5 Low or No Sugar Refreshing Summer Treats

5 Low or No Sugar Refreshing Summer Treats

Posted by Melanie Francis on 19th Jul 2023

Nothing says summer like a cold, refreshing treat. Summer is the time for enjoying popsicles, ice cream and s'mores. But what if you’re trying to limit your sugar intake? Do you have to miss out on all of your favorite sweet summer treats? We don’t think you should have to choose between your health goals and the joy that comes from digging into a sweet drink or frozen treat.

That’s why we created 5 Sparrows and our line of stevia-sweetened drink mixes and coffee creamers. We believe it’s important to treat yourself, but we also value health and feeling good, too.

So, to celebrate a sugar-free summer, we put together 5 low or no sugar refreshing summer treats that you can enjoy without sacrificing your health.

These recipes all feature our 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix which is a great base for everything from smoothies and frappés to homemade fudgesicles (check out the recipe below). Our frappe and smoothie base creates a smooth consistency, is not overly sweet, and is very versatile. It really lets the star ingredients in the recipe shine. All while keeping the overall sugar content low.

Grab your sunnies and your favorite book and relax with one of these refreshing low sugar recipes. Which will you try first?

Low Sugar S’mores Frappe

Who doesn’t have memories of sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows to the perfect gold brown before squeezing the gooey marshmallow between graham crackers and chocolate? This frappé has all the flavors of a s’more without the sugar or sticky fingers and face.

Ingredients

16 oz cup ice

8 oz coconut milk

¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix (link)

¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Dark Cocoa Drink Mix

1 square (½ sheet) graham cracker, crushed

Sugar-Free Whipped Cream -link to the existing recipe

Directions

Fill 16 oz glass with ice

Pour ice into a blender

Add coconut milk, 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix, 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Dark Cocoa Drink Mix

Blend and pour into 16 oz glass

Place 1 square (½ sheet) graham cracker in a plastic, zip lock bag. Crush with the bottom of a glass

Stir graham cracker crumbs into the prepared drink

Top with 5 Sparrows Sugar-Free Whipped Cream to add the “marshmallow”

Serve with a large straw and enjoy!

Stevia-Sweetened Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie bowls are a great way to mix up your smoothie routine and get creative. I’m not sure about you, but in the summer, the thought of cooking a hot breakfast is not appealing. Smoothie bowls allow you to add texture and flavor and are easily customizable to your taste or your family’s preferences.

Ingredients

16 oz cup ice

6 oz coconut milk

1 scoop 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix

2 scoops 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Dark Cocoa Mix

1 small banana, sliced

2 tablespoons peanut butter

Unsweetened coconut flakes

Sugar-free chocolate chips

Fill 16 oz glass with ice.

Pour into the blender.

Add 6 oz coconut milk, 2 Tbsp 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix, ¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Dark Cocoa Mix and half of the sliced banana, and 2 Tbsp peanut butter.

Blend and pour into a bowl.

Top with remaining sliced banana, unsweetened coconut flakes and sugar-free semi-sweet chocolate chips

Enjoy!

Sugar-Free Pina Colada

Nothing will make you feel like you’re on vacation faster than sipping a pina colada with an umbrella. Traditional pina coladas can be packed with sugar, but not ours. You get all the vacation vibes without the sugar.

If you’ve been looking for a diabetic-friendly, sugar-free summer drink, this is it. The pineapple is refreshing, and the combination of coconut milk and our 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix makes this pina colada super creamy.

Grab a fun glass, straw and a cute drink umbrella and get ready to feel like you’ve escaped to your own private island.

Ingredients

16 oz cup ice

8 oz coconut milk

¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix

1-2 drops Pineapple extract

2 oz White Rum

Squeeze of lime (optional)

Large Straw

Drink Umbrella

Directions

Fill 16 oz glass with ice.

Pour into the blender.

Add 8 oz coconut milk, ¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix), pineapple extract, and 2 oz white rum, and lime

Blend and pour into a serving glass.

Serve with a large straw and a cute drink umbrella.

Cheers to low carb summer vibes!

Zero Sugar Chocolate Cherry Fudgesicle

Who doesn’t have memories of sitting around a hot summer day eating fudgesicles? Trying to eat yours faster than can melt with sweet chocolate dripping down your chin. These pops have all the nostalgia with none of the sugar.

Creamy, cool, chocolatey fudgesicles without the sugar. This homemade, zero-sugar chocolate cherry fudgesicle recipe is going to be a new favorite in your house.

The cherries give these sweet frozen treats a grownup twist and extra flavor boost. But, if you aren’t a fan of cherries, you can follow the same recipe and just leave the cherries out for a more classic take on the fudgesicle.

Ingredients

1 16 oz. can unsweetened coconut milk

½ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Dark Cocoa Mix

¼ cup 5 Sparrows Stevia Sweetened Frappe & Smoothie Drink Mix

½ cup frozen cherries, chopped

Directions

Add coconut milk, dark cocoa mix and frappe and smoothie mix to a blender

Blend until smooth

Mix in cherries

Pour into popsicle molds of your choice

Freeze

Enjoy!



Sugar-Free Spiced Chai Smoothie

It’s hot, you’ve had a long day, and you feel like you deserve a treat. You want something cool and refreshing that feels like an indulgence. Instead of turning to a milkshake or sugar-packed frappe that will destroy your diet goals, though, reach for a sugar-free spiced chai smoothie.

Easy and quick to make, this spiced chai smoothie is flavored with our Sugar-Free Spiced Chai Drink Mix and made with our Sugar-Free Frappe & Smoothie Base. Perfectly sweet, just a little spicy, and chilly and velvety in texture, this smoothie is a great way to spice up your daily routine. Bulk it up with unsweetened coconut milk or your favorite milk alternative, and add some instant espresso powder or cold coffee for an extra boost.

While we love this drink as an afternoon pick-me-up, it’s also a great addition to brunch with friends, or as a sweet treat after a family dinner. Reach for it any time you want to satisfy your sweet tooth without knocking your goals off track. You can also add more protein with some natural peanut butter or a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder.

Here’s how to make your own spiced chai smoothie:

!