It’s official: summer is finally here. It’s the season for pool parties, lake trips, barbeques, and spending time outside.

And to cool down during the summer, we often enjoy refreshing, cold drinks. Though your mind may go immediately to something fruity and alcoholic with a tiny umbrella perched on its rim, there are some healthier options out there. Some of them can even help you improve your health.

Drinking one of these refreshing probiotic drinks this summer can help you cool down and encourage a healthier gut and better immune system.

Kombucha

When you hear “probiotic drink” your mind may jump automatically to that vinegar-y beverage: kombucha.

Kombucha is a fermented black or green tea that is infused with things like yeast to boost health and add a unique flavor. There are plenty of kombucha companies and flavors on the market today, so if you’re interested in it, you’re bound to find at least one you like.

Some people don’t enjoy the bright, effervescent flavor. It can take some getting used to, but many people swear by it as a natural gut-regulating elixir.

Kefir

One of the lesser-known probiotic beverages is called kefir. Kefir is a fermented milk product that is made from kefir grains, which are a culture that acts as a probiotic.

Kefir has the texture of a thin yogurt, similar to those small bottles of drinkable yogurt that you had for lunch as a kid. It comes in a few different flavors and is a great natural drink that will provide you with plenty of probiotic benefits.

Since it is a dairy product, kefir has the unique added benefit of calcium, which improves bone strength.

Sauerkraut Juice

If your initial reaction to drinking sauerkraut juice is to recoil in disgust, we totally get it. It sounds like a more gross version of drinking pickle juice straight from the jar (which, if you do, no judgment here.)

We promise it’s not as gross as it sounds. The sauerkraut juice in this case is mixed with other healthy juices like ginger, lemon, and various greens for maximum health benefits.

If you’ve ever had one of those ginger or turmeric juice shots, it’s pretty much that.

This drink comes packed with multiple strains of probiotics and is unfiltered and unpasteurized.

Dairy-Free Yogurt Drinks

If kefir sounds good to you but you’re not into the whole dairy thing, fear not. There are quite a few different dairy-free yogurt drinks on the market that offer the same probiotics and health benefits as the traditional dairy version.

These ones are usually made from cultured and fermented nut milks like almond or cashew milk. Coconut milk is another favorite for these yogurt drinks, though be careful, this one can tend to be high in saturated fat.

Tepache

One of the most unique probiotic drinks out there today is a traditional Mexican probiotic beverage. It’s different from any of the others on this list because it’s actually made from fermented pineapple, which makes for a deliciously fruity flavor that’s perfect for summer.

Tepache is naturally surprisingly low in sugar. Companies like de la calle have spent generations perfecting this original beverage and offer multiple flavors that are all organic.

If you’re tired of kombucha and yogurt drinks but want to get the goodness of probiotics, try out tepache for something different.

Boost Your Gut Health While Sipping on One of These Refreshing Drinks

Why not make your refreshing summer beverage work double-time this year?

A refreshing, tasty drink that has the added benefits of probiotics can improve your gut health and immune system in a delicious way.