4 Homemade Drinks To Keep You Cool In Summer

With summer knocking at our doors and the temperatures soaring by the day, I’ve decided to share 4 homemade drinks to keep you cool in summer!

Cool drinks prepared at home are way better than the fizzy drinks we usually opt for. Fizzy drinks, as we know, contain carbon dioxide, phosphoric acid, sugars, sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine and preservatives—all of which harm our body in the long run.

On the other hand, cool drinks prepared at home using fruits and herbs not only keep us cool from within, but also benefit our health in different ways.

4 Homemade Drinks To Keep You Cool In Summer

#1 Aam Panna (Raw Mango Drink)

Summer is the season of Mango, the king of fruits. Not only is it favored for its ripe, yellow pulp, but also in its raw form. Raw mangoes are used to prepare the ‘Aam Panna’. The yellowish green cool drink is healthy and favored for its heat-fighting properties.

Ingredients:

• Raw mangoes – 1 kg
• Sugar – 250 gms
• Grated jaggery – 200 gms
• Salt – to taste
• Cardamom powder – 1 teaspoon
• Water

Method

Choose raw mangoes that are firm and not mushy. Wash them well and steam them in the pressure cooker.

Once cool, remove the skin and the seeds. Mash well by hand, or in the blender, along with the sugar.

Add the grated jaggery and mix well. (You might need to add some more jaggery because raw mangoes are very sour). Add salt as per taste. Add the cardamom powder.

Add water if you wish to make it ready-to-drink, or you could store the pulp (as per the recipe above) in the fridge and use as much is needed to prepare the drink. You may also add mint juice to give it a minty flavor and a greener hue.

---

#2 Lemon and Mint Juice

Lemon is loaded with Vitamin C—the number one nutrient that helps your body fight infections like cold and flu and helps repair the wear and tear in our body.

It helps replenish the lost vitamins and minerals and also keeps us well hydrated in the summer heat.

Mint is the herb well known for its medicinal properties and has been used as a mouth freshener since years. Just chewing on the leaves freshens the breath and also soothes the stomach in case of indigestion.

Ingredients

• Lemons – 12
• Fresh mint – 1 bunch
• Sugar and black salt to taste

Method

Wash the lemons and the mint leaves. Squeeze out the juice of the lemons.

Add water as per requirement. Add sugar and black salt.

Grind the mint leaves in a grinder and strain the juice. Add it to the lemon juice, or store it separately after adding a pinch of salt.

Refrigerate and serve chilled.

---

#3 Kokum Sherbet

Kokum sherbet, or kokum juice, has been a favorite in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra for years. ‘Sol Kadhi’ as it is called, is a favorite after-meal digestive drink.

The kokum fruit is loaded with nutrients like the B vitamins, manganese, potassium and fibre. It helps in cases of constipation and indigestion. Its cooling properties make it the best summer drink.

Ingredients and Method

For a glass of this refreshing drink-

• Concentrated kokum juice – 1 tablespoon ( Concentrated kokum sherbet can be found in every retail store).
• Chilled water – 1 glass
• Black salt – ½ teaspoon, or as per taste
• Roasted cumin powder – a pinch

Mix it and stir well. Add ice cubes and serve.

---

#4 Buttermilk or Chaas

This is one of the most common and also most favored after-meals digestive drinks as well as a summer cooler.

Curd has cooling as well as digestive properties. It contains the good, gut-friendly-bacteria that helps keep your gut in good health.

Ingredients and Method

For a glassful of chhaas, take half a cup of thick curd.

Add to it black salt as per taste, roasted cumin powder, finely chopped green chillies, grated ginger and water.

Stir well.

Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

These drinks not only help you face the torturous heat, but also take care of your digestion. Consuming them regularly during these three summer months will ensure you stay healthy and happy!