I began to drink a lot of coffee my first year of college, especially on late nights working on papers or studying for an exam. Coffee was like the icing on my cake, and with a few drops of espresso, it gave me the right amount of energy that I needed to get through the day.

Going to the little shop in the library for a drink became a habit. It was easy to get to, and I could try different flavored drinks like pumpkin latte and white mocha.

In one week, I’d spend anywhere from 30 to 40 dollars on coffee. To some people this may not sound like a lot, but in a month it would add up to almost $200.

Although I am still in favor of having those pick-me-up drinks, I wanted to budget a little better so that I could spend some of that cash on other things.

I also wanted to consume other drinks that I felt could improve my health and give me that boost of energy naturally. There are three drinks that I recommend to achieve this.

The first drink is called ‘The Sunshine.’ Together, mix a few slices of oranges and lemons with water, adding slices of blood orange if possible. Add about 2-3 slices per 8 ounces of water for a natural boost without the sugar from fruit juice.

The second drink is called ‘Refresh.’ Mix pineapples, strawberries and coconut with water. Pineapples are very rich in potassium and known to have more Vitamin C than oranges. Strawberries are extremely high in Vitamin C as well.

This mix is also rich in other essential nutrients like fiber and folic acid, providing necessary energy without any added unhealthy ingredients.

Third is a drink that I like to call ‘Green Magic.’ Mix green tea with cucumber and melon, leading to a delicious, unique energy boost. Green tea contains caffeine and is a great alternative to espresso, and should not lead to the jitters like coffee too often does. Some athletes who drink green tea will find that it increases their endurance, among it’s many other benefits.

All the ingredients above can be bought at the grocery store or the farmer’s market, and the cost of the fresh produce will be far less than buying Starbucks everyday.

While stocking up on fresh fruit, feel free to mix and match any, not just these three combinations, to infuse in water or tea for a great boost any time of the day.

My favorite thing about these healthy mixtures is the natural consistency for the body. These drinks contain no additives. It is fruit and water and works like a charm. Simply let the fruit infuse in water for about an hour, refrigerate to preference and enjoy these healthy coffee alternatives. You can thank me later.