These Low Sugar Drinks Will Keep You Refreshed

Plain water may be the ultimate health drink, but sometimes, you just want to drink something with a little flavor. And flavor almost always equals sugar. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s easier than ever to find refreshing low sugar drinks that are big on taste. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a fortune just to lower your sugar intake.

These low sugar drinks are sure to keep you refreshed and they’re easy to make at home. 

Low Sugar Drinks to Keep You Refreshed

Hot Tea or Coffee

If you’re trying to cut back on sugary drinks, ditch your morning coffee run and make your own hot coffee or tea at home. Even if you prefer to add one or two sugars to your homemade coffee or tea, it’s definitely going to have less sugar than the drinks you order at coffee shops or drive-thrus.

Stick with plain coffee or tea if you want the lowest sugar options. A plain cup of coffee without sugar is just five calories, so you can get your caffeine fix without busting your calorie goals.

Sugar-Free Plain Iced Tea 

Ditch the sweet tea and make the switch to plain iced tea. The beauty of iced tea is that you have so many options, from floral herbal blends to earthy matcha and smooth oolong.  

It’s easy to brew your pitcher of iced tea: Brew hot tea, add ice, and enjoy. Add a sprig of mint and a lemon slice for some extra flavor. If you really must sweeten your tea, you can use a zero-calorie alternative, like stevia or monk fruit.  

Slices of fruit, like strawberry or peach, can make your tea even more refreshing, but keep in mind that they will add some sugar to your drink (not much). If you’re adding fruit, allow it to steep in the tea for a few hours before drinking it. This will allow the flavor to infuse with the tea for a richer flavor. 

Lemon or Lime Water 

Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, but you don’t need a gallon of sugar to enjoy it. Just add a few slices of lemon or some fresh lime juice – or both – to your water for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.  

Fresh lemon water has other benefits, too.  

• It’s a great source of vitamin C 
• It can help with digestion 
• It can freshen your breath

You can keep it simple by adding just a few slices of lemon or fresh lime juice to your water, or you can jazz it up by adding: 

• Mint  
• A teaspoon of honey or natural sweetener 
• A slice of ginger 
• A sprinkle of cinnamon 

If you’re on the go, you can add lemon juice or lime slices to your water bottle and sip it throughout the day. Try using sparkling water if you’re craving a fizzy drink.

Fruit Infusions 

Fruit infusions take time, but they add flavor and some nutrients to your water without the added teaspoons of sugar. This is also a great way to use up any fresh fruit you have in the house.  

The great thing about fruit infused water is that you can add whatever you want: 

• Cucumber 
• Lemon 
• Lime 
• Grapefruit 
• Strawberries 
• Apples 
• Mint 
• Raspberries 
• Apricots 
• Oranges (try Jamaica blood orange!)
• Pineapple 
• Peaches 
• Pears 
• Kiwis 
• Watermelon 
• Blueberries 

Fresh fruit infusions get stronger the longer you let them steep, so aim for at least 4 hours. This will allow all the natural fruit juices to steep into the water.

When you find the right combination of flavors, you won’t miss the sugar. Plus, the fruits and herbs you infuse will add some nutrients (fruits also have antioxidant properties) to your water and encourage you to stay hydrated. And if you’re craving something fizzy, you can try infusing fruit into soda water.  

It’s important to note that fruit infusions aren’t the same thing as fruit drinks. Fruit drinks usually contain added sugar, which can really increase your calorie intake (check the ingredients list to see what I mean). Even homemade, natural juices can have high sugar content because you’re missing the fiber.

Infusions are different. Unlike fresh juice, they add flavor without increasing your calorie intake.

Low Sugar Coconut Water

Coconut water isn’t completely free of sugar, but it’s a great alternative to regular soda, energy drinks or other sugary drinks.

Coconut water is found naturally in the coconut fruit. It contains 94% water, a little bit of fat, and a lot of flavor. It’s rich in nutrients, too, like: 

• Vitamin C 
• Manganese 
• Magnesium 
• Potassium 
• Calcium  
• Antioxidants 

If you want a refreshing post-workout drink, look no further than coconut water. It contains essential electrolytes that are lost during exercise, so you stay hydrated even after an intense workout. 

The freshest coconut water comes directly from the coconut itself. Just push a straw into the fleshy part of the coconut. When you’re done drinking, just store it in your fridge. Fresh coconuts will stay good for about 2-3 weeks after purchase. 

You can buy coconut water from the grocery store, too. Check the ingredients list to make sure you’re getting 100% coconut water without any added sugars or flavors. 

Iced Coffee 

Iced coffee can be refreshing on a warm day, and you don’t have to load up on sugar to enjoy it. 

Just brew a pot of your favorite coffee, add ice and a splash of low-fat milk (dairy or non-dairy), and enjoy.

If you have the time, you can do a cold brew right in your home kitchen. 

• Grind your favorite coffee beans coarsely, or buy coarsely ground coffee from the store. 
• Add the grounds to water. 
• Allow the infusion to steep overnight (12-18 hours ideally) in the fridge. 

Cold brew coffee has a robust flavor and it’s slightly less bitter than hot brewed coffee. Since you’re already brewing it in the fridge, it’s cold and ready to drink the next morning. 

When you’re craving a refreshing drink, sometimes water just doesn’t cut it. Instead of reaching for sugary drinks or sports drinks, try one of these refreshing low sugar options. They’re low in calories and big on flavor.