Summers are notorious for leaving everyone feeling fatigued and exhausted. Thanks to the soaring temperatures, energy levels are at an all-time low. This means that there is no energy left to perform daily chores, and productivity levels drop. This makes it very important to keep one well hydrated during the scorching summer heat. And while water is the best drink, you can also try other refreshing summer coolers to maintain your body temperature.
We suggest you some of the best summer drinks that you cannot miss out on.
Jal Jeera
As the name suggests, the drink is a simple combination of water and cumin seeds. The cumin seeds are roasted and powdered, and then mixed with water. The drink is also very good for people who are struggling with digestion problems.
Ingredients
150 grams tamarind pulp
1 tsp cumin, roasted and powdered
3 tbsp mint leaves
50 grams jaggery diluted in a little water
1 tbsp grated ginger
½ tsp salt
4 tbsp lemon juice
A pinch of red chilli powder
½ tsp garam masala
½ litre water
Method:
- Simply blitz everything together in a mixer.
- Cool overnight, strain and serve.
Buttermilk
Also known as chaas, buttermilk is a famous curd based summer cooler. Buttermilk has a lot of health benefits, and one should have a glass of buttermilk every day after lunch to beat the heat. It aids digestions and also prevents heat strokes.
Ingredients:
2 cups plain curd
4-5 curry leaves
A bunch of coriander leaves, chopped
2 green chillies, finely chopped
1tsp rock salt
2 cups water
Method:
- Combine all the ingredients together, except the water.
- Use a blender to combine everything together.
- Dilute with the water and mix well.
- Serve cold garnished with some coriander leaves and chaat masala.
Lassi
A popular drink in north India, Punjabis are particularly fond of this sweet drink. A great summer cooler, lassi is just sweetened curd. People also make flavoured lassi, such as mango lassi and rose lassi to beat the summer heat.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain curd
¼ to ½ cup water
2 tsp sugar
Method:
- Simply combine everything together and blend.
- Serve chilled.
Coconut water
Nothing can be better than a glass of chilled coconut water on a warm and sunny day. In fact, coconut water also makes for a great electrolyte, and is good to have when you feel dehydrated. The drink is especially popular in southern India, since coconuts grow in abundance there. You can, however, also find decent tasting coconut water in the northern side too, if you look hard enough.
Aam Panna
Aam Panna is made from the king of all fruits- the delicious mango. Extremely popular in Maharashtra, the drink is a refreshing mix of mango pulp, flavoured with cumin and mint. Not only is this drink an excellent way to quench your thirst, but it will also boost your energy levels.
Ingredients:
500 grams green mangoes
½ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp each of sea salt, rock salt and cumin powder
2 cups water
Mint leaves as per taste
Method:
- Boil the mangoes till they become completely soft.
- Remove the skin of the fruit, and squeeze all the pulp out from the fruit.
- Add in the remaining ingredients, and blend with the water.
- Serve cold with some ice cubes in tall glasses.
Sugarcane juice
Sugarcane juice is one of the best summer drinks out there! Hands down, nothing can beat a glass of chilled sugarcane juice on a really hot day. It is a great misfortune that you cannot make this delicious drink at home. But you will find plenty of roadside vendors offering this juice to quench your thirst. A good glass of sugarcane juice contains fresh juice, along with lemon, ginger and mint for added flavour. The juice is also very good for health. It not provides a boost to the energy levels, but also helps to build up plasma and body fluids. This helps the body to fight away dehydration and dullness.
Barley water
Barley water is yet another famous summer cooler. In fact, it is the age old remedy for good health. This simple yet refreshing drink is made up of pearl barley, salt, water, some honey and lemon.
Ingredients
¼ cup pearl barley
4 cups water
½ tsp salt
1 tsp honey, optional
Method:
- Combine the water and pearl barley in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add in the salt, and let the mixture cook on low flame for around 30 minutes.
- Strain into a glass, add in the honey and lemon if you like.
- Let cool completely before serving.
If you like, you can add any flavourings that you prefer, such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, etc. Also, the leftover grains make for excellent cereals, salads and thickening agents, so make sure that you do not discard them.
Lemonade
Lemonade is the most common summer cooler in all of India. Even though the drink is really simple, it easily beats all other summer drinks. Simple yet versatile, you can innovate the good old lemonade any way you like.
Ingredients:
Lemon juice of 3 lemons
1 cup soda water
1 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp coriander power
1 tsp chaat masala
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp rock salt
½ tsp cumin powder
Method:
- Combine the spices, sugar and lemon juice together.
- Top it up with soda water, and mix well to incorporate everything together.
- Serve chilled.
Fresh fruit juice
Packed with important vitamins and minerals, and the goodness of fruits, fresh fruit juices are a must have in your daily diet. Choose any fruit that you like, simply pulse it in the mixer (be sure to remove the seeds and skin), add in some salt and you are good to go. Or if you prefer, you can even mix and match fruits of your choice for that ultimate mixed fruit juice.
Smoothies
Smoothies are thick and dense, and are an absolute delight to have. After all, who does not love a good smoothie? Not only can you play around with the fruits and other ingredients, but you can even create your own smoothie recipes that you love the most!
Ingredients:
¾ cup apple cubes
1 banana, mashed
1 grated cucumber
Method:
- Simply combine everything except the ice cream, and use a blender to incorporate.
- Serve in tall glasses with a scoop of ice cream.