Like so many people, work and running around will keep me busy on these upcoming warm days of summer, though I’ll still get in some beach time! If you’re fanning away the heat waves and dreaming of coolness, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best recipes to help beat the heat with these cool summer soups that are light, tasty and easy to prepare.

1. Watermelon Gazpacho

Watermelon and cucumbers provide a juicy, sweet and slightly spicy flavor to this marvelous version of gazpacho. I often add some cilantro or dill to give it a different taste. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint when serving and you’ll be in for a delight!

2. Radish Gazpacho

The peppery flavor of radish and Worcestershire sauce will give you a sharp taste in this gazpacho. Toss the ingredients into a blender or food processor and you will have a hearty meal that can be put together quickly in case unexpected guests drop in. Another great value in this recipe is that you can make enough to freeze a batch for later. When you’re ready, just thaw and enjoy!

3. Chilled Yogurt Soup

This soup makes me want to dance and shout “Opa!” with this cool combo of cucumbers and yogurt. A bit of garlic and chili powder will add some pizazz to the flavors, which you can adjust to your own taste. Pair up with pita bread and you have a wonderful Mediterranean-inspired dish.

4. Creamy Cucumber Soup

I love this cucumber and yogurt variation, especially as the addition of avocado to this recipe gives it a silky touch. You can substitute buttermilk or sour cream for the yogurt to vary the taste and then add a spoonful or two of honey to sweeten. The flavors play well off each other to give this soup its distinctive taste.

5. Sparkling Pineapple Soup

The ‘sparkling’ in this recipe is wine or champagne, though you can also use white grape juice or apple cider for an excellent non-alcoholic version. The way to give this refreshing soup a tropical twist is to add a few teaspoons of toasted coconut and macadamia nuts as garnishes. You can also vary the taste by blending in pear or mango for half of the pineapple. Either makes a wonderful complement!

6. Strawberry-Orange Soup

I love it when a combination of flavors and healthy ingredients come together so perfectly in a dish as appealing as this summer soup. The blender is my friend in quickly making this recipe and adding a bit of cardamom will definitely give you a spicy uplift without the heat.

7. Melon Soup

Melons really make summer bearable and they certainly bring excitement to this soup! The great thing about this recipe is that you can use a variety of melons to make it different each time you prepare it. Add a few tablespoons of grappa for a subtle hint of wine and top with your favorite berries and a sprig of mint to bring out the smiles and fresh coolness.

8. Cool Cantaloupe Soup with Basil Cream

I like to add a little ‘mambo’ to my summer days by mixing up this 10-minute recipe. The cream blends well (no pun intended) with the mildness of cantaloupe and you can always use yogurt (flavored or plain) or light cream to tone down the calories without losing the great taste. Add about 1/2 cup of pineapple to the mix for variety. If you want to give it an extra sharpness, use a small amount of fresh ginger when blending. Add a sprig of mint or some cilantro leaves on top for garnish and serve over ice in a pilsner or champagne glass to bring some sparkling ‘class’ to your table by the poolside.

9. Cool Herbed Zucchini Soup

I never thought of squash as a summer refresher, but this soup will give your taste buds an idea of the terrific possibilities. It is not only delicious in taste but adding some cashews (soak to soften before blending with the other ingredients) will give you a bowlful of antioxidants and vitamin A to make a very healthy and cool addition to your summer fare. You can make this a day in advance for those spur-of-the-moment get togethers or picnics.

10. Spiced Blueberry Soup

Rounding off our ‘beat the heat’ summer soups list, feast your eyes and appetite on this delectable and fruity soup. A very simple recipe, you can spice it up by adding just a bit of allspice and cinnamon with a couple squeezes of lemon juice (substituting for the orange juice). The lemon will give it slightly more tartness. To balance out the sharpness of the fruits, I may add a cup of yogurt (vanilla or Greek-style would work the best) for a really smooth soup.

Surprising coolness, right? All of these delectable choices will bring refreshment to quench the heat and are sure to be a hit all summer. Simple to prepare with so many possible variations, you and your friends can finish off a warm evening or weekend with these summer soups and keep your cool for the week ahead. Let’s get started!

Featured photo credit: Ingredients for gazpacho cold soup in a blender, outdoors via shutterstock.com