Ah, the scorching heat of summer is here. It may be hot and humid, but one can't deny that it’s also the season of delicious, juicy fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, succulent mangoes, seedy falsa berries - you name it! All the healthy gifts of nature are here for you to avail.
During the summer, especially when the humidity rises, it is very important to stay hydrated in order to avoid a heatstroke or unnecessary exhaustion. A lot of sweating decreases the body’s water level resulting in summer ailments. Opting for home-made drinks over packaged and preserved beverages is the way to go!
Some of the well-loved classic desi summer drinks have been enjoyed for generations and are still superbly alluring. Made from fresh fruits, these coolers are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and B6, minerals, dietary fibre, potassium, phosphorus and many micro-nutrients.
Here, I am sharing some simple, healthy, as well as tantalising drinks that won't take much effort to make but will refresh both your body and spirit. These are dazzling – in looks and in taste.
I hope you will enjoy them fully to quench your summer thirst. Cheers!
1. Watermelon slush
You will need:
Seeded watermelon chunks 3 cups
Lime juice 1/3 cup
Black salt (Kaala namak ¼ tsp
Sugar 1 tsp or to taste
Roasted cumin seed powder ¼ tsp (optional)
Ice cubes
Blend all the above ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture in a container and put it in freezer for 2-3 hours. After the mentioned time, blend the mixture again until it becomes slushy. Pour in glasses and serve immediately.
2. Mango lassi
You will need:
Yoghurt 1 cup
Milk ½ cup
Mango cubes 1 cup
Sugar 4 tsp or to taste
Cardamom powder ¼ tsp (optional)
Ice cubes
Blend all the above ingredients until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve chilled.
3. Sherbet-e-falsa
You will need:
Falsa 2 cups
Sugar ½ cups or to taste
Black salt ½ tsp
Water ½ cup
Ice cubes
Mix all the ingredients and blend them very well. You can add a little more water if you prefer a more dilute drink. After blending, sieve the mixture to discard all the seeds. Add more ice if required and serve chilled.
4. Pineapple shake
You will need:
Pineapple chunks 1 cup
Milk ½ cup
Tutti frutti ice cream 1-2 cups
Sugar 2-3 tsp or to taste
Grounded cinnamon ¼ tsp
In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend them well to get smooth texture. Pour into glasses and enjoy.
5. Raw mango cooler
You will need:
Green mangoes (kairi) 2
Water 41/2 cups
Salt ½ tsp
Sugar 3-4 tbsp or to taste
Mint leaves 3 tbsp
Lemon wedges (optional)
Roasted cumin seed 1 tsp
Ice cubes
In a big pot, pour water enough for boiling mangoes (approximately for 10 minutes). Drain and peel the skin of the mangoes. Scoop out all the flesh. In a blender, add flesh and all the above mentioned ingredients except lemon wedges. In a glass, add some chopped mint leaves and lemon wedges and pour the mango blended mush. Decorate with lemon. Serve chilled.
Some tips:
Instead of sugar you can go for honey or jaggery (gurh).
You can add black pepper along with black salt.
Instead of tutti frutti ice cream, you can use vanilla flavour.
To avoid the breakage of your blender, put large ice pieces into a plastic bag and breakup them into small ones with the help of a roller pin or kitchen hammer.
Have fun staying fresh, hydrated and thus more focused this summer. Try out one of these drinks every day of the week!
PHOTOS: TANVEER KHADIM
Read more by Tanveer here