As summer is right around the corner, everyone is trying their best to beat the heat and stay hydrated. It has become a necessity to consume as much water and other liquids as possible. Thankfully, India has a ton of options for cooling summertime drinks. From roadside ganne ka juice and nimbu pani to homemade mango smoothies, the options are endless! But if you’re looking for more drinks that can easily be made at home, stress no more! We have curated 10 very cool desi options to quench your thirst.
Sol Kadhi:
This Konkan delicacy is extremely popular in western regions of India like Maharashtra and Goa. It can be made easily by mixing kokum extract and coconut milk with a pinch of salt and tempering with an assortment of whole spices. The kokum imparts a lovely pinkish color to the drink and adds to the tart flavor. The recipe can also easily be made keto-friendly. Aside from being super tasty, Sol Kadhi also has a ton of health and digestive benefits.
Piyush:
Born on the coasts of Maharashtra, this sweet summer drink is made using buttermilk, curds, shrikhand, and sugar. Simply mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth and creamy, then chill it in the refrigerator. The yellow color imparted to the drink truly makes it stand out. You can flavour Piyush with saffron, pistachios, and other dry fruits of choice and enjoy it chilled whenever you heart desires.
Panagam:
This South Indian drink, also known as Panakam, is a combination of jiggery, lemon juice, dry ginger powder, pepper, and cardamom with a little bit of water. This drink is especially prepared during Ram Navmi but can be easily made every day as well. Though it may have slight variations in spices, jaggery and lemon are constants.
Nannari:
This South Indian drink is made by boiling Indian Sarsaparilla or Nannari roots with sugar, water, and lemon juice. The concoction can be mixed with either milk or water, depending on regional preference. Aside from tasting delicious, the roots are also said to have a range of medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. Truly a traditional way to beat the heat!
Lassi:
It wouldn’t be fair to talk about summer drinks and not mention the king of summer-Lassi! This classic Punjabi drink can be made with just three ingredients: curd, ice cubes, and sugar. And you can replace the sugar with salt if you don't have that big of a sweet tooth. Nowadays, people also experiment with lassi and try to infuse the flavour of seasonal fruits into it. Mango Lassi would be a very good example of this. So, what are you waiting for? Go make yourself a delicious glass of lassi and be transported to the khets of Punjab!
Kanji:
Though Kanji is thought of as a Holi drink in North India, it is loaded with flavors and cooling properties that can be enjoyed all year long. This fermented, water-based drink is traditionally made using carrots, mustard, and salt, which makes it nutrient rich. Some variations also use beetroot. It is also a great digestive aid and has probiotic properties.
Chaas (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk, or chaas, is a widely consumed drink all across India. The best part is that the same drink has so many different variations in different regions. For instance, in Maharashtra, Taak is buttermilk that is spiced with jeera powder, hing, green chilli, ginger, coriander, and rock salt. In South India, Neer Mor is similar except that it contains a tempering of curry leaves and mustard. And nowadays, there are different variations like masala chaas, cucumber chaas, beetroot chaas, and more.
Aam Panna:
Talking about summer without mentioning Aam Panna seems illegal. This delicious sour drink is made using unripe green mangoes or Kairi. It provides ample hydration and is a great way to combat heat exhaustion. There are many different ways in which aam panna can be prepared, and all variations arise in the ways of cooking the mango.
Jal jeera:
Jal Jeera is a refreshing drink made with cumin, tamarind, lemon, black salt, chaat masala, and other ingredients. People come up with their own versions of the drink. Most variations arise by using soda instead of water and making jal jeera-flavored sodas. Since it has many digestive benefits and is not overly sweet, it can easily be added to your day-to-day summer diet.
Thandai:
Even though Thandai is a classic Holi drink, one can still enjoy its delicious flavor all year. This milk-based drink is typically flavoured with rose petals, almonds, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, watermelon, cardamom, saffron, and sugar. And adding most of these ingredients enhances its cooling properties a fair bit. If you want an aromatic drink, you cannot go wrong with this one!
So, which one of these drinks would you make to beat the heat?