Summer has been rolling around the corner without failing to give us signs. One day, I was taking in spring’s fresh breeze on my skin without the fear of not wearing enough layers like I was in the winter, and the next day,drinking three bottles of Pocari Sweat within an afternoon. Just like how I make myself feel better about anything else that gives me the tiniest spike of cortisol, I choose to deal with the summer heat by guiltlessly indulging myself in any sweet and cold treat in sight. This article is less like an introduction to new sweets and more like personal notes on my personal favorite refreshers and coolers, and ones that I want to try. Without further ado, let’s head into a paradise that is not so good for the body but good for the mind and soul.
- Coolish
-
We start off with one of my favorite things to grab in any convenience store whether as a dessert or a late night snack – Coolish. I personally cannot count the number of times I have raved to my friends about how much I love it. I have tried a few too many flavors to be proud of my Coolish consumption, but I believe this gives me credibility.
The way I would describe coolish is a mix between a slushie and a soft cream. My personal favorite flavor is the vanilla flavor, followed by the limited-edition whipped cream, and then the Belgian chocolate. I do feel, however, that I cannot write this without paying homage to the flavor that began this craze when I was about nine years old, which is the mikan flavor. If I were still able to find it, I know it would hit the spot on a summer day.
- Mais con Yelo
-
If you ever eat out with me and see this on the menu, just know that this is coming at the end of our meal. I know this dearly from hot summer days at home, from both restaurants and at home, where I would get excited seeing my mom pull out our ice shaver and get giddy at the thought of unlimited cornflakes.
Mais con Yelo (sometimes spelled hielo if referred to in Spanish) means corn with ice. At the bottom lies a layer of creamed corn, topped by milk and shaved ice, condensed milk, sweet corn kernels, and cornflakes. It creates a perfect blend of textures while having a relatively simple and straightforward flavor of just corn. I’ve also seen other versions topped with vanilla ice cream but I have not tried them yet, although I’m pretty positive that it is a complete game changer. Another version that seems to have the power to level it up is the bingsu style version, which is shaved frozen milk instead of shaved ice plus milk. If there’s any dessert that I cannot refuse on a day when the sun just can’t seem to get enough of me, it’s this.
- Watermelon Agua Fresca
-
Of all the things in my list, agua fresca is my most recent discovery. Adrianna Adarme (2024), creator and writer of the food blog named A Cozy Kitchen, says that this drink is a refreshing Mexican beverage that translates to “cool waters.” This can be made with different fruits such as cantaloupe and honeydew, but I have personally only tried the watermelon version.
I would not mind sitting out in the sun on a scorching hot day if I had this drink in a mason jar with a straw with pink stripes for me to sip on. Preferably, also with an umbrella. The mix of icy coldness, sweetness from the sugar or honey, refreshingness of the watermelon and mint, and the vibrant touch-up of lime juice, would make any summer day worth sweating through.
- Bonus: 飲んでみたい！
-
Dear reader, you have read through all of my glazing of my favorite refreshers, and for this, I would like to invite you to explore something with me. If I could have any drink pop up in my hand right now, it would actually be none of which I have already mentioned. It would, however, be something I used to see all over my social media and will not rest until I get to try it: Brazilian Lemonade.
This vibrant drink is a mix of four simple ingredients: ice, sweetened condensed milk, limes, and water. According to Sarah Mock (2024), writer of the blog, Savoring the Good, in Brazilian Portuguese, “limão” means both lime and lemon. When the drink’s name was translated to English, “lemonade” stuck despite being made with limes.
All of these ingredients are blended together and served with ice, making for a creamy, frothy, refreshing summer drink that I will definitely be trying to make once I get my hands on enough limes.
Time to Cool Off
As much as I have been sad about my first year at university ending and about the temperature gradually rising, I am excited to be back home, feasting on these sweet treats and drinks with my family and friends. If anyone is having a summer picnic, you know who to call!