This summer it’s time to sit back and relax with a rejuvenating and refreshing drink in your hand that is delicious, healthy, and very easy to make.
Unlike the summer days in the western part of the world where the earth looks like it has awakened from its dormant days of winter. The sky, looking like it has been painted with shades of pink and orange matching the shades of the trees blossoming with flowers, and with the air feeling like a warm hug from your favorite person the summer in the eastern part of the world is extreme. Subcontinents like India have to face extreme temperature rises in these months with suffocating humidity in the air that is bound to make you drenched in sweat, leaving you tired and sick. The history of summer drinks goes way back and examples can be seen even in the sculptures of Khajuraho located in Madhya Pradesh. It is said that the Mughal emperor first introduced the concept of sharbat which traces back to Persia. Since then the consumption of summer beverages has become an integral part of the country’s culture and heritage. So to hit the heat where it hurts most, the people of these regions have come up with amazing and delicious drinks to keep them cool throughout the period of summer season. Here are the top 10 drinks to enjoy this summer:
Lemon Mint Lemonade:
Originating from the Levant region of the Middle East, this drink has become the ultimate classic drink for the summer all across the world. Lemony tartness and the freshness of mint are bound to keep you cool this summer. This classic has got different kinds of new spins with time. Adding crushed mint leaves and sparkling water is an easy yet nice twist to the old classic.
Sattu Sharbat:
This protein-packed delicious drink has become a part of households in the much hotter region of India. It hails from Bihar and has roasted gram flour, lemon, and spices like cumin and salt. This drink not only keeps you cool but also gives you an energy boost. It is also believed that sattu has been a staple food during the time of war due to its durability. This staple food has a historical background as it was supplied at the time of the Kargil War to the soldiers because of its high nutritional value.
Watermelon Juice:
If lemonade is considered to be The Drink of the summer season then surely watermelon can be considered as the fruit of this season. Simple, freshly squeezed watermelon juice is the easiest way to go if you want to beat the heat.
Bela Pana:
This drink is popular in the south and Southeast Asian countries including India. In India, it is mostly popular in the state of Odisha and is also known as the drink of Lord Jagannath. Legends have it that Lord Jagannath used to make this beverage for his devotees who used to travel from far away to worship their deity, Lord Jagannath as a cooling and refreshing beverage in the hot summer days.Well, to be the favorite drink of a deity, it has to be an A-class drink. It is made from Bela or wood apple, water, jaggery, and spices like black pepper.
Tender Coconut Water:
Coconut is a natural rehydrating agent filled with electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. During the summertime, a huge amount of potassium and magnesium is lost through sweating which can be regained through coconut water.
Jal Jeera:
This is a traditional drink of North India. It consists of cumin, tamarind, coriander, mint, salt, sugar and water. This mouth-watering flavor combination will not only help in lowering the body temperature but will leave you asking for more. The meaning of the name jal jeera is cumin water as jal means water and jeera means cumin in Hindi. It is believed that the Mughal emperors were very fond of this drink and would often consume it not just to beat the heat but to prevent digestion issues. Over the course of time, it has become one of the most popular drinks in India, mainly prevailing in the streets of North India.
AamPanna:
Mangoes are the heroes of this drink. It consists of raw mangoes, fresh mint leaves, sugar, salt, roasted cumin powder, and black pepper which results in a taste that will invigorate your taste buds alongside will quench your thirst. This drink is mainly popular in Indian states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal as mangoes grow abundantly there in the summer season. Apart from its tantalizing taste, it is considered to have various medicinal properties. Due to its high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, it helps in the improvement of the immune system, helps in resolving digestion problems, and prevents the tendency of heat stroke.
Ragi Ambali:
Hailing from Karnataka, this one is a traditional drink. Consisting of finger millet flour, water, and buttermilk, this drink has cooling properties perfect for a hot sunny day. It also has medicinal benefits and often time is given to recovering patients to boost their energy.
Ice apple Sharbat:
Ice apple or Taal (in Hindi) sharbat is very much popular in India. Ice apple has always been considered to have medicinal characteristics and has been a part of Ayurvedic and Siddha medicines for centuries. Its body cooling properties are a perfect rival to the scorching days of summer. This is a popular drink in the western parts of India. Even though this has an old way of preparing nowadays many people have started to add flavouring of their liking to get the best of it.
Nannari Sharbat:
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, this drink is a refreshing agent in the days of summer. Made with the roots of the Nannari plant, water, and sugar this drink is known for its cooling properties and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicines. The Nannari plant or the Indian sarsaparilla is known for its therapeutic qualities. This sharbat is also used to treat a variety of ailments from skin diseasesand urinary tract infections to digestive problems. The roots are boiled in water to extract the nutrients from it then mixed with water and sugar.
Our body is made up of 60% of water so it is seen clearly how important water is for us. And during the summer season due to excess heat, we lose this water through excessive sweating which results in the loss of electrolytes and minerals. Too much of this loss eventually leads to dehydration which is very harmful for our body because our organs need sufficient about of water to perform properly. The above-mentioned drinks or any drinks simple like these can be prepared at home without any hassle. Choosing a flavor and mixing it with water and sugar gives you a simple yet satisfying cold sip in the hot days of summer.
