Do you crave something refreshing these days? The scorching summerish days make the majority of us crave something cool yet delectable. Our most preferable way to beat the heat during summertime is to drink exotic summer coolers. Besides, seasonal items like mangoes, watermelons, cucumber .etc. are the epitome of freshness, especially in summers.

We have all learned truckloads of recipes during the pandemic but who wants to spend so much time in a hot kitchen? On such days, all we want to cook is something facile that requires minimum ingredients. So, let’s have a look at some easy-to-make appetizers that will tickle your tongue.

Beat the heat this summer with these refreshing recipes

Watermelon Lemonade

Watermelons and lemons are distinct yet similar. They belong to different categories but both have nutritional qualities. How about merging these essential summer ingredients and turning them into a summer cooler?

Ingredients

• Watermelon cubes- 6 cups
• Lemon juice- 2 cups
• Fresh mint leaves- 10 leaves
• Sugar- as per taste
• Chilled water- 2 cups

Procedure

Procedure

1. In a glass jar, add coffee granules along with sugar and vanilla essence.
2. Microwave the water for a minute, pour it into the jar, and stir until dissolved.
3. Dilute the coffee with chilled water(1/2 cup) and stir to combine.
4. In the end, add milk of choice and stir to combine and give it another good stir.
5. Top it with chocolate sauce and cocoa powder. Serve with a straw and enjoy the Starbucks feels.

Hang Curd Sandwich

You must be pondering that how can a sandwich beat the heat? Well, as they contain cooling elements like mint, cucumber, and curd, these sandwiches would surely cool you down in a hot summery day. Eat them toasted or as it is, either way, they are mouth-watering.

Ingredients

• Curd- 250 grams
• Bread- 8-10 slices
• Capsicum- 1/4 cup
• Chopped cucumber- 1/4 cup
• Green chili- 1
• Mint- 10-15 leaves
• Butter- 2 tsp
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Use a muslin cloth to hang the curd to strain the water or with the help of a strainer.
2. Take a bowl and mix the hung curd with blended mint leaves/powdered mint, chopped cucumbers, capsicums, and green chili.
3. In addition to the minty curd mix, put seasoning of salt, pepper, and oregano(optional). Further, give everything a good mix.
4. Now, your sandwich spread is ready and it’s time to spread it.
5. In order to make the sandwich, take a bread slice and spread two spoons of spread over it.
6. Cover it with another bread slice and cut it into two slices.
7. You can skip the grilling part but if you want to, then put butter on the griller and grill until golden brown.
8. Cook both the sides well and serve the crispy cool sandwiches with mint chutney.

Raw Mango Juice( Mango Panna)

Surely, your grandmothers must’ve made this for you during summers when you used to come home after a tiring day at school. It is made from unripe green mangoes and is flavorsome as well as good for digestion.

Ingredients

• Green raw mangoes- 2
• Sugar/ jaggery- 3 tsp
• Water- 2 cups
• Mint leaves- 2 tsp
• Cumin powder- 1 tsp
• Black salt- 2 tsp
• Salt- 1 tsp
• Ice

Procedure

1. Place the mangoes along with water in a pan and boil it until it softens.
2. As soon as they cool, peel them off with a light object.
3. Make a thick paste with the mango pulp and a sufficient amount of water.
4. Add sugar or jaggery into the mixture and stir on the flame until fully dissolved.
5. Season it with black salt, cumin powder, and salt as per taste and your concentrate is ready.
6. Pour and mix your concentrate in a glass of iced water.
7. Garnish with mint leaves and the cooler is ready to be served.

Oreo Milkshake

Oreo is one of the most popular ingredients used in cakes, shakes and other desserts. It makes the dishes creamy and chocolaty at the same time. With a bit cookie crunch and thick creamy texture, no wonder why people drool over this milkshake.

Ingredients

• Oreos- Basic pack or 10 biscuits
• Whole milk- 1 cup
• Vanilla ice cream- 2 scoops
• Chocolate syrup- 1 tsp
• Powdered coffee- 1 tsp

Procedure

1. Crush the Oreos and put them in a blender along with 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream, milk, and coffee. Keep blending until smooth.
2. Pour the thick shake into a glass jar and top it with another vanilla scoop.
3. Crush the remaining Oreos and garnish them on the topped vanilla ice cream along with the chocolate syrup.
4. Add ice cubes and serve with a straw for a decadent treat.

Mint Raita

Something seems missing whenever we eat biryani or kebabs without any accompaniment. Also, the heat these food items create is compensated with the freshness of mint and curd. So, here’s an easy recipe for the raita that can be alone as well as an accompaniment to various dishes.

Ingredients

• Mint Leaves- 3/4 cup
• Coriander leaves
• Cumin- 1/2 tsp
• Sugar- 1/2 tsp
• Salt- as per taste
• Curd- 1.5 cups
• Green chili
• Chopped cucumber- 2 tsp

Procedure

1. Roast cumin and keep it until cool. Then, put it in a blender and blend until powdered.
2. Besides, wash mint and coriander leaves. Put them in a blender and blend them along with the cumin powder.
3. Add yogurt, chili, salt, and sugar to the blender and blend for a few seconds.
4. Once the smooth mixture is made, add a few spoons of chopped cucumbers and mix well.
5. Serve the mint raita with any food item to give a cool effect in summers.

Cucumber Cooler

A healthy and hydrating summer drink to give you relief from the scorching heat outside that is made with the goodness of cucumber. It is the perfect combination of tangy, salty, and sweet. The cucumber can also be substituted with fruits like orange and kiwi.

Ingredients

• Cucumber
• Water- 3 cups
• Sugar- 3 tsp
• Mint leaves-6 (approx)
• Lime juice- 4 tsp
• Black salt- 1 tsp
• Ice cubes

Procedure

1. Peel the cucumber and chop it into fine pieces.
2. Add the chopped cucumber to a blender along with water, sugar, and mint leaves. Blend until smooth
3. Strain the pulp using a strainer and extract the maximum amount of liquid.
4. Now, add the remaining water, lime juice, and black salt to the cucumber juice.
5. Pour the drink in glasses after proper stirring and garnish with sliced limes and mint leaves.
6. Add ample ice cubes and serve the epitome of freshness.

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Mango Lassi

Who doesn’t like Lassi? Not many, I guess. After all, what better way to consolidate the pleasantness of mangoes with the tartness of the yogurt. Also, it is less arduous.

Ingredients

• 1 chopped mango
• Plain yogurt- 1 cup
• Milk- 1/2 cup
• Sugar- 4 tsp
• Cardamom
• Ice cubes

Procedure

1. Ripe the mango and chop it into fine pieces.
2. In a blender, put mango, yogurt, milk, sugar, and cardamom and blend for a minute or two.
3. Blend the ice cubes or top it up with the cubes.
4. Pour the lassi into a glass and sprinkle cardamom powder on top of it.
5. Serve to escape the sweat.

Frozen Fruit Pizza

Are you aware of the non-bake pizzas? Rather, pizzas that make you feel refreshed. This pizza is a bit unique as it is healthy, cool and easy-to-make. A perfect breakfast, full of whole grain as well as protein.

Ingredients

• Whole-grain tortilla
• Peanut butter/ fruit jelly/cream cheese/ flavored yogurt (spreads)
• Frozen Apple
• Banana
• Pineapple
• Kiwi
• Chocolate chips

Procedure

1. Spread the whole grain crust with one of the sauces or you can even blend more.
2. Add the chopped fruit toppings. Make sure that the toppings are frozen so that it gives a cooling effect.
3. Garnish chocolate chips on it and it is ready to serve.
4. You can cut your fruit pizza into wedges. Furthermore, you can wrap it like a quesadilla. Just grab and eat.