Summer has a way of making every cold drink feel a little more satisfying. A glass of lemonade on the patio, freshly brewed iced tea with lunch or fruit-infused water after a long afternoon can deliver a welcome moment of refreshment.
That is exactly what National Refreshment Day celebrates. Observed on the fourth Thursday of July, the occasion encourages everyone to slow down and enjoy a cold summer drink. This year, it falls on July 23, right in the middle of the Texas heat.
But before choosing the fruit, herbs or flavors that go into your glass, it is worth thinking about the ingredient that makes up most of the drink: water.
Better water can create a cleaner, more consistent foundation for nearly every summer beverage you make. And when ice begins to melt, the water used to make it becomes part of the recipe too.
Every Great Summer Drink Starts with Water
Water can be easy to overlook when a recipe includes fresh lemons, sweet tea, berries, mint or coffee. However, it does much more than fill the glass.
Water carries the flavors of every ingredient added to it. If the water has a noticeable taste or odor, that quality may still be present after the drink is mixed or brewed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizes taste, odor and color as aesthetic qualities affected by substances that may be present in drinking water.
Starting with purified water gives ingredients a more neutral foundation. Instead of competing with unwanted tastes or odors, the lemon can taste more like lemon, the mint can remain crisp and the tea or coffee can express its intended flavor.
That does not mean every beverage needs an elaborate recipe. Sometimes a cold glass of purified water with a squeeze of citrus is all it takes. Understanding what clean water actually means can help you make more informed decisions about the water used throughout your home.
Ice Is Part of the Recipe Too
Ice may look like a finishing touch, but it eventually becomes part of the drink.
As ice melts, it dilutes everything in the glass. Ice made from water with a noticeable taste or odor can gradually change the flavor of lemonade, iced tea, cold brew and mixed drinks. That is why it helps to think of ice as an ingredient rather than decoration.
Purified ice allows a drink to stay cold without introducing the same unwanted qualities that may be present in ordinary tap-water ice. It is a small detail, but small details often separate an average drink from one that stays enjoyable all the way to the final sip.
Built-in purified ice can also make summer entertaining easier. Instead of filling trays, clearing freezer space or discovering that the ice bin is empty after guests arrive, you can have ice ready when it is time to fill the glasses.
The Right Temperature Makes a Difference
Refreshment is not only about ingredients. Temperature helps shape the entire experience.
Cold water is ready for fruit infusions, flavored water and drinks that need to be served immediately. Hot water provides a convenient starting point for freshly brewed tea or coffee before it is cooled and poured over ice. Room-temperature water can work well when mixing ingredients that dissolve more easily before chilling.
Having several water temperatures available removes steps from the process. There is less waiting for water to cool, less time spent heating it separately and less need to store full pitchers in the refrigerator.
The NECOA Smart Water Purifier brings purified hot, cold and ambient water together with built-in purified ice. With six temperature options and four portion settings, it can help you prepare drinks with the temperature and amount of water you need.
Five Easy Ways to Refresh Your Summer Drinks
Better summer drinks do not have to require complicated recipes or an overflowing bar cart. Start with purified water and try one of these simple ideas.
1. Give Water a Fresh Twist
Add cucumber, lemon, lime, berries or fresh mint to a pitcher of cold purified water. Let the ingredients sit briefly before serving over ice. You can experiment with different combinations throughout the summer without relying on heavily sweetened flavorings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adding ingredients such as lemon, lime, cucumber or berries when you want more flavor in your water.
2. Make Lemonade Taste Brighter
Fresh lemonade only needs a few basic ingredients, which makes the quality of each one more noticeable. Combine fresh lemon juice and your preferred sweetener with purified water, then adjust the balance until it tastes right to you.
Serve it over purified ice and add lemon slices or fresh herbs for an easy drink that feels ready for a summer gathering.
3. Brew Better Iced Tea
Start by brewing tea with purified hot water. Once it reaches the strength you prefer, cool it and pour it over a full glass of purified ice.
Try black tea with lemon for a classic version, green tea with cucumber for something lighter or herbal tea with berries for a caffeine-free option. Sweeten to taste, or let the fruit provide a more subtle flavor.
4. Upgrade Your Iced Coffee
Coffee is mostly water, so the water used for brewing deserves just as much consideration as the beans.
Brew coffee with purified water, allow it to cool and serve it over purified ice. For a stronger flavor that holds up as the ice melts, make the coffee slightly more concentrated or freeze leftover coffee into cubes for another day.
5. Build a Simple Summer Mocktail
Start with cold purified water or sparkling water, then add citrus juice, fresh fruit and herbs. Muddle berries or mint at the bottom of the glass, add ice and finish with a colorful garnish.
The result feels festive without requiring complicated ingredients. For a lower-sugar option, let the natural flavor of the fruit do most of the work.
Make Refreshment Easier at Home
The best summer drink is often the one you can make without turning it into a project.
When purified hot water, cold water and ice are available from one system, everyday drinks become easier to prepare. You can brew tea, fill a water bottle, assemble a pitcher for guests or make an iced drink without moving between a kettle, refrigerator and freezer.
NECOA’s 3-filter, 5-stage reverse osmosis system provides purified water alongside built-in hot, cold and ice functions. Free Flow Service+ also includes professional installation, ongoing maintenance and replacement filters, helping make purified water simpler to enjoy over time. Learn more about Free Flow Service+.
Start with the Ingredient That Matters Most
National Refreshment Day is a good excuse to try a new recipe, mix a colorful mocktail or enjoy an old summer favorite. But no matter what ends up in the glass, the experience starts with the water behind it.
Better water provides a cleaner foundation for flavor. Purified ice helps preserve that experience as the drink stays cold. Convenient temperature options make everything from lemonade to iced tea easier to prepare.
This summer, upgrade your favorite drinks by starting with the ingredient they all share.
Start your 14-day risk-free trial and discover how convenient better water can be at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can water quality affect the taste of a drink?
Yes. Water makes up a large portion of beverages such as tea, coffee and lemonade. A noticeable taste or odor in the water may carry into the finished drink and affect its overall flavor.
Why should I use purified water for ice?
As ice melts, it becomes part of the beverage. Using purified water for ice can help prevent unwanted tastes or odors from being introduced as the drink dilutes.
What summer drinks can I make with purified water?
Purified water can be used for lemonade, iced tea, cold brew, fruit-infused water, mocktails and many other homemade beverages.
How can I add flavor to water without adding much sugar?
Try adding slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, berries or fresh herbs. These ingredients can bring natural flavor to water without requiring heavily sweetened drink mixes.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. Individual hydration needs can vary based on age, health, activity level, medications and environmental conditions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance about your specific needs.
Sources
- National Refreshment Day, National Day Calendar
- Secondary Drinking Water Standards, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- About Water and Healthier Drinks, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Rethink Your Drink, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention