Beat the Heat with These 4 Simple and Delicious Summer Drinks

With the soaring temperatures this summer, we all need a little extra hydration. Apart from keeping us hydrated, these refreshing summer drinks also help keep our bodies cool. You may feel tempted to pick up a chilled aerated drink to quench your thirst, but sodas make you more thirsty. There are many healthier options to explore that you can make in the comfort of your home! 

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All you need is a few ingredients and a few minutes. So, here are some summer drink ideas you may want to try to beat the heat this summer. 

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.

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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.

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