3 Cool Refreshment Ideas for Hot Summer Events

If you’re planning a corporate away day or a conference in the blazing heat of mid-summer (call us optimistic but we think we’re due a long, hot summer) then you’re going to need plenty of ideas for keeping your congregation cool and refreshed.

Here are 3 cool ideas for summer event refreshments:

Fresh fruit

During summer, a number of beautiful fresh fruits like watermelons and berries come into season and they’re perfect for away day refreshments. You can also get pretty creative. For example: why not carve your watermelon, into watermelon lollies? All you need are some ice lolly sticks and cut into balls using a melon baller.

Not quite cool enough? Try placing your lollies in the freezer for added cool points.

Berries can be enjoyed as an on the spot snack, or can be frozen and mixed with plain yoghurt for a cool, refreshing and healthy snack.

In addition to cooling guests down, fruits like these provide important hydration, not to mention a host of fibre and vitamins.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a tasty, and sometimes healthier, alternative to milkshakes which can do a lot more to quench your thirst while tantalising your tastebuds. Fruit smoothies can also provide a hit of vitamins and antioxidants during a hot and possibly active corporate event.

The best summer smoothies contain in-season fruits like bananas, grapes, watermelons, figs, blueberries, strawberries and much more. Of course, modern supermarkets provide a wealth of wonderful fruit from beyond our shores and one of them can be used to make a tasty, tropical smoothie perfect for summer events. The mango smoothie is packed with supernutrients for a boost to combat afternoon slumps.

Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups chopped mango
1 cup chilled mango nectar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
lime juice - 2 limes
1 tbsp packed brown sugar

Instructions:

Pour ingredients into blender and mix until smooth. Serve over ice and top with sliced almonds (optional).

Cocktails

If you want to give your event an added edge, you could provide an option for cocktails and there are plenty of cocktails created especially for hot summer days.

The Watermelon Refresher is a sweet, summery cocktail which makes the best of seasonal fruit and boasts no added sugar.

Watermelon Refresher

1 cup fresh watermelon, seeds removed
45ml vodka
1 tsp ginger, chopped finely
1 tsp coriander, chopped
10ml lime juice

Instructions:

Blend watermelon, ginger and coriander until smooth, strain to remove chunky pieces, fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, add vodka, watermelon juice and lime, shake well and serve over ice with extra lime wedges to garnish.

Browse our selection of Coloured Glassware, our Popular Glassware section for hi-ball and slim jim glassware, and our Miscellaneous Glassware section for clear jugs, to help serve your choice of cocktail drinks.