Feeling the summer heat creep in? Before you reach for another glass of water, wait – there’s a whole world of traditional Indian summer drinks just waiting to quench your thirst and tantalize your taste buds. These chilled elixirs have been beating the Indian summer for centuries, with flavors as rich as the culture they come from. In this article, we’ll explore 10 classic summer drinks that’ll keep you cool while reminding you why Indian summers are magical. From the tart pop of raw mango to the gentle creaminess of almond milk, you’ll find old favorites and new delights. Don’t sweat through the season – sip your way through it instead. With the right drink in hand, you can savor the summer.
A- Top 10 Traditional Indian Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat
1. Nimbu Pani (Lemonade):
Nimbu pani is a refreshing summer classic. To make this tangy drink, simply squeeze the juice from fresh lemons and combine with sugar and water. You can adjust the amounts to your taste, but a good place to start is the juice from 4-6 lemons, 3/4 to 1 cup of sugar and 4 to 6 cups of water. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
Chill before serving
For maximum refreshment, chill your nimbu pani for at least 2 hours before enjoying. The cool temperature will be soothing on a hot day. You can also add some ice cubes for an icy treat.
Customize the flavor
Once you have the basic lemonade down, experiment with different flavorings and garnishes. A few mint leaves, sliced cucumber or chopped ginger are all great additions. For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder. The options are endless, so get creative!
Nimbu pani is the perfect antidote to the sweltering heat. And with so many possible variations, you’ll never get bored of this classic Indian summer drink. Stay hydrated and beat the heat with a cool glass of nimbu pani!
2. Aam Panna (Raw Mango Drink):
Made from tart green mangoes, aam panna offers a refreshing tangy flavor that instantly cools you on a hot summer day.
How To Make
The mangoes are boiled and mashed to make a pulp, then blended with cumin, black salt, sugar and mint leaves. The blend of sweet and sour is perfectly balanced, with a hint of spice from the cumin.
Health Benefits
The raw mango provides vitamin C, potassium and other minerals to replenish what you lose in sweat. Mint leaves add freshness while cumin boosts digestion. Black salt provides electrolytes like sodium and potassium chloride. Together, these ingredients create a hydrating and nourishing drink that combats the heat.
Aam panna has been a beloved summer tradition for centuries in North India. Street vendors sell the neon green drink from roadside stalls, ladling it into glasses for thirsty customers. Families also make large batches at home to share with friends and neighbors. The vibrant color and tangy aroma are nostalgic for many.
Each refreshing sip of aam panna transports you to lazy summer days of childhood. Yet its balanced blend of flavors and nutritional benefits make it appealing to all ages. When the temperatures rise, nothing quenches your thirst quite like a chilled glass of this Indian lemonade. Aam panna is summer in a cup.
3. Jaljeera:
Jaljeera is a spicy and tangy drink that will invigorate your senses.
How To Make
Made from a blend of roasted cumin seeds, mint, tamarind and black salt, jaljeera offers a refreshing zest that helps combat the sweltering heat.
The tartness of tamarind is balanced with the aromatic flavor of cumin and mint. A sprinkle of black salt provides a savory kick. This blend of spices and herbs is mixed with water to create a drink bursting with flavor. Each sip of the pale yellow jaljeera will awaken your taste buds and refresh your body from within.
Health Benefits
Jaljeera is praised for its digestive properties and antioxidant content. Cumin, in particular, contains compounds that can ease bloating and improve absorption. Mint additionally has antioxidants that help flush out toxins. This makes jaljeera an ideal summer beverage for staying hydrated while supporting your health.
A popular street drink during hot summer days, jaljeera is meant to be enjoyed chilled or over ice. The icy temperature enhances the zesty and rejuvenating taste of this traditional Indian beverage. With each chilled glass, feel the invigorating effects of jaljeera as the heat melts away.
4. Chaas (Buttermilk):
A Refreshing Drink
Chaas, also known as buttermilk, is a refreshing yogurt-based drink that provides relief from the summer heat. Made from curdled milk and seasoned with roasted cumin seeds, mint, coriander and salt, chaas has a tangy and creamy texture that cools and rehydrates the body.
Health Benefits
In addition to its refreshing qualities, chaas offers many health benefits. As a probiotic, it improves gut health and digestion. It is also a good source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin B12. Chaas can help reduce inflammation in the body and even aid weight loss when consumed regularly. For the best results, choose low-fat or fat-free buttermilk and avoid adding sugar.
How to Make Chaas
Chaas is very easy to make at home. Start with 2 cups of low-fat yogurt or buttermilk. Whisk the yogurt until smooth and creamy. Add 1/2 teaspoon of roasted and crushed cumin seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and chopped mint and cilantro leaves. You can also add a pinch of black pepper for some heat. Add 4 cups of water and whisk well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving over ice. Enjoy your chaas!
5. Kokum Sherbet:
Kokum sherbet is a tangy and slightly sweet drink made from kokum fruit, sugar, and water, prized for its cooling properties and ability to aid digestion, making it a popular choice during hot summer days.
Refreshing and Restorative
The tart kokum fruit is packed with antioxidants and nutrients like potassium, manganese and vitamin C which help hydrate, replenish electrolytes and boost immunity. Paired with sugar and water, kokum sherbet offers a restorative blend of sweet and sour flavors that can cool you down on a hot day.
Natural Remedy
In addition to its refreshing taste, kokum sherbet has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments like inflammation, indigestion and dehydration. The kokum fruit contains a compound called garcinol which helps reduce heat in the body and promotes digestion. A glass of chilled kokum sherbet can help restore balance in the summer heat.
Versatile and Delicious
Kokum sherbet makes a delicious and versatile base for cocktails by adding a splash of rum or vodka and garnishing with mint. You can also blend in yogurt or coconut milk for a creamy lassi-inspired drink. For extra nutrition, mix in mango, berries or aloe vera. However you choose to customize it, kokum sherbet offers an adaptable and satisfying way to stay hydrated in style.
6. Thandai:
A sweet, creamy treat.
Thandai is a traditional Indian drink made from a blend of almonds, fennel seeds, cardamom, rose petals, and other spices, mixed with milk and sweetened with sugar, offering a rich and creamy texture with a hint of sweetness. The mixture of spices and rose petals gives thandai an exotic floral aroma and flavor. Thandai’s richness comes from the milk and nuts, while the spices provide a warmth that balances the chill of the drink.
Cooling and comforting.
Thandai is a popular summer drink in North India, where temperatures can soar over 40°C. The milk and nuts provide nourishment, while the spices have a cooling effect. Thandai is soothing and refreshing, perfect for hot summer nights when you want to unwind. Many people find it has a calming, sedative effect that helps induce sleep.
A festive favorite.
Thandai is traditionally associated with the spring festival of Holi, when people celebrate the arrival of spring by spraying colored powder and water. Thandai adds to the festive atmosphere and is a perfect treat to share with friends and family during Holi. The richness of thandai makes it ideal for celebrating, and its pleasant aroma fills the air with the spirit of the festival.
7. Bel Sherbet (Wood Apple Drink):
Bel sherbet, also known as wood apple drink, is a sweet and tangy beverage made from the pulp of the wood apple fruit.
How To Make
The pulp is mixed with sugar, water, and a splash of lemon juice to create a refreshing drink that is known for its cooling and digestive benefits.
The wood apple, or bel, is a hard, round fruit with a woody exterior that cracks open to reveal a soft, pulpy interior with a sweet and sour taste. This pulp forms the base of bel sherbet. The drink offers a balance of sweet and tangy flavors infused with hints of citrus from the lemon juice.
Health Benefits
Bel sherbet is especially popular during the hot summer months in India because of its ability to cool the body and relieve dehydration. It is also thought to improve digestion due to the natural fibers and nutrients found in the wood apple pulp. The drink is a natural source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can boost your health and refresh you from the inside out.
Whether you call it bel sherbet or wood apple drink, this traditional Indian beverage is the perfect thirst quencher for a hot summer day. Its naturally sweet and tangy taste combined with potential health benefits make it a popular choice to beat the heat. Next time the temperature rises, try a glass of this refreshing sherbet and discover why it’s considered a cooling summer staple.
8. Sugarcane Juice (Ganne ka Ras):
Nothing quite quenches your thirst on a sweltering summer day like a tall glass of sugarcane juice. This all-natural drink is extracted straight from fresh sugarcane stalks and packed with essential nutrients to keep you hydrated. Sugarcane juice is naturally sweetened, but you can also add a squirt of lime or lemon juice for a tangy kick.
Health Benefits
The juice contains potassium, magnesium and other electrolytes that your body loses through sweat. It’s also high in antioxidants like phenols that can help boost your immunity. If your energy is zapped from the heat, the natural sugars in sugarcane juice provide an instant pick-me-up.
Easily Available
You can find sugarcane juice from roadside vendors who press it right in front of you. Watch as they feed whole sugarcane stalks into the spinning rollers of an extractor machine. Out flows the sweet, pale green juice into your glass or bottle. For the most refreshing drink, serve it over ice and garnish it with a sprig of mint.
Sugarcane juice may be sweet, but it’s not just an indulgence. This revitalizing drink is valued for its nutritional and health benefits, especially during the hot summer season. So next time the temperatures rise, reach for a glass of chilled sugarcane juice. Nothing is more satisfying!
9. Sattu Drink:
A nutritious summer cooler, sattu drink is made from roasted chickpea flour (sattu) mixed with water and a squeeze of lemon juice. This protein-packed beverage has a slightly earthy yet refreshing taste and sandy texture that helps beat the heat.
How To Make
Sattu flour is prepared by roasting chickpeas and then grinding them into a fine powder. When mixed with water, the flour absorbs the liquid and takes on a creamy consistency. Sometimes a pinch of salt is also added for extra flavor. This wholesome drink is chock-full of nutrients like iron, magnesium and manganese that provide an energy boost on hot summer days.
Health Benefits and History
Dating back over 5,000 years, sattu originated in India and remains a staple in many North Indian households during summer. It is valued for its cooling properties according to Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. Sattu helps regulate body temperature and prevents overheating when temperatures soar.
You can find sattu flour and the powdered spices to make this traditional Indian refreshment at Indian grocery stores or order them online. Whip up a batch of sattu drink and you’ll be beating the heat in no time! Staying hydrated and energized never tasted so good.
10. Rose Sharbat:
A fragrant and floral drink, rose sharbat is made from rose petals, sugar, water, and a hint of lime juice. Offering a refreshing and rejuvenating taste, this drink is ideal for staying cool and hydrated in the hot summer weather.
How To Make
To make rose sharbat, fresh or dried rose petals are simmered in water with sugar until the liquid takes on an intense rose flavor and aroma. Strained and chilled, the resulting rose-infused syrup is mixed with water and lime juice. You can also add a touch of kewra water or rose water for extra fragrance.
Health Benefits
Light and aromatic, rose sharbat is a soothing antidote to the sweltering heat. The delicate rose flavor provides a refreshing lift while the sugar gives an energy boost. At the same time, the drink has a cooling effect, helping lower body temperature and prevent overheating.
As a bonus, rose petals and lime juice provide vitamin C, an important antioxidant that supports the immune system. With its wonderful rose perfume and thirst-quenching taste, rose sharbat offers a sweet escape from the summer sun. A glass of this traditional floral beverage is all you need to beat the heat in style.
B- Health Benefits of These Refreshing and Hydrating Summer Drinks
1- Aids Digestion
Many of these traditional Indian summer drinks contain ingredients that can improve digestion and gut health. Drinks like jaljeera, aam panna, and kokum sherbet contain tamarind, raw mango, and kokum fruit respectively, which are excellent sources of fiber and help relieve constipation. Chaas or buttermilk contains probiotics that can boost good bacteria in the gut.
2- Boosts Immunity
Ingredients like turmeric, mint, lemon, and mango found in drinks such as nimbu pani, thandai, and aam panna have antioxidant properties which help strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C-rich lemon and mango help protect against cell damage and support the absorption of iron. Mint is also soothing for the stomach and aids digestion.
3- Keeps You Hydrated
These cooling summer drinks are mostly made from water, fruit juices and spices, which are excellent for keeping you hydrated in the summer heat. Sugarcane juice, in particular, contains essential electrolytes like potassium that can prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Rose sherbet and bel sherbet also provide water and electrolytes along with a burst of flavor.
4- Natural Cooling Effect
Ingredients such as mint, rose petals, sandalwood, and saffron used in drinks like thandai, rose sherbet and kesar milk have a cooling effect on the body which helps lower body temperature and prevents overheating in hot weather. The sweet and tangy flavors of mango, lemon and kokum also have a refreshing effect. These traditional beverages are the perfect antidote to beat the summer heat in a healthy way.
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C- FAQs on the Best Summer Drinks in India
1- What are the benefits of traditional Indian summer drinks?
These refreshing summer drinks provide various benefits beyond just cooling you down on a hot day. Drinks like lassi, chaas, and thandai contain yogurt or milk, which provide protein and calcium. Sugarcane juice and aam panna are high in vitamin C. Many summer drinks also have digestive and anti-inflammatory properties from ingredients like cumin, mint, kokum, and raw mango.
2- Are these summer drinks healthy?
Most traditional Indian summer drinks can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. However, some varieties are high in sugar, so enjoy in moderation. It’s best to avoid bottled versions which may contain preservatives and extra sugar. Instead, make your own fresh versions at home using natural ingredients. You can also experiment by reducing the amount of added sugar in recipes.
3- What are some tips for making my own Indian summer drinks?
Here are some tips for making delicious and nutritious Indian summer drinks at home:
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients like lemons, raw mangoes, mint, and cumin seeds.
- Adjust sugar to taste. You can use less sugar or substitute some with stevia.
- For a creamier drink, use low-fat milk, yogurt or coconut milk.
- Add a touch of spice with cayenne pepper, black salt or roasted cumin.
- Garnish your drink with a sprig of mint, sliced citrus, or basil seeds.
- Chill your drinks before serving over ice for maximum refreshment.
- Consider mixing different ingredients to create your own fusion flavors, like mango lassi or cucumber jaljeera.
Staying hydrated in the summer heat is important, so quench your thirst with these timeless Indian summer drinks. They provide natural refreshment along with a burst of flavor and nutrition. Experiment with different recipes to find your perfect summer drink.
Take Away
You’ve now got ten refreshing Indian traditional summer drinks to try this season. With the scorching heat, these flavorful summer drinks will cool you down and keep you hydrated. The best part? They’re made from natural ingredients that offer health benefits too.
From the nostalgic sweetness of rose sharbat to the tangy kick of aam panna, you’ll be delighted by the variety of tastes of these summer drinks. The spices, fruits, herbs, and syrups come together for both comfort and invigoration.
As temperatures continue rising, beat the heat in a healthy way. Keep this list handy and experiment with a new traditional Indian summer drink each day. Stay refreshed and savor the rich flavors of the season. Here’s to staying hydrated in the most delicious way possible!
