Summertime means beach, swimsuits, picnics and long, hot days in the sun. The best way to stay cool, energetic and slim this summer season? Enjoy a daily juice, of course…

No season has a greater variety of produce to enjoy than summer. But not all are the greatest for juicing.

To help you find the best elixir to sip poolside, here is our list of Juice Guru’s top 6 summer fruits and veggies to feature in your juices. Serve these up in juices for your friends this season, and give them an experience they’ll remember.

Number 6: Cucumber 

Probably not the first veggie (well, fruit actually) that comes to mind when thinking of summertime; cucumbers can have a boring rep. But think about this: Cucumbers are used to cool and relax spa-goers around the world. And with good reason. Cool and juicy, they make an excellent base for many summer juice recipes (see Italian Heirloom and Basil Juice recipe below). And they are packed with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits (especially estrogen-related cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus and prostate).

Number 5: Strawberries

Now we’re talkin’. These delicious powerhouses of nutrition are available at their ripest and most delicious throughout the summer months. While they don’t yield a lot of juice, strawberries are a great complement or mix-in to your juice for a fabulous fruity taste (see Juice Guru’s post for Springtime Pineapple Strawberry Elixir Recipe). Their anti-aging benefits will keep you looking and feeling young, while their anti-cancer benefits will help keep you free of breast, cervical, colon, and esophageal cancers. Just make sure to get them from your local farmers market, if you can, since studies indicate they lose the majority of their nutrition within 2 days of being picked.

Number 4: Cilantro

Cilantro is another ingredient that doesn’t yield a lot of juice but is a deliciously refreshing mix-in to spruce up any juice. And, just like strawberries, it’s at its peak in the summertime. Cilantro isn’t only delicious, it’s packed with phytonutrients and has antimicrobial effects. Try it in any green juice for an extra dose of flavor. And to bring out that delicious flavor even more, mix in some salty celery, lemon or both.

Number 3: Kale

Kale may be available year-round in supermarkets, but it’s in season and harvested in the summer and fall, beginning in June. These are the months you can get it fresh from the farmer’s markets and local farms. Kale is tops on any of our juicing lists because of its mild flavor in green juices and incredible nutrients. Kale is in the top 10 of every list of the most nutritious veggies, due largely to its antioxidant and cancer-preventative benefits. Check out our Juice Guru Classic Template Recipe to make any number of outstanding green juices featuring kale.

Number 2: Melon

Take your pick: Watermelon, cantaloupe, crenshaw, honeydew…so many choices. The easiest juices to make, all you have to is cut off the outer rind (leaving the soft, nutrient-rich inner rind intact), cut it up into small chunks and run it through a juicer. Kids love these juices! And they are refreshing and nutritious too.

Number 1: Heirloom Tomatoes

Our number one pick for summer fruits and veggies is the outstanding heirloom tomato. In case you’ve never heard of one, an heirloom tomato is a variety that has been passed down for generations and is open pollinated (i.e., not a hybrid). They have flavor that is far superior to any other tomato you’ve ever tried and are mostly only available in the summer months. Our favorite is the Brandywine for juiciness and flavor. If you’ve never enjoyed an heirloom before, don’t let their appearances fool you. They are often misshapen and not traditionally the red color of other tomatoes (often even partly green and/or mottled in color). Pick heavy ones that aren’t too soft, hard or musty-smelling and store them at room temperature.

Try the following Juice Guru recipe for Italian Heirloom Tomato Basil Juice and be prepared to be blown away.

Italian Heirloom Tomato Basil Juice

Organic Ingredients:

• 8 large heirloom tomatoes
• 6 stalks celery
• 2 cucumbers
• 1 bunch of basil
• 1 large lemon (outer peel cut off, pith intact)

Directions:

1. Clean all produce and cut in chunks.
2. In a low-rpm juicer, alternate pressing ingredients.
3. Stir and serve immediately.

If you enjoyed this post, or found it helpful, please like it. And if you have any other recipe ideas using our top 6 summer fruits and veggies, please be sure to share with a comment.

Enjoy your “juicy” summer!