Forget the soft drink or boring bottled water. On hot days,it's easy to improvise. You can create thirst-soothing, yummy summer drinksthat are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.

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Start at your local fruit stand: Mangos, papayas, peaches,berries, watermelons, cantaloupes, kiwis, and grapes are among summer'schoices.

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Keep things low-tech: try the blender, the sun tea jar, the icecube tray. Soon you'll be making fruity smoothies, slushes, icy teas, and evenvitamin-packed ice cubes.

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To help us create these healthy thirst-quenchers, WebMD turnedto two dietitians who like to keep things simple.

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Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, is WebMD Weight Loss Clinic's"Recipe Doctor," and author of The Flaxseed Cookbook. TiffanyBarrett, MS, RD, LD, is a clinical dietitian at the Winship Cancer Institute ofEmory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

Starting Simple

Instead of plain water, try a sparkling water. "Just makesure it's not sweetened," Magee tells WebMD. Seltzer water has less sodiumthan club soda; dress it up with a fruit wedge. "Or submerge a strawberryin bubbly water," she suggests.

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For the classic iced tea, why not try green tea? By oneestimate, both green and black teas have 10 times the antioxidants found infruits and veggies. Experiment with different tea blends. Try adding a bit of100% fruit juice for extra antioxidants.

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Want an exotic touch? Brew green tea leaves with spearmintleaves -- the traditional Moroccan mint tea. You'll need a teapot for this.According to custom, the brewed tea is served hot in a small glass (like a shotglass). Add a tiny bit of sweetener, if you wish. For iced tea, dilute thebrewed tea and chill.

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Just keep this in mind: "If tea is decaffeinated, you'rereally hydrating," Magee tells WebMD.

Red Wine Tastes Fine

Red wine is an antioxidant-packed alcoholic drink. "I neveradvise people to start drinking wine if they don't already -- but if you're awine drinker, be happy that it's good for you," Barrett tells WebMD.

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Red wine is the inspiration for Spanish sangria. It's easy:Start with a hefty jug of red burgundy wine, then a cup (or so) 100% fruitjuice, plus cut oranges and apples. Add some rum (or brandy) plus soda water(or ginger ale) for fizz. Let the flavors blend overnight in the refrigerator.Sangria is a great punch-bowl drink.

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Wine spritzers also dilute wine's alcohol content. Diet gingerale or soda water is all you need to add, says Barrett.