11 refreshing summer drinks that hydrate, cool, and boost digestion. Perfect for hot days and special occasions!
These traditional summer drinks are not only refreshing but also packed with a variety of health benefits that help beat the heat, keep you hydrated, and promote digestive and cooling properties. From aiding in hydration to supporting overall well-being, these drinks are perfect for hot days and special occasions alike. Each drink is crafted with unique ingredients that not only quench your thirst but also contribute to better health, making them an excellent addition to your summer diet.
1.Lassi:
Lassi is a yogurt/curd-based drink which is great for digestion. It contains probiotics that help balance gut bacteria (aiding in the digestion of cellulose). It’s also a good source of calcium and protein, which help in maintaining bone health. The sweet or salty versions also help cool the body, making it a perfect summer drink.
Ingredients: yogurt/curd, water, sugar/salt, spices (such as cardamom/elaichi, cumin/zeera), sometimes fruit like mango, strawberry.
Uses: A cooling drink popular in hot weather, particularly after meals to aid digestion. Lassi can be sweet or salty and is often served as a refreshing drink or dessert.
2.Aam Panna:
Aam Panna is rich in vitamin C, which boosts immunity and helps to protect against summer-related infections. The raw mango helps in detoxifying the liver and aids digestion. It’s also a natural coolant, reducing body temperature and preventing dehydration.
Ingredients: Raw mangoes, sugar, black salt, cumin powder (Zeera Powder), mint leaves, water.
Uses: A traditional drink to beat the summer heat. It is known for its sour, refreshing taste and is excellent for refilling lost salts and fluids due to heat.
3.Buttermilk:
Buttermilk is full of probiotics and is excellent for digestion. It also helps soothe acidity and heartburn, a common drink in any season. The addition of spices like cumin, Coriander (kothmir) and mint aids in cooling the body, making it refreshing and light on the stomach.
Ingredients: Curd, water, black salt, cumin powder, mint, sometimes ginger.
Uses: This drink is often consumed as a digestive aid after meals. It’s a light, and mildly spiced drink that helps cool the body and soothe the stomach.
4.Badam Sharbat:
Badam Sharbat helps to improve brain function, boosts skin health, and provides a good dose of energy. Almonds are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also helps in hydrating the body and provides a cooling effect during summer.
Ingredients: Almonds (Badam), sugar, rose water, cardamom, water or milk.
Uses: A nourishing, energy-boosting drink that is good for boosting memory and providing a quick energy boost. It’s typically served as a healthy drink during festivals or special occasions.
5.Sandalwood Sharbat:
Sandalwood has cooling properties and is often used in Ayurveda for its calming effect on the body. Sandalwood sharbat helps to reduce body heat, prevents skin irritation, and has a soothing effect on the mind. It’s also used for improving skin complexion and calm inflammation.
Ingredients: Sandalwood essence or powder, rose water, sugar, water.
Uses: Known for its cooling properties, this drink is often consumed to refresh the body and mind, especially during the hot summer months. It’s believed to have a calming effect on the skin and body.
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6.Rooh Afza Sharbat:
Rooh Afza is a blend of herbal extracts, rose essence, and fruits, known for its refreshing and cooling properties. A popular drink during Ramadan. It helps in hydration, promotes better digestion, and also improves skin health. The rosewater in it has anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s a great drink to restore energy and balance during the summer. It can be served either plain or with ice.
Ingredients: Rose, sugar, kewra (Pine flower), mint, lemon, fruits, and various herbs.
Uses: Rooh Afza is often mixed with water, milk, lemonade or lassi. It is known for its refreshing taste and is a great thirst quencher during hot weather.
7.Coconut Water:
Coconut water is a natural electrolyte-rich drink that is perfect for hydration, especially in hot weather. It helps replenish lost fluids and minerals and can help in preventing dehydration and heat stroke. It also has detoxifying properties and aids digestion.
Ingredients: Fresh tinder coconut
Uses: Coconut water is naturally hydrating and rich in electrolytes, making it ideal for replenishing fluids after exercise or on hot days. It’s often consumed as a natural, healthy alternative to sugary drinks.
8.Lemon and Mint Sharbat:
This drink is excellent for cooling down the body. Lemon provides vitamin C and helps in detoxifying the body, while mint aids in digestion and provides a refreshing sensation. This combination is perfect for improving skin health and reducing the risk of heat exhaustion.
Ingredients: Lemon juice, mint leaves, sugar, water, salt.
Uses: A sour, refreshing drink that’s perfect for hot weather. The mint adds a cooling effect, while lemon provides a burst of citrus flavor. It’s a good thirst beverage and is often served during summer months.
9.Jaljeera:
Jaljeera is known for its digestive properties. It helps in improving digestion, preventing bloating, and reducing acidity. The spices in it, like cumin and black salt, have cooling properties and can help reduce body heat during the summer. It also has a mild diuretic effect, helping with detoxification.
Ingredients: Cumin powder, mint leaves, black salt, tamarind, coriander, lemon, sugar, water.
Uses: A spicy, tangy drink that aids digestion and helps cool the body. It’s often served as a street-side refreshment and is known for its digestive properties.
10.Kokum Sharbat:
Kokum is known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. Kokum Sharbat is great for reducing acidity, improving digestion, and soothing the stomach. It also helps regulate body temperature during hot weather and acts as a natural detoxifier.
Ingredients: Kokum (a sour fruit), sugar, water, black salt, cumin powder.
Uses: Kokum is great for hydrating and cooling the body. It’s often used to make a sweet-sour drink that’s perfect for hot summer days, and it’s also known to aid digestion and improve skin health.
11.Thandai:
Thandai is a South Asian cold drink prepared with a mixture of almonds and cashews, saffron, rose petals, and various spices like cardamom. It’s rich in antioxidants, improves digestion, and boosts energy. Thandai is also believed to have a cooling effect on the body, making it a great summer drink. It’s often consumed during festivals like Holi to reduce heat and fatigue.
Ingredients: Almonds, pistachios, melon seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, cardamom, rose petals, saffron, milk, sugar.
Uses: Traditionally served during festivals like Holi, Thandai is a rich, aromatic drink with a cooling effect. It’s also considered a regenerating drink, often consumed for its health benefits during the summer.
