Chill Out with Sattu Sharbat, Jal Jeera, and More Classic Indian Coolers.
India’s scorching summer season often makes us crave refreshing cold drinks that hydrate and replenish our bodies to prevent fatigue. Undoubtedly, modern beverages like sodas and fruit juices have become famous, but there is a rich variety of traditional Indian drinks to cool you down. These traditional drinks are loaded with flavour, nutrition, and cooling properties, simply perfect for battling the heatwave. Let's rediscover those classic drinks that once graced Indian homes, from Sattu Sharbat to Jal Jeera.
One of the most popular drinks of northern parts of India, Sattu Sharbat is a traditional summer cooler prepared from roasted gram flour (also known as sattu). It's not just refreshing but also highly nutritious. It can provide the feeling of fullness along with rehydrating after a long day under the sun.
Sattu sharbat is often enhanced with ingredients like lemon, mint, sugar, and black salt. High fiber content, protein, and electrolytes makes you stay energized and hydrated all day long.
2-3 tablespoons of sattu (roasted gram flour)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon black salt or regular salt
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
A pinch of roasted cumin powder
Water (as per your preferred consistency)
Mix these ingredients in a glass of cold water and stir well. You can add some ice cubes to make it more cool.
The tangy, spicy, and salty drink, Jal Jeera is beloved throughout India. The base of Jal Jeera, cumin (jeera) is a natural coolant, and it’s mixed with various spices, herbs, and sometimes yogurt or tamarind for a burst of taste in summer months.
Jal Jeera is not only refreshing but also improves digestion, making it a perfect drink before or after lunch. Conventionally, this drink is enjoyed in the majority of Indian households during the summer season and is often served as an appetizer during social gatherings.
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon black salt
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
Fresh mint leaves
Water (cold)
Ice cubes (optional)
Mix these ingredients in a glass of water, stir well, and garnish with mint leaves before serving. You can adjust the spice levels based on your preferences.
What would be the most nostalgic drink for Indians in summer? Aam Panna will surely get a majority vote. This traditional and refreshing raw mango drink is one of the best ways to fight the intense heat and prevent dehydration. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, Aam Panna helps in improving digestion while boosting immunity.
The tartness of raw mangoes, when mixed with the sweetness of jaggery and a touch of cumin, it becomes irresistibly tasty.
1 raw mango (boiled and peeled)
2-3 tablespoons jaggery or sugar
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon black salt
A pinch of black pepper
Fresh mint leaves
Cold water
Blend these ingredients into a smooth paste, then dilute it with cold water. Serve chilled with ice cubes. Add mint leaves as toppings for extra zing.
Buttermilk, or Chaas, is a simple yet incredibly healthy drink for the summer season. It is a staple in Indian households, especially in rural areas. Made from the liquid left over after churning yogurt, buttermilk is packed with probiotics, which aid digestion, and helps keep your body cool during summer heat.
You can spice this drink up with cumin, coriander, mint, and black salt.
1 cup plain yogurt
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon black salt
Fresh coriander or mint leaves
A pinch of salt
Blend the yogurt and water until they become smooth. Now add the spices, and stir well. Serve the drink chilled and enjoy this easy-to-prepare, refreshing drink.
Originating from North India, Thandai is a royal summer drink that combines a variety of cooling ingredients like almonds, fennel seeds, cardamom, and rose water. Generally, Thandai is served during festivals like Holi. This aromatic drink cools the body while providing a unique flavour profile.
This cooling drink is also a source of essential protein and vitamins to fight heatwave.
1/4 cup almonds (soaked overnight)
2 tablespoons melon seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon rose water
Sugar to taste
First, grind the soaked almonds, melon seeds, fennel seeds, and poppy seeds to prepare a smooth paste. Now, mix it with milk, rose water, and sugar before serving chilled.
So, the next time you’re feeling the heat, avoid those costly, processed drinks and opt for these timeless coolers.
