11 Indian Beverages To Make Your Summer Better

Surabhi Nijhawan
Surabhi Nijhawan
Updated on Apr 08, 2015, 09:00 IST-8 K Shares
nimbu paani

Brace yourselves, because summer is coming. And by the looks of it it's coming with a vengeance. But fear not, because we have just the thing for you. Take a look at 11 drinks that will make this summer more bearable.  

1. Aam panna

Aam panna

Flickr.com/jungle jomboree

Aam panna is a refreshing drink made of raw green mangoes. It is sweet and sour and there's a bonus, because it's really good for digestion. It tastes best with lots of ice. 

2. Khus

Khus

This is a drink made from the Khus plant which is grown in various parts of the country, both in the north and the south. The Khus drink has anti-inflammatory and anti-septic effects that provide relief to the body. Bonus? It tastes brilliant too. 

3. Lassi

lassi

Flickr.com/Paul sampson

Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes even fruits. You can alter the recipe according to your preference. Some people prefer it sweet while others might go with a salty alternative. Lassi is popular in both India and Pakistan, and is best enjoyed chilled. 

4. Nimbu paani 

nimbu paani

healthy-drinks.net

You have to agree that this is the ultimate summer drink. You can have as much of it as you want. What's even better? A little bit of rooh-afza to add tto the mix!  

5. Kokum Sherbet 

kokum sherbet

vegrecipesindia.com

Kokum is a fruit widely found in the Western Ghats. This drink is made from its seeds, fruit and pulp. It is a summer coolant and most popular in Goa. It tastes wonderful with cumin, cardamom and lots of ice. 

6. Buttermilk 

buttermilk

bawarchi.com

This has different names in different parts of the country - Chach in North India, Morin in Tamil, Majjiga in Telugu and Taak in Marathi. It is basically a salted yogurt drink and you can have several variations to it. It is traditional, healthy and tasty. 

7. Jal Jeera

Jal jeera

manjulaskitchen.com

This drink is basically nimbu paani with jal jeera powder. The powder consists of cumin seeds, black salt, ginger, black pepper, mint and chilli. Some people add mango or citrus zest as well. It is mostly popular in North India and is not meant to be sweet. Don't forget to add the pakodi on top! 

8. Bael ka sherbet 

Bael ka sherbet

tongueticklers.com

This is made up of ripe bel (stone apple). It is slightly complicated to make this drink because you need to soak the fruit overnight. But it is certainly worth the effort. You can add cumin seeds and black salt to enhance its taste. 

9. Jigarthanda

jigarthanda

yummymummyrecipes.com

If you translate this word to English, it means cool heart. This drink originates from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Its ingredients include the resin of the badaam tree, milk, sarsaparilla syrup and ice-cream. If you happen to visit Madurai in summer, you will spot vendors selling this drink at every corner of the city. 

10. Sugarcane juice

sugar cane juice

eathealthystayhealthy.wordpress.com

How can your summers be complete without ganne ka juice? Don't bother making it yourself. Just go to the nearest juice centre and gulp it down. 

11. Badaam milk 

badam milk

Flickr.com/Siri Pulipaka

This can be served hot and cold, and is one of India’s most traditional drinks. While most are unsure about its origin, most grandmothers are obsessed with it. Along with crushed almonds, the recipe includes pista, cardamom powder, saffron, cream and of course, milk. You can add turmeric if you want the yellow look. The most important thing about it is that it is Y.U.M! 

Card image by Usman Irani. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This 20-something is a crazy Bollywood fan and can recite DDLJ dialogues by hearty. She’s either listening to a story or telling one. On a regular day, you’ll see her adding an endless number of books and films to her bucket list. Her conversations mainly revolve around coffee, chocolates and cupcakes. She dreams of faraway lands and believes that her heart is made to travel. Also, she insists on writing a book one day.

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