15 Simple and Delicious Summer Drinks You Must Try

With the soaring temperatures, summer drinks are a must to keep your body cool and provide extra hydration. You may be tempted to pick up a chilled aerated drink to quench your thirst, but sodas make you thirsty. There are many healthier summer drink ideas to explore that you can make in the comfort of your home! 

The summer drink recipes are quite easy and quick and you will just need a few ingredients from your kitchen. So, here are the best summer drink ideas you may want to try to beat the heat this summer.

 

• Lemonade 

• Mango lassi

• Jaljeera:

• Sattu Drink:

• Sugarcane Juice

• Rose Milk (Rose Sharbat):

• Panakam:

• Thandai:

• Kokum Solkadhi:

• Bel Sharbat:

• Mango Lemonade:

• Aam Panna

• Kokum Sarbat

• Masala Lemonade

• Masala Chaas

 

Also Read: Sizzling Summer Fun: 6 Exciting Summer Activities to Try 

Lemonade (Nimbu Pani)

A classic summer drink made with lemon juice, water, sugar, and optionally flavoured with mint or spices like cumin.

Ingredients:

• Juice of 4-6 lemons
• 4 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• Handful of fresh mint leaves (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice and cold water.
• Add sugar to the lemon-water mixture and stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
• If using, crush the mint leaves slightly to release their flavor and add them to the pitcher.
• Optionally, add roasted cumin powder for an extra flavor dimension.
• Stir everything together and taste. Adjust sweetness or sourness by adding more sugar or lemon juice if necessary.
• Add ice cubes to the pitcher or serve the lemonade over ice cubes in individual glasses.
• Garnish with a lemon slice or mint sprig, if desired.
• Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing Nimbu Pani!

Mango Lassi: A delicious blend of ripe mangoes, yogurt, milk, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Sliced almonds or pistachios for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a blender, combine the diced mangoes, plain yogurt, milk, sugar, and ground cardamom.
• Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Taste the lassi and adjust the sweetness if necessary by adding more sugar.
• Add ice cubes to the blender and blend again until the lassi is chilled and frothy.
• Pour the mango lassi into serving glasses.
• Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios if desired.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious and creamy Mango Lassi!

Jaljeera

A tangy and spicy drink made with cumin, mint, tamarind, and black salt, mixed with chilled water.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons jaljeera powder (readily available in Indian grocery stores)
• 4 cups chilled water
• Handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
• 1 teaspoon black salt
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a pitcher, combine the jaljeera powder and chilled water. Stir well until the powder is fully dissolved.
• Add chopped mint leaves, tamarind pulp, and black salt to the pitcher. Stir again to mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
• Taste the jaljeera and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more jaljeera powder or black salt.
• Add ice cubes to the pitcher or pour the jaljeera over ice cubes in individual glasses.
• Optionally, garnish with lemon slices for extra tanginess.
• Stir before serving to ensure all the flavors are well combined.
• Serve chilled and enjoy the tangy and refreshing Jaljeera!

Sattu Drink

Made from roasted chickpea flour (sattu), water, lemon juice, and salt, this drink is popular in North India and is known for its cooling effect.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sattu (roasted chickpea flour)
• 2 cups cold water
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon black salt (kala namak)
• 1 tablespoon sugar or jaggery (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• In a glass or pitcher, add sattu and cold water.
• Stir well until the sattu is fully dissolved in the water.
• Squeeze in the lemon juice and add black salt.
• If desired, you can add sugar or jaggery for sweetness, although it's optional.
• Mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
• Add ice cubes to the drink to chill it further.
• Stir before serving.
• Serve chilled and enjoy the cooling effect of Sattu Drink!

Sugarcane Juice (Ganne ka Ras)

Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice served with a dash of lemon and sometimes flavored with ginger or mint. It's naturally sweet and incredibly refreshing.

Ingredients:

• Fresh sugarcane stalks, peeled and washed
• Lemon wedges
• Ginger slices (optional)
• Mint leaves (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Pass the peeled and washed sugarcane stalks through a juicer to extract the juice.
• Collect the juice in a clean container.
• If desired, you can add a dash of lemon juice, ginger slices, or mint leaves to enhance the flavor.
• Pour the sugarcane juice into glasses filled with ice cubes.
• Optionally, garnish each glass with a lemon wedge or a sprig of mint.
• Stir before serving to mix in any added flavors.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the naturally sweet and refreshing drink!

Rose Milk (Rose Sharbat)

A fragrant drink made with rose syrup, milk, and optionally a scoop of ice cream. It has a delicate floral flavor and is perfect for summer evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons rose syrup
• 1-2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
• A few drops of rose water (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Scoops of vanilla ice cream (optional)

Instructions:

• In a pitcher, combine the milk, rose syrup, and sugar.
• If using, add a few drops of rose water to enhance the fragrance.
• Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Add ice cubes to the pitcher to chill the rose milk.
• Optionally, you can add scoops of vanilla ice cream to make it even more indulgent.
• Stir before serving to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
• Pour the rose milk into serving glasses.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the delicate floral flavour of Rose Milk!

Panakam

A traditional South Indian drink made with jaggery (or sugar), water, dried ginger powder, cardamom, and optionally flavoured with lemon juice. It's both sweet and spicy, perfect for hot days.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jaggery (or sugar)
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon dried ginger powder (sonti or chukku)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, dissolve the jaggery (or sugar) in water over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Once the jaggery is completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a simmer, remove from heat.
• Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
• Add dried ginger powder and ground cardamom to the cooled jaggery water. Stir well.
• If using, add lemon juice for a tangy flavor.
• Refrigerate the Panakam until chilled or serve immediately over ice cubes.
• Stir well before serving.
• Serve chilled and enjoy the sweet and spicy flavors of Panakam!

Thandai

A popular North Indian drink, especially during festivals like Holi, made with a blend of milk, nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios), seeds (like poppy seeds and melon seeds), and flavoured with spices like saffron, cardamom, and pepper.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios), soaked and peeled
• 2 tablespoons mixed seeds (poppy seeds, melon seeds), soaked
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron strands (optional)
• Pinch of black pepper powder
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• In a blender, combine soaked and peeled nuts, soaked seeds, sugar, ground cardamom, saffron strands (if using), and black pepper powder.
• Blend until you get a smooth paste, adding a little milk if needed to help with blending.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the blended paste with the remaining milk.
• Stir well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Refrigerate the Thandai mixture for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
• Before serving, stir the Thandai mixture well.
• Pour the Thandai into serving glasses filled with ice cubes.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of Thandai!

Kokum Solkadhi

A coastal special summer drink, particularly from Goa and Maharashtra, made with kokum extract, coconut milk, and spices like garlic, ginger, and green chillies. It's tangy, refreshing, and aids in digestion.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 dried kokum petals
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1-2 green chilies, slit lengthwise
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, soak dried kokum petals in water for about 30 minutes.
• After soaking, squeeze the kokum petals to extract the juice. Discard the petals.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the kokum extract, coconut milk, crushed garlic, grated ginger, slit green chilies, and salt.
• Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
• Refrigerate the Kokum Solkadhi for at least 1 hour to chill and allow the flavors to blend.
• Before serving, stir the Kokum Solkadhi well.
• Pour the Kokum Solkadhi into serving glasses.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves if desired.
• Serve chilled and enjoy the tangy and refreshing Kokum Solkadhi!

Bel Sharbat

Made from the pulp of wood apple (bel fruit), sugar, and water, this drink is popular in parts of North India. It has a unique sweet and tangy flavour and is believed to have cooling properties.

Ingredients:

• Pulp of 2 wood apples (bel fruit)
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Scoop out the pulp from the wood apples and discard the seeds.
• In a blender, blend the wood apple pulp with water until smooth.
• Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any solids.
• In a pitcher, combine the strained bel fruit juice with sugar. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.
• Refrigerate the Bel Sharbat until chilled.
• Before serving, stir the Bel Sharbat well.
• Pour the Bel Sharbat into serving glasses filled with ice cubes.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the unique sweet and tangy flavor of Bel Sharbat!

Mango Lemonade

A simple yet delicious summer drink made by blending ripe mangoes with lemon and sugar. This mango lemonade is perfect for quenching your thirst and enjoying the tropical flavours of mango with a hint of tanginess from the lemon.

Recipes:

• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
• Juice of 2-3 lemons (adjust to taste)
• 4 cups cold water
• 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• In a blender, add the diced mangoes and blend until smooth. You can add a splash of water if needed to help with blending.
• In a large pitcher, combine the mango puree, lemon juice, sugar, and cold water. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness and tartness according to your preference. Add more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
• Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Once chilled, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the mango lemonade over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.

Aam Panna

Mango is the summer fruit of India, and there are many refreshing drinks one can make with this fruit. People across the country make aam papad, pickles, and many other delicacies with unripe mangoes, and Aam Panna is one of them. This refreshing summer drink is easy to make and leaves you feeling refreshed and cool for hours after consumption.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm Raw Mangoes
• 1 cup Sugar or Jaggery 
• 2 tsp of black salt/chaat masala
• A pinch of Jeera powder
• Mint leaves
• Water

Procedure:

• Rinse the raw mangoes and peel them.
• Add the mangoes to a pressure cooker and cook them for 2-3 whistles. Let the steam escape from the cooker. Cook them in the pressure cooker for 5-6 minutes.
• Strain the cooked mango pulp and let it cool.
• Your aam panna concentrate is ready.
• As per your requirement, take some aam panna concentrate in a blender, add ice, water, sugar, jeera powder, and black salt as per taste.
• Garnish with mint leaves and jeera powder.

Kokum Sharbat

Kokum Sharbat has to be one of the most refreshing summer drinks. It is easy to make and store for later use as well. Kokum is a popular summer fruit in Maharashtra, Goa, and Kerala. It is a natural coolant for the body, and it also helps with digestion and improves appetite. It is rich in Vitamin C and is an anti-oxidant. It used to beat the heat as rubbing the fruit on heat rashes really helps cool the skin down.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kokum 
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar or jaggery
• 1-2 tsp black salt/ chaat masala

Procedure:

• Chop the kokum fruit, remove the seeds and grind it into a thick pulp.
• Strain the kokum mixture into a container.
• Boil sugar and water until it becomes a thick syrup.
• Cool the syrup down and add it to the kokum mixture.
• Your kokum concentrate is ready.
• Take 2 tbsp of kokum concentrate, add cold water, ice cubes, and a pinch of chaat masala and mix it.
• Enjoy your refreshing summer drink.

Also Read: Sizzling Summer Escapes: 4 Places to Escape the Summer Heat

Masala Lemonade

Nimbu Pani will forever be one of the best summer drinks. Lemons are loaded with Vitamin C and act as natural coolants for the body. Lemonade is also said to help with digestion, constipation and is overall beneficial for the immune system.

Ingredients:

• 4 large lemons
• Water
• Sugar (to taste)
• A pinch of Jal Jira powder
• Ice 
• Salt to taste
• Pudina (for garnish)

Procedure:

• Squeeze lemons into a jar. 
• Add sugar, jaljira powder, salt, ice, and water.
• Stir it together and pour the mixture into glasses.
• Garnish with pudina, and your refreshing summer drink is ready!

Masala Chaas

Masala Chaas is a classic and one of the most refreshing summer drinks. It has a natural cooling effect on the body and helps stay hydrated. Chaas also helps prevent acidity, reduces blood pressure, helps fight constipation, and is rich in vitamins and nutrients. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 cups cold water
• Pinch of cumin powder
• Pinch of black salt
• Cilantro or Pudina (for garnish)

Procedure:

• Add all ingredients together in a blender 
• Blend it together till its all combined
• Garnish with pudina or cilantro.

Also Read: Smart Ways to Celebrate Summer Vacations

The summer heat can be brutal, so make sure you stay hydrated. Keep sipping on these refreshing summer drinks, and stay cool!