Like some of the other beverages, they have no added sugar and are sweetened with fruit juice and are caffeinated. Their flavors include Mint Lime, White Tea Peach Mango, and Black Tea Orange.
• Izze – It has fizz-like sparkling water and 70% fruit juice. Izze does not contain any added sugar or preservatives. Its fruit flavors include Apple, pomegranate, peach, grapefruit, lemonade, clementine, and cherry lime.

If you want to forgo commercial beverages and try making your own, here’s a great recipe to start with:

Directions
Add lemon and orange slices to a large pitcher.
Add mint sprigs and gently crush them using the back of a wooden spoon.
Pour in the orange and cranberry juice, water, and agave/sugar; stir everything together.
Refrigerate until ready to serve, the flavor intensifies the longer it chills.
Flavor can be adjusted by adding more water to thin it down.

Substitutions and Additions
Lemon and Orange: If you can’t find fresh citrus fruits, bottled lemon and orange juice can be used as a time saver. You can also try adding grapefruit slices or juice for a little bit of tanginess and bitterness.
Mint Sprigs: No mint? No problem! Basil or cilantro can offer a unique flavor profile to your lemonade. If you’re looking for a minty taste without the herb itself, a drop of mint extract can also do the trick.

Some additions to take your lemonade to another level

• Add a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy variation.
• Add more ice for a slushie blend.
• For an adult version, a shot of your favorite vodka or rum can be a delightful addition.
• Berries, such as strawberries or raspberries, can also be added for an extra pop of color and also gives the lemonade additional sweetness.

ENJOY!