We all love a good cuppa, whether it’s a builder’s brew or a posh afternoon tea with all the trimmings. Think fine bone china teapot, finger sandwiches and an array of sweet treats.

But when the sun’s shining and you want soak up the great outdoors, a tray with a large jug of iced tea, an ice bucket and a trendy jam jar (rather than a spread of scones and clotted cream) is the coolest option.

Here are some of our favourite thirst-quenching teas to tantalize the taste buds…

Summer sunshine and cue the aperitif… that wonderful time of the day when we whet our appetite with a light bite and a glass of something soberingly refreshing.

Yep, that’s right. Rather than a bitter-sweet cocktail before dinner, we’re opting for something lighter than a spritz, and much more agreeable than a kiddies cocktail – aka a Shirley Temple.

“The aperitif moment is all about fun, anticipation of a great evening or meal, and marking the moment where work becomes play,” says Paul Mathew, bartender and founder, Everleaf Non-alcoholic Aperitif.”

If you’re looking forward to a can of coke at lunchtime, today is a good day to reconsider: Fizz Free February has kicked off.

The campaign hopes to encourage people – and particularly young adults and children – to quit drinking fizzy pop for a whole month, in an effort to cut our sugar intake.

Last year, research found that soft drinks amount to 22% of 11-18-year-olds’ sugar intake – their single largest source of the white stuff. And with diabetes a huge risk in the UAE, it's important residents look at their fizzy drink habits.

With the high temperature, crazy humidity and Eid Al Adha here, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting a break from the scorching sun anytime soon.

The fact that the long weekend will be all about greasy dishes, heavy curries and sugary desserts only gives us more reasons to blast the AC and settle in for a few evenings of Netflix... Of course, with a bottomless supply of refreshing drinks.

If you agree with us, scroll down to see some delicious summer drinks ideas to help you gulp down those kebab skewers without getting bloated.