Summer has taken its toll on us, bringing with it a slew of health issues such as dehydration, sunburn, and heat stroke. In fact, acidity, skin irritation, digestive issues, and so on are all common these days. As a result, it is critical to consume the appropriate foods and beverages during the summer. It is especially important to stock up on drinks rather than food because you are much more likely to become dehydrated. It is also important to avoid packaged caffeinated beverages and processed drinks and juices, which may cause more harm than good due to high sugar and sodium levels.

What could be better than desi drinks that not only keep you cool in the heat but also provide some health benefits? The following are some cooling and hydrating drinks that are super healthy and will provide you with instant energy that you tend to lose in the heat.

1.   Buttermilk

Buttermilk, also known as chaas, is an Indian summer drink made from the liquid left over after cream is churned into butter. It is a light and refreshing drink that contains flavorful spices and can help you avoid dehydration.

It is a popular healthy beverage in various North Indian regions. The acidity of buttermilk is high due to the presence of lactic acid, which helps to prevent unwanted bacterial growth, which is one of the major health benefits of buttermilk.

Benefits of drinking Buttermilk (Chaas):

a) Helps in Weight loss– It is a refreshing summer drink high in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, calcium, potassium, and magnesium while being low in calories and fats. It will make you feel full and prevent overeating, which will help you lose weight.

b) Reduces acidity– Start incorporating chaas in your diet if you frequently get acid reflux following a meal. Yogurt will help calm your stomach and ease any discomfort, while ginger and other spices will help combat acidity.

c) Boosts digestion– Chaas’s spices work wonders as digestive aids to stop indigestion and excessive burping. Yogurt contains probiotics, which promote the growth of healthy gut flora. This will help with everything from digestion to immunity.

How to make Chaas at home:

Ingredients:

• Yoghurt- 400 ml
• Black salt- 1 tsp
• Chaat masala- 1 tsp 
• Ginger- 1/2 inch
• Green chillies, finely chopped- 2
• Asafoetida (Hing)- a pinch
• Salt to taste
• Lemon juice- 1 tsp
• Curry leaves (Kadi Patta)- a few
• Coriander, chopped – 2 tbsp

Method:

• In a mixer, combine the green chillies, coriander, ginger, and 2-3 curry leaves to make a smooth paste.
• Blend in the yoghurt with a hand blender until smooth
• Fill a glass with this mixture.
• Mix in the chaat masala, black salt, salt, lemon juice, and asafoetida.
• Place in the refrigerator to chill.
• Serve with one curry leaf and a few coriander leaves.

2.   Aam Panna

Mangoes are irresistible in the summer, and Aam Panna is a drink made from raw mangoes that are high in nutrients and vitamins and will keep you hydrated in a delicious way.

Benefits of drinking Aam Panna:

a) Beneficial during pregnancy– Aam Panna is high in Folates, which aid in the prevention of birth defects and the healthy growth of a baby in the womb.

b) Good source of iron– Aam Panna, is also a rich source of iron and aids in meeting the body’s daily iron requirements. Not only that, but Aam Panna can be one of the best sources of iron intake when it comes to preventing diseases caused by iron deficiency, such as anemia.

c) Reduces liver problems– Raw mangoes help to keep your intestine clean and help to prevent various liver problems by assisting in the secretion of bile juices. Because of the vitamin C and antioxidants in them, it also helps to prevent cancer and cardiovascular problems.

How to make Aam Panna at home:

Ingredients :

• Raw mango- 1
• Water- 2 cups
• Mint- 3 tbsp
• Sugar- ¼ cup
• Cardamom powder- ½ tsp
• Cumin powder- ½ tsp
• Pepper powder- ½ tsp
• Salt- ¾ tsp
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Put raw mango and 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker and cook it for 5 minutes on high pressure.
• Let it cool after it has been cooked.
• Peel the skin off the boiled mango.
• Scrape the mango pulp into the blender along with the other ingredients.
• Blend until smooth.
• Mix in some cold water to this blended paste.
• Fill a glass halfway with ice cubes and top with the prepared Aam Panna.
• Garnish with mint leaves and serve chilled.

3.   Bael Juice

Bael is one of those trees that have medicinal and therapeutic properties in every part of it. While its leaves can be eaten raw to improve gut health and overall immunity, bael juice has numerous other advantages!

Benefits of drinking Bael Juice:

a) Reduces Constipation– Bael fruit juice is an excellent remedy for constipation and stomach pain. This has laxative properties that help clean and tone the intestines.

b) Lowers cholesterol– Bael juice aids in cholesterol management and lowers blood cholesterol levels. It is a heart-protective fruit high in antioxidants that lowers the risk of heart disease.

c) Removes toxins – It acts as a blood purifier because it contains minerals that help in the removal of toxins from the body. Furthermore, it functions as a natural detoxifier, promoting the health of the liver and kidneys.

How to make Bael Juice at home:

Ingredients:

• Bael fruit, ripe- 1
• Honey-2 tsp or jaggery
• Lemon juice-1 tbsp
• Water -2 to 3 glasses
• Cumin powder- 1 tsp

Method:

• Break open the shell of the fruit and scoop out the pulp.
• Soak the pulp in 1 -2 glasses of chilled water for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes mash the pulp well, you can use your hands for the same and take a strainer and strain the mixture well so that there is no thick pulp left.
• Stir the mixture well.
• Add water, honey or jaggery, black cumin, and lemon juice, and serve with some ice cubes.

4.   Lassi

In these hot months, there is nothing better than a glass of cool lassi. Lassi, a traditional Indian beverage made with yogurt and rich in vitamins and minerals, can actually do wonders to your health.

Benefits of drinking Lassi:

a) Treats and prevents digestive conditions– Lassi contains lactobacillus bacterium which smoothens the intestines and makes digestion easier.

b) Ensures electrolyte balance– It contains various vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent way to keep the electrolyte balance in the body in check.

c) Contains probiotics– This one is for you if you’ve been consuming probiotic beverages to maintain a healthy gut. Lassi is full of probiotics, which strengthen your immune system and heart health by bringing down cholesterol levels. Its probiotics help to maintain the natural balance and support the good bacteria in our stomach.

How to make Lassi at home-

Ingredients:

• Fresh chilled curd- 2 cups
• Water- 1 cup
• Sugar- 4-5 tbsp
• Cardamom powder- 1 tsp
• Ice cubes
• Chopped nut to garnish

Method:

• In a blender, combine the curd, water, sugar, and cardamom powder
• Mix everything well
• Fill the glasses with ice cubes and pour in your blended lassi
• Use chopped nuts as a garnish.

5.   Watermelon Chia Cooler

Watermelons are one of the best summer fruits to eat. This fruit’s light and watery texture gives it a pleasant, refreshing flavour and helps you stay hydrated. This watermelon chia cooler is also loaded with antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins A, B6, and C.

Benefits of drinking watermelon Chia Cooler:

a) Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Properties– This juice contains a high level of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory nutrient, along with flavonoids and carotenoids, which help neutralize the effects of oxidative stress and the free radicals that cause premature ageing.

b) Muscle Strengthening– It also contains a lot of potassium, which is essential for the proper functioning of our muscles and nerves. Potassium also is a natural electrolyte that our bodies require after a workout.

c) Diabetes Management– compounds present in watermelon are converted by our bodies into arginine, an amino acid that helps in the maintenance of insulin sensitivity in our bodies, thereby preventing the onset of diabetes.

How to make Watermelon Chia Cooler at home-

Ingredients

• Chia seeds- 3tbsp
• Water- 2 cups
• Watermelon, cubed seedless – 4 cups (about ¼ medium-size melon)
• Fresh mint leaves- ¼ cup
• Lemon peel, grated- 1 tsp
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Salt- ⅛ tsp

Method

• Soak chia seed in a bowl and set aside for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mixture thickens and forms a gel.
• Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the watermelon, mint, lemon peel, lemon juice, and salt. Blend on high for 30 seconds.
• Pour in the chia water gel, cover, and pulse twice, or until the chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout the watermelon mixture.
• Pour into glasses and top with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

To wrap up

Summer might be our favourite season because of all the memories it brings, but it also brings with it dozens of new health issues such as fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, sweating, and so on, and staying hydrated is critical to avoiding them all. Therefore, be sure to consume these beverages to replenish your body with a variety of nutrients in a delicious way!

-Written & Edited by

Tanya Kathuria & Simran Sood