Beat the heat with these 5 summer drinks!

Summer is not just a season in India. It’s a mood. Its arrival is a cause for celebration for a variety of reasons ranging from the many harvest festivals across the country to mangoes to the most important of them all – vacations!  While a lot can be said about the glory of summer, it also comes with a certain set of cautions. One of the major problems in summer is dehydration due to sweating. Sweating makes one lose not only water but also some important nutrients. So today, we will talk about 5 extremely helpful drinks that not only keep you hydrated but are also packed with nutrients that help your body remain cool in the hot and sweaty summers.

1. Buttermilk: Known by many names all over the country like Chaas, Mattha, Chaach, Takramrut, Neer Mor etc, buttermilk is a treasure trove of benefits. This very easy-to-make concoction helps the body to cool down while also aiding the digestive system. Filled with nutrients like calcium, potassium and vitamin D, this drink is also known to help people with problems like acidity and some skin-related issues.

Ingredients: Curd, water, rock salt and black pepper powder.

Recipe: Put the ingredients in a bowl and mix it up with a blender. The basic buttermilk is ready. You can add other ingredients of your choice like curry leaves or mint leaves, or add a tadka to it. You can find many variations of it on the internet.

2. Nimbu Pani: Also known as lemonade or Shikanji, this drink is probably the easiest to make of all. Its main ingredient Lemon is an acidic fruit. It does wonders for the body like aids digestion, rejuvenates skin, burns fats etc.

Ingredients: Lemon juice, water, salt, sugar and black pepper powder

Recipe: Take a glass of water and squeeze one entire lemon into it. Now add salt or sugar as per your preference, you can both of them together as well. Add a pinch of black pepper powder. Some people also add mint leaves into it. Many variations exist, you can check out other recipes on the internet.

3. Coconut Water: Nature’s very own summer drink – tender coconut water is easy to get and consume. It is known for its immunity-boosting properties. This drink is not only extremely rich in various nutrients but also has many cosmetic benefits like nourishing the skin and hair. It cools down your body, while also leaving you with a refreshing taste. Always remember to eat the ‘malai’ at the end of the coconut, as it is extremely rich in nutrients.

Ingredients: Coconut water, lemon, mint leaves, sugar

Recipe: Usually coconut water is had all by itself in India. But if you want to experiment, you can try adding some fresh lemon juice, mint leaves, and a bit of sugar to it and enjoy.

4. Sugarcane Juice: Another gift of nature to us humans, is this amazing energizing drink.  Found in abundance in India, Sugarcane juice is filled with antioxidants. Having it during summer not only helps you stay hydrated but is also beneficial for the liver and kidney in the body. It is also known to be an effective mouth freshener and prevent tooth decay. Isn’t it just a glass full of benefits!

Ingredients: Sugar Cane, mint leaves, rock salt, lemon

Recipe: Usually this is not made in home, but you can easily find many street vendors selling it. After squeezing the juice out of sugar cane, some additions to it can be made. For example lemon juice, mint leaves, rock salt, and a bit of black pepper powder.

5. Aam Panna:  India consumes mangoes in almost every stage of its development. One of it is Aam Panna, made out of raw mangoes. This pulpy drink is most effective in cooling down the body through its micro-nutrients, which replenish the nutrients deprived body in summers. It has benefits the body in many other ways like improving digestion, eyesight and balancing blood sugar level. This drink is also extremely rich in antioxidants and it tastes delicious. It’s a win-win drink on all fronts.

Ingredients: Raw Mango, sugar, salt, cumin powder, rock salt, water, mint leaves

Recipe: Boil the raw mangoes. Once they cool down, peel off the mango skin. Take out all the pulp from mango and strain it. Now put the strained mango on a pan, add ½ cup of water to it. Saute this for 1-2 minutes. Now add ¼ th cup of sugar, and stir, till it melts into the mix. Sprinkle a bit of salt, rock salt and cumin powder on to the mix. Let the mix come to a boil and then turn off the heat. Now add 3-4 spoons of this thick mango paste to a glass full of water and sprinkle some mint leaves over it. Add ice and your Aam Panna is ready!

With so many amazing options, there’s no way for the heat to get to you this summer. You can relish these drinks without putting much effort into making them. While some don’t require any cooking, others can be enjoyed with a little work on your end. You can take the help of your family in preparing it and serve them by adding certain condiments of your choice to them. Do let us know in the comment section, which of these is your favourite!

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