Sip the Summer Away: Exploring India's 10 Best Traditional Cooling Drinks

Embracing the Heat: My Love for Traditional Indian Summer Drinks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey everyone!

As an Indian, summer is synonymous with a vibrant array of refreshing drinks that not only quench my thirst but also bring back so many fond memories. If there's one thing I look forward to every summer, it's the variety of beverages that make the hot days enjoyable. Today, I want to share a few of my absolute favorites: Aam Panna, Sharbat, Shikanji, fruit juices, Chattu Ka Sharbat, Lassi, Thandai, Nimbu Pani, Chaas, and Rose Sharbat.

Aam Panna: The King of Summer Drinks

Let's start with Aam Panna, shall we? This tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy drink made from raw mangoes is my go-to for a hot day. I remember my grandma making it in large batches, and the whole house would smell like mangoes and spices. The recipe is pretty simple – raw mangoes, sugar, black salt, roasted cumin powder, and mint. It’s not just delicious; it's also a fantastic way to beat the heat and stay hydrated. Every sip feels like a cool breeze on a scorching day.

Recipe:

• 2 raw mangoes
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp black salt
• 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
• Fresh mint leaves
• Boil the mangoes until soft, peel them, and blend the pulp. Mix with sugar, black salt, cumin powder, and mint leaves. Serve chilled.

Sharbat: A Burst of Flavors

Next up is Sharbat. This isn’t just one drink but a whole category of refreshing beverages made from various flowers, fruits, and herbs. My favorite has to be Rooh Afza Sharbat. It’s a vibrant pink drink made from a mix of herbs, fruits, and flowers, and it tastes like summer in a glass. Just a couple of tablespoons in a glass of chilled water or milk, and you’re good to go. It’s sweet, aromatic, and incredibly refreshing. Plus, it reminds me of Ramadan evenings with my family, breaking fast with a glass of Rooh Afza Sharbat in hand.

Recipe:

• 2 tbsp Rooh Afza syrup
• 1 glass chilled water or milk
• Mix the Rooh Afza syrup with water or milk. Add ice cubes if desired and stir well. Serve chilled.

Shikanji: The Classic Lemonade with a Twist

Now, let’s talk about Shikanji – the Indian version of lemonade. But it’s so much more than just lemon water. It’s got a kick of spices like black salt, cumin, and sometimes even a pinch of chaat masala. My mom used to make the best Shikanji. She’d mix fresh lemon juice with chilled water, add a bit of sugar, sprinkle in the spices, and finish it off with a few mint leaves. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy, and it’s the ultimate thirst-quencher after a day out in the sun.

Recipe:

• 1 lemon
• 2 cups chilled water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp black salt
• 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
• Mint leaves
• Squeeze the lemon juice into the water. Add sugar, black salt, and cumin powder. Stir well and garnish with mint leaves. Serve chilled.

Chattu Ka Sharbat: The Nutrient Powerhouse

I can't forget to mention Chattu Ka Sharbat, a lesser known but equally delightful summer drink. Made from sattu (roasted gram flour), this drink is both nourishing and refreshing. Growing up, my dad would make Chattu Ka Sharbat whenever we needed a quick pick-me-up. He'd mix sattu with chilled water, add a touch of jaggery or sugar for sweetness, and a pinch of black salt and lemon juice to enhance the flavor. Sometimes, he'd throw in a few cumin seeds for an extra zing. This drink is not just a thirst-quencher but also packed with protein and fiber, making it a healthy and filling option for those hot summer days.

Recipe:

• 2 tbsp sattu (roasted gram flour)
• 1 glass chilled water
• 1 tbsp jaggery or sugar
• 1/2 tsp black salt
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Mix sattu with water, jaggery or sugar, black salt, and lemon juice. Stir well and serve chilled.

Lassi: The Creamy Delight

And how can I forget Lassi, the creamy, yogurt-based drink that’s a staple in every Indian household? Whether it's sweet or salty, Lassi is always a treat. My personal favorite is sweet Lassi, made with thick yogurt, sugar, and a hint of cardamom, blended until it's smooth and frothy. Sometimes, I like to add a splash of rose water or a handful of crushed pistachios for an extra touch of luxury. There’s nothing quite like a chilled glass of Lassi to cool you down after a long day in the sun. It’s not just refreshing but also a great source of probiotics, which is fantastic for your digestion.

Recipe (Sweet Lassi):

• 1 cup thick yogurt
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• Blend yogurt, water, sugar, and cardamom powder until smooth and frothy. Serve chilled, garnished with rose water or crushed pistachios if desired.

Thandai: The Festive Cooler

Last but not least, let's talk about Thandai. This drink, traditionally associated with the festival of Holi, is a rich and flavorful beverage made with a blend of milk, almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, pepper, cardamom, saffron, and sugar. It’s often served chilled, sometimes with a hint of bhang (cannabis) during festivities. Thandai is not just a drink; it's an experience. The first sip is an explosion of flavors – sweet, spicy, and aromatic, all at once. Making Thandai reminds me of family gatherings and celebrations, where we'd all come together to enjoy this special treat.

Recipe:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp almond paste
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp rose petals
• 5-6 black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron
• Sugar to taste
• Soak fennel seeds, rose petals, and peppercorns in water for a few hours. Grind to a fine paste. Mix with milk, almond paste, cardamom powder, saffron, and sugar. Serve chilled.

Nimbu Pani: The Citrus Zing

Nimbu Pani, or simple lemon water, is another classic that can't be overlooked. It’s incredibly easy to make and so refreshing. Just squeeze some fresh lemons into cold water, add a pinch of salt, a bit of sugar, and mix it well. Sometimes, I like to add a dash of mint leaves and a sprinkle of cumin powder to elevate the flavor. Nimbu Pani is perfect for those scorching afternoons when you need a quick and revitalizing drink. It’s light, zesty, and instantly energizing.

Recipe:

• 1 lemon
• 2 cups chilled water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Mint leaves
• Squeeze the lemon juice into the water. Add sugar, salt, and stir well. Garnish with mint leaves and serve chilled.

Chaas: The Tangy Buttermilk

Another summer staple is Chaas, also known as buttermilk. This tangy drink is made from yogurt, water, and spices like roasted cumin powder, black salt, and fresh coriander. My favorite version includes a hint of ginger and green chilies for a little kick. Chaas is excellent for digestion and incredibly cooling, making it a perfect drink to accompany spicy meals or just to sip on throughout the day. It brings back memories of my mom handing me a tall glass of Chaas after coming back from school, sweaty and tired.

Recipe:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp black salt
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Blend yogurt with water until smooth. Add cumin powder, black salt, and chopped coriander leaves. Stir well and serve chilled.

Rose Sharbat: The Fragrant Elixir

Rose Sharbat is one of those drinks that feels like a touch of luxury. Made with rose petals or rose syrup, it's both fragrant and refreshing. My aunt used to make this during family gatherings, mixing rose syrup with chilled water and sometimes adding a squeeze of lemon for a slight tang. It’s not just the taste but the beautiful pink hue that makes it so appealing. The delicate floral flavor and cooling effect make Rose Sharbat a perfect drink for hot summer days, transporting you to a garden of roses with every sip.

Recipe:

• 2 tbsp rose syrup
• 1 glass chilled water
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
• Mix rose syrup with water. Add lemon juice if desired. Stir well and serve chilled.

Fruit Juices: Nature’s Own Coolers

Lastly, you can never go wrong with fresh fruit juices. Mango, watermelon, and lychee juices are my top picks. There’s something so satisfying about sipping on a cold glass of freshly squeezed juice. It’s pure, it’s natural, and it’s bursting with flavors. Plus, they’re super easy to make. Just blend your favorite fruits, strain if needed, add some ice, and you’re set. I love experimenting with different combinations too – ever tried a watermelon and mint juice? It’s divine! Another standout is sugarcane juice, which is naturally sweet and incredibly refreshing. Perfect for those sweltering days, it's packed with energy-boosting nutrients. Then there's Bel Sharbat, made from the pulp of the bael fruit. This drink has a unique, earthy flavor and is known for its cooling and digestive properties. It's a staple in many households during the peak of summer.

Savoring the Moments

One of the best things about these traditional drinks is that they’re not just about quenching thirst; they’re about savoring moments. Whether it's sitting on the porch with a glass of Shikanji, enjoying a lazy afternoon with Aam Panna, or breaking fast with Sharbat, these drinks make summer special.

So, what are your favorite summer drinks? Have you tried any of these? I’d love to hear your stories and maybe even swap some recipes. Until then, stay cool and keep sipping!

Cheers,

ASAKA.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡