Cool Summer Drinks

Does the scorching heat outside make you exhausted and feel low of energy? As summer months ensnare us, we Indians must find any and all means of refuge from these torrid, torturous temperatures. There are lots of new, cool, fruity drinks around that seem perfect for a summer day and to improve health.

Most of us have certain summer drinks we look forward to revisiting each year. Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave something light and refreshing, you are sure to find a good fit. Water, of course, is always the top choice for quenching your thirsts, but when it comes to satisfying taste buds, you need something more. Here are some natural ways to remain cool this summer:

• Ice tea: Iced teas can be made from many different types of herbal teas or green teas available in the market today. Combine peppermint with green tea for a spectacular beverage full of antioxidants. If you drink tea many times a day, look for non-caffeinated version as caffeine is a diuretic (it increases the amount of urine eliminated by the body). Also, use the least amount of sweetener in your tea.

• Lassi: Lassis are enjoyed chilled as hot-weather refreshment. It is a good source of calcium, protein and very filling in nature. Originally from Punjab, it is made by blending curd with water, salt and spices until frothy. It can be flavoured with mint leaves (pudina), coriander leaves (dhania), ginger and hing (asafoetida). Sugar can also be used instead of salt to make the sweet version of lassi, which can be flavoured with real fruits like mango and banana.

• Mango Panna: Mango is one of all time favorite fruits, and you will find the best quality, fresh mangoes in summers. Mango Panna is really quite easy to make, tastes awesome, is quite refreshing and even provides a great cure for heat stroke. Boil the green mangoes, and add sugar and jeera (cumin seeds) to the boiled pulp. Add appropriate quantity of water and chill.

• Thandai: It is another traditional cooling drink that is made of a paste of almonds (badam), melon seeds, saffron (kesar), cardamom (elaichi), rose petals, and fennel seeds (saunf), to which cold sweetened milk is added.

• Amla Juice: Grind fresh Amlas (Indian gooseberry) and add some salt and optionally some hing (asafoetida), chat masala, black pepper powder and you have a refreshing summer drink ready which not only helps to manage the summer heat but also keeps your body healthy and immune.

• Jal jeera: In Hindi, "Jal" means water and "Jeera" means cumin. You can use the jaljeera powder readily available at a grocery store or make your drink at home. Just add lemon juice with water or soda; top it up with some mint leaves and ice and you have a refreshing drink ready. It is a healthy, no sugar, no artificial flavors drink and hence is loved by weight watchers as a cool alternative to the cola's.

• Nimbu pani (lemon water): Vitamin C rich lemon water improves immunity in the summer and is a refreshing thirst quencher due to its cool nature. Basic recipe involves adding lime juice to water or soda, with a pinch of rock salt and cumin powder (jeera) added to enhance its taste. Sugar can also be added to further enhance its taste.

• Ginger lime drink: Instead of having plain lime juice with water or soda, try adding a teaspoon of ginger juice per glass for a refreshing ginger-lime beverage. Fresh ginger gives traditional lemonade a new flavour.

• Coconut water: Coconut water is the best summer cooler available at any roadside corner. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals particularly potassium which helps lower blood pressure. It takes care of mineral requirement in the summer when the soaring temperatures deplete all the water and salts from the body.

Avoid those fizzy, carbonated drinks that you see all around you beckoning from every roadside shop, food mall or grocery store. Those are just empty calories. Also avoid heavily sweetened drinks as they don't seem to quench your thirst, but stimulate it. With a little research and a dash of creativity, a whole world of refreshing drinks awaits you.