The concept of sodas and high-sugar drinks that are filled with preservatives is not something that is native to India. Indians have always believed in making fresh food and beverages by using natural produce. In fact, in common Indian households, there is no practice of using frozen foods or even frozen vegetables to cook food. Everything that is consumed is fresh and healthy. Indians have been making delicious sharbats from different types of fruits, vegetables and flavouring ingredients.
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These sharbats have been consumed by the people of the country for hundreds of years. Most of the time, they're made from different types of seasonal fruits that are available and served chilled. In the earlier days, they were stored in earthen pots to keep the temperature low. However, today, people can make these sharbats and store them in the refrigerator for a long period of time. Here are some delicious sherbets that one can make with seasonal fruits in the summer.
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* Phalsa Sharbat
Phalsa sharbat is made by using phalsa, which is the Indian sharbat berry, along with mint, sugar, lemon, and a lot of ice cubes. This drink is a proper mixture of sweet and sour flavours that is served chilled. As per a study published in the journal Heliyon in 2024, phalsa is a fruit that is rich in vitamin C, has high amounts of antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It is also antidiabetic. With so many health benefits, the taste of this drink is also very refreshing and delicious.
* Bael Panna
Bael is one of the favourite fruits of Indian people, especially during the summer season. Bael sharbat can be found being sold on the street side by a lot of vendors during the summer, as it has cooling effects on the stomach and also helps in improving gut health. Many people think that it is very hard to make this drink at home. However, one can easily make it by taking the flesh of the fruit in a bowl and mixing some water, cardamom powder, cumin powder, jaggery powder, and some other ingredients that one would like to add. All of this has to be separated with the help of a sieve and served with some ice cubes.
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* Kokum Sharbat
Kokum sharbat is one of the most popular recipes in India, as it is not only hydrating but also has a cooling effect on the body. It is the perfect drink to make when one is feeling extremely dehydrated and hot. This simple drink is made by taking the kokum fruit and extracting its syrup. The syrup is diluted with some water and then served chilled. The kokum fruit is already quite sweet on its own but if one wants, they can add some jaggery powder to the sharbat for extra sweetness. This easy-to-make drink is also very light.
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* Aloo Bukhara Sharbat
Aloo Bukhara or plums, are a powerhouse of different types of vitamins and also have anti-inflammatory properties. The best variety of plums is available during summer and these are used for a variety of purposes. The best way to make use of delicious summer plums is to make a nice and refreshing drink for their health.
One doesn't have to do a lot to make this refreshing beverage. You have to simply take the peels off the plum and extract the juice from the flesh. In this flesh, one can add some sugar or jaggery powder, as plums have a sweet and sour taste. Remember to keep it in the refrigerator for some time so that it becomes chilled before serving it. One can consume it as it is or dilute it a little bit with water.
* Aam Panna
Aam panna is made with raw mangoes, mint leaves, sugar, ice, black salt, and some roasted cumin. It is one of the most loved summer drinks in India because of its tangy and sweet flavours. It is also irresistibly refreshing and has a very soothing effect on the stomach.
As opposed to the other drinks on the list, aam panna is a bit thicker in texture. This flavourful drink is served with some mint leaves on top, along with a hint of lemon juice. It can be consumed on its own as well as drunk while eating a meal.
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* Jamun Sharbat
Jamuns have an enticing sweet-and-sour taste and are abundantly available during the summer. One can make some delicious jamun sharbat at home by extracting the jamun juice and mixing it with water, Himalayan salt, black pepper and some ice cubes. The mixture of all these ingredients is going to make a rejuvenating drink that can be prepared in under 10 minutes.