Summer is here, and after a long, tumultuous year of online school, students deserve an amazing, stress-free summer vacation. However, it’s not always easy to relax when you have spent the whole year buried by strenuous assignments. One of the best ways to cool down from the constant stress that comes with school is by relaxing with a frozen treat in your hand. You’re in luck, as these tasty, homemade treats will melt away all of your worries. 

Homemade Frozen Lemonade

Frozen lemonade is one of the best summertime treats. It cools you down and has the perfect balance between sour and sweet. It is super simple to make and will leave you extremely satisfied.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 ½ cups room temperature water
• 2 cups of vanilla ice cream
• Lemon slices

Steps

1. Add lemon juice, water and sugar to a pitcher
2. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved
3. Refrigerate lemonade for one hour
4. Put the ice cream in the blender, then add 1 cup of the refrigerated lemonade
5. Blend until combined then pour into two glasses
6. To make it look extra fancy, garnish with lemon slices

Gallery • 4 Photos

Ryann Liddell

Nothing is better than a nice glass of frozen lemonade. This recipe is simple, quick and perfect for a hot summer day.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is an all-time favorite. However, it doesn’t go well with summer- it’s hot enough outside. However, frozen hot chocolate allows you to savor a nice cup of cocoa while staying cool in the midst of the heat.

Ingredients 

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
• Whipped cream
• 1 tablespoon hot cocoa powder
• 1 ½ cups of milk
• 3 cups of ice
• Chocolate syrup

Steps

1. Melt chocolate in a bowl
2. Add hot cocoa powder and sugar to the chocolate
3. Add ½ cup of milk, stir and allow mixture to cool
4. After it’s cool, add it with the rest of the milk to a blender
5. Add ice and blend
6. Put whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top and enjoy

Gallery • 6 Photos

Ryann Liddell

While we can’t enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa in the summer, this easy recipe for frozen hot chocolate is the perfect substitute.

Strawberry Sorbet

There’s nothing like a good bowl of strawberry sorbet to help you cool down on a hot summer’s day. It will make your tastebuds dance with flavor while also fighting California’s summertime heat waves. This recipe requires a little more work, however, it’s well worth the effort.

Ingredients

• Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 cups of water
• Lemon juice

Steps

1. Wash strawberries and cut off tops
2. Boil the water 
3. Once water is boiling, add sugar 
4. Stir until sugar is dissolved to make a syrup
5. Let the syrup cool
6. Blend strawberries (as many as you think you need), lemon juice and syrup
7. Freeze the mixture for six hours
8. Enjoy!

Gallery • 6 Photos

Ryann Liddell

No need to buy strawberry sorbet at the store! This simple recipe is easy to make and tastes amazing!

It can be difficult to get into the rhythm of summer after a whole year of school. However, a frosty, summer treat can help you relax. So give these treats a try so you can slip into relaxation and enhance your summer vacation!