Introduction: When the summer heat takes a toll on you, a glass of water may bring temporary relief, but adding a healthy twist to your drinks can be even better. Instead of reaching for aerated drinks or packaged juices, why not explore some homemade summer drink ideas that are both refreshing and good for you? Ayurveda expert Dr. Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya shares 10 natural cooling drinks to help you beat the heat and stay cool as a cucumber this summer.
- Fennel Sharbat: A Refreshing Refresher Cool off with this fennel-based drink that acts as a natural refresher.
Recipe:
- In a bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of fennel powder.
- Add rock sugar (misri/khand) according to taste.
- Mix well with 2 glasses of water.
Enjoy the delicious and cooling fennel drink.
- Sattu Drink: Extremely Cooling and Protein-Rich Sattu drink not only offers a refreshing effect but is also a great source of easily digestible protein during summer.
Recipe:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of sattu powder in a glass of water.
- Add a pinch of roasted cumin and pink salt.
- Sweeten with some jaggery.
- Pudina Sharbat: The Minty Cooler Harness the cooling and calming effects of peppermint with this minty summer drink.
Recipe:
- Take 2-3 glasses of water.
- Add a handful of mint leaves and small pieces of rock sugar (to taste) and blend thoroughly.
- Squeeze in half a lemon and add rock salt (to taste).
- Strain and enjoy this refreshing mint drink.
- Gulkand Shots: Antioxidant Boost and Digestive Aid Gulkand, known for its antioxidants and digestive benefits, can be transformed into small shots for a healthy indulgence.
Recipe:
- Take 1 glass of milk.
- Add 1 tbsp of gulkand and blend with a hand blender.
- Enjoy small shots of the gulkand milk mixture with your family.
- Paan Shots: Healing and Refreshing Betel leaves, known for their healing properties, can be used to create invigorating paan shots that offer various health benefits.
- Bilva/Bael Sharbat: Goodness for Multiple Health Issues Bael juice, packed with goodness, helps with constipation, diabetes management, skin rashes, and cholesterol control.
Recipe:
- Take a bilva fruit.
- Cut it in half and extract the inner soft pulp.
- Soak the pulp in 1 glass of water for 20 minutes.
- Mash the pulp thoroughly.
- Strain and add 1 tsp of jaggery, roasted cumin, cardamom, and a pinch of black salt.
- Your bilva sharbat is ready to be enjoyed.
- Khus Sharbat: Nutrient-Packed and Gut-Friendly Khus khus (vetiver) is rich in fiber and nutrients, making it beneficial for gut health, bone strength, female fertility, insomnia, and blood pressure regulation.
Recipe:
- Soak khus in water for 8-10 hours.
- Strain and add rock sugar (to taste).
- Your khus sharbat is ready!
- Kokum Sharbat: Culinary Delight with Medicinal Benefits Kokum, a dark-purple fruit, not only adds flavor to dishes but also helps reduce acidity and relieve sunstroke when consumed in sharbat form.
Recipe:
- Take two fresh kokum fruits.
- Cut them in half, remove the seeds, and grind them into a fine paste.
- Prepare rock sugar syrup and combine it with the kokum paste, adding cumin and cardamom powder to taste.
- Add 2-3 tbsp of this paste to a glass and top with cool water, preferably from an earthen pot. Enjoy your kokum sharbat.
- Sugarcane Juice: Energy Boost and Thirst Quencher Fresh sugarcane juice is a lip-smacking summer drink that provides energy and relieves thirst.
- Coconut Water: Guilt-Free Hydration Coconut water is a guilt-free and hydrating summer drink. For optimal consumption, have it in the morning or 2 hours after meals, around 4 p.m.
Conclusion
Stay cool and healthy this summer by trying out these natural and homemade drink ideas instead of opting for sugar-laden cold drinks and ice creams. Beat the heat with these refreshing alternatives and enjoy the season to the fullest. Remember to prioritize your health and choose clean and hygienic sources for your ingredients.
