Hot summers in India are painful. As the mercury rises and the sun beats down on us, we want a refreshing drink to quench our thirst. Indian summer drinks have a long history of deliciousness and health advantages and are perfect for hot weather. Whether you’re a fan of fragrant spices or fruity treats, these 10 refreshing and delicious summer drinks will be your go-to companions this summer. Explore 10 delightful Indian summer drinks that offer flavour and hydration.
Lemon mint lemonade
The refreshing mint and tangy lemon make for a perfect summer drink, and this lemon mint lemonade will revitalise you. A few variations that might be entertaining for you are these:
Summer Vodka Fizz:
A simple and easy-to-make cocktail perfect for hot days.
Ingredients: mint, lemon, vodka, mint simple syrup, and club soda.
The mint simple syrup adds sweetness, while lemon juice provides tartness.
Top it off with club soda for a nice fizz.
Meyer Lemon Mojito:
A twist on the classic mojito.
Ingredients: rum, mint leaves, Meyer lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.
The Meyer lemon adds a unique, slightly sweeter flavour.
Perfect for those who enjoy light and fruity drinks.
Lemon Mocktail With Mint:
A healthy, non-alcoholic option.
Made with fresh lemon juice, coconut water, club soda, and mint.
Optional honey for sweetness.
It is hydrating and refreshing for spring and summer.
You can go right with all these recipes for mint and lemon!
Ice Tea
Nothing beats a glass of iced tea to cool down when the weather outside is scorching. If you’re looking for a great iced tea recipe, try these:
Pineapple Iced Tea:
A sweet and tropical twist on traditional green tea.
You can make it low-carb or keto-friendly by using a zero-carb sugar substitute.
Cold Brew Iced Tea:
Cold brewing reduces bitterness, resulting in a smoother flavour.
Perfect for those who prefer unsweetened tea.
Raspberry Iced Tea:
A berry lover’s dream—sweetly tart and refreshing.
Ready in just 10 minutes with five simple ingredients.
Matcha Iced Tea:
It is a brilliant green, minty, and no-sugar-added recipe.
Enjoy it year-round!
Cherry Iced Tea:
Make cherry syrup (it’s easy!), mix with unsweetened tea, and add ice.
Quick and delicious!
If you want to make your iced tea, please peruse these recipes!
Fruit Punch
A refreshing and colourful fruit punch is perfect for outdoor summer parties. Indulge in one of these revitalising fruit punch recipes:
Tropical Pineapple-Orange Punch:
Combine pineapple and orange juice in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
Add your favourite fruit-flavoured club soda for fizz.
Enhance it with fresh fruit slices (pineapple, oranges, strawberries).
Serve over ice for a relaxed and fruity treat.
Classic Rum Fruit Punch:
Mix rum, vodka, orange, pineapple, grenadine, and lemon juice.
Stir well and add fresh fruit (such as berries and citrus slices) and ice.
Garnish with additional fruit and a colourful straw.
Minty Lemon-Cucumber Punch:
Thinly slice lemon and cucumber.
Float them in a sweet, mellow white grape lemonade.
Fresh mint leaves add a cooling burst.
Banana Slush Punch:
It is a fun, slushy option for parties.
Blend banana, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda until slushy.
Unwind with a reviving Banana Slush Punch, the actual summertime beverage. Sip on this reviving beverage, a creative take on traditional slushies created with bananas, pineapples, and lemon-lime soda; savour the summer heat.
Refreshing punches that you can tailor to your sweetness and fizziness preferences—enjoy!
Fruit spritzers
Fruit spritzers are great and revitalising summer drinks. You might find these foods interesting:
Blueberry Lemon Vodka Spritz:
Made with fresh blueberries, lemon, vodka, and sparkling water.
Perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.
Rosé Spritz:
A twist on the classic Aperol Spritz.
Combines Aperol with the light and fruity taste of rosé.
It is ideal for lazy afternoons on the patio.
Strawberry Limoncello Spritz:
Combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tartness of lemon.
A grown-up version of strawberry lemonade.
Refreshing and light for summer sipping.
Try these drinks and savour summer’s sparkling tastes free will!
Coolers
Fruit spritzers are great and revitalising summer drinks. You might find these foods interesting:
Lemon Cucumber Cooler:
Combine fresh cucumber slices, lemon juice, and mint leaves.
Add chilled water or sparkling water.
Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired.
Serve over ice for a revitalising drink.
Pineapple Iced Tea:
Brew strong black tea and chill it.
Mix with pineapple juice and a splash of lime.
Garnish with fresh mint or a pineapple wedge.
Perfect for poolside sipping.
Watermelon Mint Slush:
Blend watermelon chunks with fresh mint leaves.
Add a squeeze of lime juice and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth and serve immediately.
A hydrating and cooling treat.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade:
Make a classic lemonade with fresh lemon juice and sugar.
Add sliced strawberries and torn basil leaves.
Let it infuse in the fridge for an hour.
Serve over ice with a strawberry garnish.
Adjust sweetness and flavours to your liking and enjoy these summer coolers!
Try these drinks and savour summer’s sparkling tastes free will!
Coconut Water
Coconut water is one flexible and rejuvenating ingredient for many summer drinks. These mouthwatering ideas for coconut water beverages are just for you:
Coconut Water Lemonade:
Mix coconut water with fresh lemon juice, honey, and ice cubes.
Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves for a zesty and hydrating lemonade.
Pineapple Coconut Juice:
Combine pineapple juice, coconut water, and a squeeze of lime.
Serve it chilled for a tropical twist on a classic drink.
Ginger Shots:
To boost your antioxidants, mix coconut water with lemon juice, fresh ginger, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
It’s a revitalising shot for energy or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Coconut Water Kefir:
Ferment coconut water to create a gut-friendly kefir.
Rich in beneficial bacteria and probiotics, it supports digestion and overall health.
Tropical Twist Smoothie:
Use coconut water as the base for your smoothie.
Blend it with chopped pineapple, grapes, mango, and leafy greens for a hydrating and nutritious treat.
Turmeric Shots:
Mix coconut water with fresh turmeric juice for an anti-inflammatory boost.
Turmeric is known for its health benefits; this shot is a quick way to enjoy them.
Coconut Water Ice Pops:
Freeze coconut water in ice cube trays.
Add coconut ice cubes to regular water with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing infusion.
Coconut water is tasty and loaded with electrolytes and minerals. Enjoy these inventive coconut water beverages all summer long!
Thandai
The cooling effects of the traditional Indian drink Thandai make it a summertime favourite. It is an essential dish during Holi and is often associated with North Indian food. Allow me to share my thoughts on Thandai:
Ingredients:
Thandai masala typically includes nuts (almonds are essential), seeds (melon seeds), and spices.
Other ingredients may include saffron, rose petals, and cardamom.
Some variations include bhang (a cannabis paste) during Holi celebrations.
Preparation:
The masala grins nuts, seeds, and spices into a fine powder.
This masala is then simmered with milk to create a flavorful and refreshing drink.
Serving:
Thandai is best served chilled.
Garnish with saffron strands, rose petals, or chopped nuts.
Health Benefits:
Thandai is believed to boost immunity due to its nutritious ingredients.
It’s a delightful way to stay cool during scorching summers.
Savour this stimulating and fragrant beverage!
Buttermilk
On hot summer days, buttermilk is a great drink to cool down with because of its versatility. Several excellent ways to savour it are as follows:
Chaas (Spiced Indian Buttermilk):
Chaas is a traditional Indian drink with yoghurt, spices, and herbs.
It’s cooling, refreshing, and low in calories.
Flavours of Chaas vary across regions, each offering a unique twist. In North India, cumin or mint is the go-to, while South India favours aromatic curry leaves and mustard seeds. On the other hand, Bengal adds an extraordinary lemon variety called “gondola lebu” to its Chaas, giving it a distinct flavour.
You can blend yoghurt with water, spices, and herbs for a homogenous mix.
South Indian Buttermilk (Majjige):
Similar to salted lassi, this yoghurt-based drink beats the heat.
Perfect for hot summer months.
Enjoy it as an alternative to sugary beverages.
Buttermilk Cocktails:
Try your hand at some Buttermilk Cocktails! For a creamy and sour taste, infuse buttermilk with gin, fragrant wine, and bitters. Indulge in a cool summer beverage with ice and a sprig of mint or try it with spicy Indian delicacies for a taste out of this world.
In the meantime, feel free to peruse these choices and recharge!
Aam Panna
One summertime favourite in Indian cuisine is Aam Panna, made from unripe green mangoes. It’s a lovely and refreshing dish. Staying calm and hydrated is vital when the weather becomes heated. Here are the key points of this tangy and tasty beverage:
Ingredients:
Green Mangoes: The star ingredient, providing a sweet-tart flavour.
Spices: Cumin and cardamom add warmth and depth.
Black Salt (Kala Namak): Enhances the taste and aids digestion.
Sweetener: You can use sugar, jaggery, or other alternatives.
Two Methods:
Boiled Aam Panna:
Boil green mangoes, extract the pulp, and blend it with spices and sweetener.
Dilute with water and serve chilled.
Roasted Aam Panna:
Roast the mangoes for a smoky flavour.
Prepare similarly to the boiled version.
Health Benefits:
Cooling: Prevents heatstroke and keeps the body cool.
Digestion: The spices aid digestion.
Nutrients: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Enjoy this cooling mango elixir on sweltering summer days!
Lassi
Lassi, a yoghurt-based summer drink popular in India, is delicious and refreshing. It’s an ideal way to remain calm and hydrated in hot weather. If you’re looking for some alternatives, here they are:
Sweet Lassi:
A creamy, dessert-like drink.
Blend yoghurt, water, sugar, and cardamom powder.
Garnish with saffron strands or chopped nuts.
Satisfies your craving for chilled yoghurt.
Salt Lassi:
A savoury version with simple ingredients like salt and water.
Add fresh mint leaves or roasted cumin powder for extra flavour.
Perfect for a light and refreshing option.
Flavor Variations:
Get creative! Try mango lassi, kesar pista lassi (with saffron and pistachios), or even a paan lassi (with betel leaves).
Experiment with different fruits, spices, and herbs.
Enjoy the power of yoghurt in every sip!
Enjoy a refreshing lassi of your choice and beat the heat this summer!
Conclusion
Staying hydrated is essential in the hot Indian summers, and these energising and delicious Indian summer drinks are the perfect way to accomplish this. Enjoy the season to the utmost with one of these delightful drinks—from the tangy nimbu pani to the creamy thandai—to satisfy your thirst this season. You’ll be pleased to hear that each has a unique flavour profile. So, as you savour the flavours of summer, chill down with one of these tasty Indian cocktails. Embrace the heat and stay hydrated!