Thought aloe vera was just for sunburned skin? Yes, aloe is the perfect soother for inflamed skin—but that's not all! This incredible plant is packed with vitamins and amino acids [source]. It has been shown to reduce wrinkles [source] and combat aging of the skin from UV radiation [source]. Plus, it increases immune function, fights cancer [source], acts as an anti-inflammatory agent [source], and works as an antioxidant to help detoxify the body’s tissues and organs [source].
10 Amazing Aloe Drinks
Every house should have an aloe plant on hand for random bug bites and burns [source]. It's the perfect low-maintenance plant, but you do need to learn how to harvest aloe if you want to use its goodness on your skin or in food recipes.
Turn this healing plant into one of these delicious aloe drinks, or store up the precious liquid into ice cubes to add a hint of flavor to your water. This summer, don't be caught without your aloe—it's good for you inside and out!
1. Cucumber Aloe Water
Drink up to take advantage of aloe vera’s natural healing abilities on the inside. Aloe water can help soothe internal inflammation. But buying pure aloe juice can quickly cost a pretty penny. Learn how to easily make your own aloe water at home.
2. Raspberry Aloe Water
Why drink plain water when you can turn it into a skin-clearing elixir? With anti-inflammatory raspberries, vitamin-rich beet powder, and the moisturizing effects of aloe vera, this raspberry aloe water is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins to help protect your skin while improving its hydration on hot summer days.
3. Healing Aloe Smoothie
Don't let the look of this healing aloe smoothie fool you—it uses kale and the fresh gel from inside the aloe leaf (although you could use pure store-bought aloe juice), so it's super fresh to help clear out the digestive tract and boost the immune system.
And if you find aloe water a little hard to swallow on its own, this smoothie is naturally sweet, using organic apple juice and strawberries to deliciously hide any unpleasant taste.
4. Love-Your-Liver Aloe Juice
Cucumber and celery have a high water content, making this mellow Love Your Liver aloe juice a perfectly cooling, hydrating treat when you need a fresh pick-me-up.
5. Strawberry Lemonade Aloe Vera Smoothie from Blissful Basil
This strawberry lemonade aloe vera smoothie (via Blissful Basil) is equal parts deliciously refreshing and soothingly detoxifying. Try mixing in a myriad of different berries for tasty alternatives.
6. Watermelon Coconut Aloe Juice from Will Frolic for Food
This drink is one of the most hydrating, delicious things you can put in your body. The mouth-watering combination of watermelon, coconut water, and aloe juice will saturate your cells with moisture, cool you down, and soothe your stomach.
7. Aloe Cucumber Cooler from Arsenic Lace
Herbal and earthy aloe vera and cactus tea simple syrup combine delectably with gin, muddled mint, and cucumber to make a delicious, cooling cocktail.
8. Digestion 101 Juice from Hello Glow
Hydrating celery and cucumber combine with parsley, lemon, and aloe vera juice—all of which help your liver detox from all the extra boozeorparty food.
9. Aloe Lemonade from Kumquat
For an especially crisp and refreshing summer thirst quencher, opt for aloe lemonade (via Kumquat). It’s the perfect accessory for those long, sunny summer days.
10. Skinny Aloe Vera Martini
Searching for a guilty pleasure with not too much guilt? A skinny aloe martini may just do the trick. No-sugar George’s aloe vera juice mixed with fresh lime, mint, and cucumber will satisfy your slightly sinful side. Want to use fresh aloe juice? Check out our Healing Aloe Smoothie recipe to learn how to harvest the gel from an aloe plant.
Skinny Aloe Vera Martini
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler or spoon
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 1–2 slices cucumber
- 4–5 mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ounces vodka (Lizanne recommends Grey Goose)
- 1 ounce aloe vera juice
Instructions
- Combine cucumber slices, mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar in a shaker and crush with a muddler or spoon. Add vodka and aloe vera juice and fill with ice.
- Cover and shake, then strain through a sieve into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cucumber slice.
Notes
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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