The sun is blazing, and your clothes cling to your skin. What is the thought running through your mind? You are probably thinking of sipping on some refreshing summer drinks. After all, you have the perfect excuse to swap your favourite “adrak-waali chai” for some chilled concoctions that will cool you and lift your spirits. Whether you are lounging on a hammock or fanning yourself on your balcony, summer beverages can make all the difference.
Want to grab a chilled cola or a packaged juice? Though an easy alternative, is it the healthiest choice? Ditch these sugary, preservative-loaded drinks and whip up something in your kitchen. We bring to you a whole collection of summertime drinks that can lift your mood with the very first sip. What’s more, you can prepare them in a jiffy without slogging in the kitchen heat.
So, grab your blender, raid your refrigerator, and get ready to turn up the chill factor.
The need for summer drinks: Why they matter
What’s all this brouhaha surrounding summer drinks when the humble water can do the trick? Well, that’s true, but there is more to these beverages than just being thirst-quenchers. Here’s why you should indulge in them:
● Hydration is key
Due to the immense heat, your body sweats and loses a lot of water. If you do not replace it regularly, you are at risk of dehydration. Bored of drinking plain water every time? Choose tasty summertime beverages to stay hydrated.
● Beat the fatigue
Do you feel lethargic during summer? The reason is fatigue caused by the excess loss of water from the body. Solution? Grab a cool, nutrient-rich drink to recharge your body and keep going.
● Packed with seasonal goodness
Come summer, the markets are flooded with seasonal fruits like watermelon, muskmelon, etc. What’s more, these are used to make summer drinks that nourish and energise you. Mix these with mint, lemon, etc., to create cooling beverages.
● Nostalgia in a glass
Remember the refreshing “shikanji” you happily guzzled after playing with your friends in the sun? Or the flavourful “chaas” your grandmother made you drink post-lunch? These are some of the best summertime drinks, and one sip will transport you to the good old days.
Must-try summer drinks to beat the sizzling heat
When the days get too hot and you crave something cold, grab a glass of fruity deliciousness. Make these summer drinks to give yourself a refreshing break:
Classics that never quit: Timeless thirst quenchers, you cannot go wrong with
1. Lemonade: The OG summer star
Call it lemonade, nimbu pani, or shikanji, this is one of the best summer drinks that hits the right spot every time. The mixture of sweet and tangy flavours never fails to take you down memory lane while also quenching your thirst.
Ingredients
● 1 lemon
● 1 cup cold water
● Sugar or honey (according to taste)
● A pinch of salt or black salt
● Ice cubes and mint leaves for garnish
Recipe
● If you are using sugar, dilute it in water. You can also use powdered sugar for quick dilution.
● Squeeze the lemon into the mixture and add a pinch of salt.
● Top it up with cold water.
● If you are using honey as a sweetener, now is the time to add it. Also, sprinkle a pinch of salt.
● Add ice cubes and mint and stir well.
2. Jaljeera: The tangy spice bomb
Remember your sneaky visits to the jaljeera vendor at the school gates? The spicy, tangy cooler takes you back to those mischievous times. A treat for your taste buds, it also acts as the perfect digestive.
Ingredients
● 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
● 2 cups chilled water
● 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
● 1 tbsp chopped mint leaves
● ½ tsp black salt
● Juice of 1 lemon
● Ice cubes
Recipe
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend them well. Strain it and serve it garnished with mint leaves and ice cubes.
3. Buttermilk (chaas): The gut-friendly cooler
This is one of the best summer beverages that is rooted in Indian tradition. While the base ingredient, the buttermilk, remains the same, each state brings its twist to the drink.
Ingredients
● 1 cup curd
● 2 cups chilled water
● Grated ginger
● Chopped coriander/mint/curry leaves
● A pinch of salt
● Roasted cumin powder
Recipe
● Add everything into the blender and blend.
● You can also use a whisk.
● Garnish with a pinch of roasted cumin powder and serve.
4. Iced tea: Cool and classy
Can’t do without that hit of caffeine? A tall glass of iced tea can save you from the heat while also giving you that much-needed kick.
Ingredients
● 1.25 litres of water
● 1 to 2 tsp tea powder (as per your taste)
● ½ cup sugar (adjust as per your preference)/honey
Recipe
● Pour the water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
● Turn off the heat and add the tea leaves or powder.
● Put in the sugar and mix everything well.
● Let it steep till it reaches the strength you prefer. For a light tea, leave it for 2-3 minutes. If you prefer a stronger flavour, let it steep for 4-5 minutes.
● Strain and let it cool.
● Add ice cubes before serving.
● Want to add more flavour to it? Squeeze some lemon juice or add some fruit syrup.
Fruity Fresh Summer Drinks- Seasonal Goodness in a Glass
1. Aam Panna or Raw Mango Cooler
One of the best summer drinks that you will find in most homes, this cools your body and energises you in an instant.
Ingredients
● 1 cup raw mango pulp
● 2 cups sugar/jaggery
● 1 tsp cardamom powder
● 1 tsp roasted jeera powder
● 2 tsp black salt
● ¼ tsp black pepper
Recipe
● In a pressure cooker, add the raw mangoes and cook them for two whistles on a medium flame.
● Turn off the heat and let the pressure release.
● Remove the lid and pour the contents of the pressure cooker into a strainer. Don’t throw away the water
● Let the mangoes cool and come to room temperature.
● With a spoon or knife, scrape off the pulp from the mangoes and the peels.
● Collect this in a bowl and add sugar and other ingredients to it.
● Mix well till the sugar is completely dissolved. You can also use a blender for this purpose.
● Your aam panna concentrate is ready. Store it in a bottle.
● To serve, take a small portion in a glass and top it with chilled water and ice cubes.
2. Watermelon slush: The pink perfection
Searching for naturally cool summer drinks? This should be at the top of your list. Subtly sweet and hydrating, a sip is enough to freshen you up.
Ingredients
● 3 cups chilled watermelon cubes
● 1 tbsp lemon juice
● 1 tsp honey or agave syrup
● A few sprigs of mint
Recipe
● Remove the seeds of the watermelon cubes before adding them to the blender.
● Add the other ingredients and blend well.
● Serve in a tall glass with ice cubes or crushed ice.
3. Pineapple ginger sparkler: When sweet meets spicy
Let your taste buds have a field day with this spicy, sweet delight that also has anti-inflammatory benefits.
Ingredients
● 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
● ½ tsp grated ginger
● Chilled soda or sparkling water
● Mint leaves
Recipe
● Mix the pineapple juice and ginger for a perfect infusion of flavours.
● Top up with soda or sparkling water.
● Garnish with mint leaves and serve.
● You can also add finely chopped pineapple pieces for an added twist.
4. Mango lassi: A sweet, smooth hug
One of the beloved cool beverages for summer, mango lassi is a creamy, classy delight with a perfect balance of flavours.
Ingredients
● 1 cup ripe mango pulp
● 1 cup chilled yoghurt
● ½ cup cold water or milk
● Sugar to taste
● Cardamom powder
Recipe
Blend all the ingredients in a blender to form a homogeneous mixture. Want to make it more interesting? Add chopped mango pieces and a fresh dollop of cream on top.
Healthy Hydrators: Guilt-free summer drinks that seem indulgent
1. Coconut water mojito: Fresh kick with tropical vibes
Are you on a diet? Coconut water is one of the most awesome summer drinks you can have guilt-free. Add a twist to it and you have yourself a winner.
Ingredients
● 1 glass of fresh coconut water
● Juice of ½ a lemon
● A handful of mint leaves
Recipe
● Mix all the ingredients in a blender.
● Chill it in the refrigerator before serving.
● For an extra dose of fibre, add a teaspoon of soaked chia seeds.
2. Cucumber mint cooler: Detox solution in a glass
When the endless heat and lethargy make you feel bloated, reach out for this summer drink that soothes your stomach.
Ingredient
● 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
● Juice of 1 lemon
● A few sprigs of mint
● 1-2 tsp of honey
● 1 ½ cups cold water
Recipe
● Pop all the ingredients into a blender and blend them properly.
● Strain and serve it cool.
3. Aloe vera refresher: For the perfect spa vibes
When looking for great summer drinks that can make your skin glow, add this to your everyday diet.
Ingredients
● 2 tbsp of edible aloe vera gel
● Juice of 1 lemon
● 1-2 tsp of honey
● 1 ½ cups chilled water.
Recipe
● Take a bowl or pitcher and add everything into it.
● Using a ladle or long-handled spoon, mix everything properly.
● Garnish with lemon slices and ice cubes, and serve.
Fancy Mocktails: Fizzy drinks to fool the mixologist
1. Virgin Piña Colada: A creamy coconut escape
One sip of this drink, and you will be transported to the tropical zone without a passport.
Ingredients
● 1 cup pineapple juice
● ½ cup coconut milk or cream
● Crushed ice
Recipe
● Add everything to the blender and blend well.
● Pour it into a hurricane glass and garnish with pineapple slices.
● For a special twist, pour this into popsicle moulds and freeze them.
2. Summer berry smash: Looks fancy, tastes fancier
Looking for ideas to whip up some unique, cool beverages for summer that have antioxidant properties? This drink should definitely make it to your list.
Ingredients
● ¼ cup strawberries and blueberries (fresh or frozen)
● A few basil or mint leaves
● 1 tsp sugar or agave
● 2 cups sparkling water or soda
Recipe
● Add the berries, herbs, and sugar to a blender and mix. You can also muddle them with a spoon.
● Pour chilled water or soda over the mix.
● Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.
3. Orange sunrise fizz: A citrusy sparkle
Impressed by the lovely summer drinks you see on Instagram? Here’s your chance to create an equally tempting one.
Ingredients
● ½ cup orange juice
● A dash of pomegranate syrup or grenadine
● Lemon soda or sparkling water
Recipe
● Put ice in a mocktail glass.
● Pour the orange juice over this.
● Take a spoon and invert it so that it touches the surface of the orange juice.
● Gently pour the grenadine or pomegranate syrup over the back of the spoon.
● Top with the lemon soda or sparkling water.
● Garnish with orange slices.
Making the perfect summer drinks: Essential tips
If you think making perfectly cool summertime drinks is all about tossing the ingredients and ice into a blender, think again. It is the art of balancing flavours with the right amount of chill. Following these tips will help you nail the drink every time:
● It's all about the ice
Not all ice is the same, nor do they have the same effect. Want to chill a drink quickly? Use crushed ice. It also gives your beverage a slushy consistency. To serve a slow-sipping drink, opt for ice cubes. It takes time to cool the beverage and does not water down the flavour very quickly. Freeze juice into cubes and add it to the drink to see the magic unravel.
● Play the field with the garnish game
When it comes to garnishing, we are sure the first thing that comes to your mind is mint and lemon slices. But please don’t stop at these. How about something unique, something extraordinary, as if you are sitting in a 5-star hotel and ordering a summer drink for yourself. What about sprigs of rosemary or basil, or a sprinkle of edible flowers? Sounds amazing, right? For a more daring or bold attempt, you can go for a slice of red chilli to add a contrast. These small elements of garnish not only enhance the look but also the aroma and flavour of the drink.
● Swap the sweeteners
Sweetening your summer drinks with refined sugar or sugar syrup is so passè. Ditch them and experiment with natural sweeteners like honey, jaggery syrup, or agave. These are healthy alternatives that add the required sweetness.
● Know the temperature tricks
Want the summer drinks to stay cooler for longer? Freeze your glassware for about 10 minutes before pouring the beverage into it. This small move can make a big difference.
● Add some sparkle
When in doubt, fizz up your drink. Add an instant celebratory vibe to your drinks by topping them with a dash of soda or sparkling water.
● Keep the mixes ready
For times when you just can’t go that extra mile to make drinks, pre-mixes can help. Make fruit purees and flavoured syrups and refrigerate them in airtight containers. Freeze lemon juice and spice bases in ice trays and store them in zip-lock bags in the freezer.
Conclusion
As summer turns up the heat, notch up your drink game. Indulge in nostalgic classics and modern mocktails to ace your hydration goals and stay energised. Get creative and mix ingredients to create new flavours that can give mixologists a run for their money. So, raise a toast to the sun god and sip your way to a happy, healthy you.
FAQs
How to make summer drinks more visually appealing?
When entertaining guests, don't stick to the traditional glasses. Opt for tall glasses, mason jars, etc. Create colourful sugar rims and garnish with edible flowers or lemon slices. Try layering the ingredients to give the summer drink a visual appeal.
How to avoid watering down summer drinks?
Don’t add ice cubes or crushed ice to the juices as they water them down, reducing the flavour. Instead, freeze the juices and fruit puree in ice cubes. Add a few of these to the drink. As they melt, the taste of the beverage is enhanced.
What equipment is needed to make summer drinks at home?
To prepare summer beverages at home, you require a blender, a citrus squeezer, and a strainer. You may also need a muddler. It is advisable to have ice cube trays and popsicle moulds. Furthermore, get trendy pitchers, drinkware, mason jars, and reusable straws.