Summer is in! It’s that time of the year again when the temperature is soaring high. And hot summer days call for light, bright and refreshing drinks. No doubt we have plenty of cold drink options available in the market but the problem is that many of our favorite beverages are loaded with sugar or soda, which are of course not good for health. So, I have come up with some of the best traditional Summer drinks which are delicious and nutritious too.
Scroll down and quench your thirst with these refreshing summer drinks.
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Traditional Summer Drinks: JALJEERA
The much-loved Indian summer drink, jaljeera is a healthy alternative to high-calorie aerated drinks. Its name suggests that this concoction is a combination of ‘water’ (Jal) and ‘cumin’ (Jeera). But it is much more than that. Jaljeera is actually a form of lemonade, prepared with a variety of spicy ingredients like roasted cumin powder, black pepper, ginger powder, black salt, herbs like coriander and mint.
This thirst quencher is not only cool and refreshing but also good for digestion. It is better to be consumed before a meal as it helps in building an appetite, activates taste buds and digestive juices. People generally serve jaljeera as a welcome drink in Summers as it keeps the body hydrated and cool. You may garnish the drink with some boondis before serving.
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AAM PANNA
Can anyone think of Summer without mangoes? This king of fruits is absolutely divine and rules the hearts of everyone. One can make a variety of savory dishes and drinks with mangoes. But here I am discussing one of my favorite childhood summer drinks- Aam Panna!
This refreshing summer drink is made with raw green mangoes which are then blended with sugar, black salt, cumin, mint leaves, and black pepper. Aam Panna is a perfect choice to sip on hot, humid summer days. It is known for its cooling properties and gives your taste buds a tangy twist too. The beverage is very energizing, prevents loss of sodium chloride and iron during Summer due to excessive sweating. Aam Panna, being rich in minerals like sodium, magnesium, and potassium, helps maintain the right balance of electrolytes to fight against heat stroke.
LEMON WATER
To beat the Summer heat, keep yourself hydrated by drinking a glass of lemon water. Excessive sweating and perspiration in Summer dehydrates and reduces salt and glucose level of our body too. Just add salt and sugar in a glass of lemon water and it reverses the deficiency instantly. This most sought after Summer drink is actually the cheapest refreshment to keep you cool.
Lemon is a super-sour Summer fruit which has a lot of health-inducing properties. A glass of lemon water helps in curing bloating, constipation, heartburn, indigestion, heat stroke, and dehydration, etc. Read on to know more about lemon water benefits.
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LASSI
Lassi is an age-old Punjabi drink! It is prepared from curd, churned into a creamy consistency by adding some water and then topped with flavors. Be it rose syrup, mango, raspberry, coconut, Kesar or khus, lassi tastes scrumptious with almost all flavors. You can garnish it with dry fruits and rose petals to enhance its taste.
This smooth and creamy yogurt-based refreshment cools the body temperature during hot summer days and cures prickly heat. Lassi is full of probiotics which can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria and reduce the growth of bad bacteria in your gut. Sweetened or unsweetened, Lassi is very good for the stomach and helps in preventing stomach disorders like bloating and constipation.
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WATERMELON JUICE
Watermelon is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in electrolytes and fiber content. It is one of the best sources to retain body fluids as it is made up of 95% of water which makes it one of the best fruits to beat the summer heat. The best part is that the water in the fruit is pure alkaline, which is soothing for the stomach.
Watermelon juice is healthy, refreshing, and increases antioxidants in our body. Drinking this delicious juice in Summer helps us to stay hydrated and keep many diseases at bay. And yes, this ultimate thirst quencher is free of fats and low in calories too. So, if you are on a diet, go for it!
SUGARCANE JUICE
During Summer, humidity makes one very prone to dehydration. Drinking a glass of sugarcane juice, enriched with natural sugar, is an ultimate choice to rehydrate the body and stave off fatigue. Sugarcane contains a large amount of glucose along with other electrolytes which makes it an instant pick-me-up. The high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese in it makes it a perfect drink to replenish lost electrolytes and water.
Sugarcane juice is truly a quick taste bud pleasing drink. Just add a pinch of salt and a dash of lime, and you’re good to go! So, this Summer, indulge in a glass of sugarcane juice. It helps you cool down during the harsh Summers and also benefit your body in more than one way.
COCONUT WATER
Sailing through the hot-humid season? Keep Summer blues at bay by drinking a glass of chilled coconut water. The mild sweetness and fresh taste of coconut make it nature’s own ready-to-drink refreshing juice.
Coconut water contains high water content and also rich in nutrients like electrolytes and minerals which keeps your body energized. Coconut water, not only quenches thirst but also helps in preventing and treating dehydration. It is considered as one of the healthiest drink and also promotes many health benefits.
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SATTU SHARBAT
If you want to battle dehydration and heat stroke, there is nothing better than sattu. Sattu Sharbat is the perfect drink, very filling and healthy. If you are fatigued by heat and feeling drained in the sun, just gulp down a glass of chilled sattu. It will keep your body temperature cool.
Sattu powder is basically made with roasted black chanas, bay leaves and roasted jeera – all blended together. It is then served by mixing with sugar and water, coriander leaves, green chilies, and black salt. Sattu is about 20% protein by weight, and full of nutrients and fiber. Overall, it makes a super summer cooler.
Are you ready to cool down with these refreshing summer drinks?