It is the season for fruit juice, smoothies, and milkshakes in Kolkata as temperatures soar. Although, to be fair, Kolkata’s fruit juices are not as well-known as those in Delhi and Bengaluru, yet there are some must-visit juice joints in the ‘city of joy’, some as old as a century.
Kolkata has juice shops that range from the traditional to the innovative. Apart from the regular mosambi and orange juices, there are a whole host of delicious combinations of fruit juices, depending on seasonal availability, as well as sherbets and syrups, in Kolkata. Here is a list of top five juice centres where you can enjoy unique flavoured juices, such as rose malai, spicy tamarind, creamy orange-banana.
1. Paramount
Located on College Street, North Kolkata, the century-old Paramount sherbet and syrup shop is a small, quaint juice joint tucked away in a nondescript corner. However, don’t be fooled by the humble interiors as it has some of the most creatively-made sherbets the city has on offer. The quality of the different kinds of sherbets and syrups has stood the test of time. You will be spoilt for choice here and would probably want to try every sherbet available. However, to make choosing easier for you, we recommend these must try sherbets, which include the Cocoa Malai Sherbet, Kesar Malai Sherbet, Rose Malai Sherbet, Cream Banana Sherbet, and Cream Orange Sherbet. The list doesn’t end there. The tangy and sweet tamarind juice is a great summer drink. Calcuttans also swear by the daab or coconut sherbet which contains tender coconut, syrup, and ice. The sherbets are quite filling as you will get a generous serving of it in tall glasses. What’s more, the sherbets are quite affordable.
Address: 1/1/1D, Bankim Chatterjee Street, College Square, College Street, Kolkata -
Timings: 11.30 am to 10pm
Price for two: ₹200
2. Krishna Juice Centre
The humble Krishna Juice Centre in Bhowanipore is one of Kolkata’s favoured juice shops. It has a range of mixed fruit juices to choose from. The mixed fruit juices seem to be simple combinations but in truth, they are actually quite innovative as it combines the flavours of the fruits rather well. The most popular is the ‘Ganga Jamuna’, which is a combination of orange and mosambi juice. There are other kinds of juice as well that are just as delicious, such as anar and grapes mix, red globe grapes, plum, alphonso mango, and cherry juices.
Address: 24, Ray Street, Paddapukur, Bhowanipur, Kolkata - 20
Timings: 10am to 10pm
Price for two: ₹100
3. Juice Factory
There are close to 50 different kinds of juices available at Juice Factory. The juices and smoothies are said to be healthy and wholesome. What’s more, it is packed with flavours. You will get regular fruit juices like orange juice, watermelon and chiku juice. However, it is the strawberry juice that is a clear favourite. The mango milkshake comes a close second followed by the badam milk smoothie. Also, the strawberry kiwi mixed juice is quite exotic.if you want fancy smoothies then there are plenty on offer such as muskmelon smoothie, kulfi smoothie, Oreo shake smoothie, banana split smoothie, pista smoothie, figaro dry fig smoothie, and more. There are also grape vanilla, banana vanilla, masala thums up, lassi, chocolate plane, chocolate special, etc. that add variety to the menu.
Address: Karya Road, Lower Range, Beck Bagan, Park Circus Area, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Kolkata - 17
Timings: 9am to 11.45pm
Price for two: ₹200
4. The Yellow Straw
Located on RN Mukherjee Road, The Yellow Straw serves mixed fruit and cold-pressed juices. The juices can be paired with snacks such as sandwiches, poha, and salads. The Valencia Orange Juice is a well-balanced sweet and sour drink, and you add chia seeds or lemon and ginger or honey or sugar or glucose in it. You can also choose to add rock salt and ice. Then there is the Citrus Straw Granate, which is a fusion of cold-pressed orange/mosambi and pomegranate. You can add chia seeds, honey/sugar/glucose to your liking. The hydrated straw cold-pressed juice made with watermelon, pudina leaves, and lemon, is quite unique.
Address: #4, RN Mukherjee Road, Opposite Martin Burn Building, BBD Bagh, Kolkata - 700001
Price for two: ₹500
Timings: 9am to 7pm
Image: Facebook
5. Bombay Shiv Sagar
The juices at Bombay Shiv Sagar, located on Camac Street, are just as popular as the North Indian and South Indian food. The juices are pocket-friendly and served in tall glasses. There is the regular mosambi, pineapple, apple and watermelon juice, etc. But then experiment a bit and try the fruit punch juice, the Mara Mari juice, which is a mix of pineapple and mosambi, and the cocktail juices, which is a burst of flavours. Smoothies include chocolate milkshake with nuts and strawberry milkshake, etc.
Address: #22, 1st Floor, B Block, Camac Street, near Saturday Club, Kolkata - 700017 Timings: 10.30am to 10.45pm
Price for two: ₹500