When summer arrives in India, it brings sweltering heat that can be taxing on your body, especially your stomach. Heavy meals, dehydration, and rising temperatures can cause digestive discomfort. Thankfully, Indian cuisine offers a range of natural, cooling drinks that not only quench your thirst but also soothe your stomach. Here’s a list of top Indian summer drinks that you must try to stay refreshed and healthy.
1.Aam Panna: The Ultimate Raw Mango Drink to Beat Summer Heat
Made from raw green mangoes, Aam Panna is a traditional Indian drink that’s packed with cooling properties. It is rich in Vitamin C and electrolytes, making it the perfect antidote to heat strokes and stomach upsets.
- Ingredients: Raw mangoes, mint leaves, cumin powder, black salt, sugar.
- Benefits: Prevents dehydration, improves digestion, cools the digestive tract.
- Best Way to Serve: Chilled with a sprinkle of roasted cumin powder on top.
Tip: Use jaggery instead of sugar for an even healthier version.
2.Chaas (Buttermilk): The Probiotic Powerhouse to Calm Your Gut
Chaas, or Indian buttermilk, is a fermented dairy drink seasoned with spices like roasted cumin and black salt. It’s incredibly light on the stomach and helps improve digestion.
- Ingredients: Curd, water, cumin powder, ginger, coriander leaves.
- Benefits: Rich in probiotics, aids digestion, reduces body heat.
- Best Way to Serve: Serve it chilled, garnished with chopped mint leaves.
Tip: Add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) for an extra boost to your gut health.
3.Nimbu Pani: The Classic Indian Lemonade for Instant Refreshment
No Indian summer is complete without Nimbu Pani, or lemonade. A simple mix of lemon juice, water, salt, and sugar can work wonders for your stomach and energy levels.
- Ingredients: Lemon juice, chilled water, black salt, sugar, mint leaves.
- Benefits: Balances electrolytes, aids digestion, prevents stomach cramps.
- Best Way to Serve: Add crushed mint and a few ice cubes for enhanced freshness.
Tip: Try using soda water for a fizzy version known as Shikanji.
4.Jaljeera: Spicy and Tangy Summer Drink to Soothe Your Digestive System
Jaljeera is a flavorful Indian drink made with a unique blend of cumin, tamarind, and mint. It acts as a digestive stimulant while cooling your stomach.
- Ingredients: Cumin seeds, tamarind, mint, black salt, water.
- Benefits: Aids in digestion, relieves acidity, prevents bloating.
- Best Way to Serve: Serve extra chilled with a lemon wedge on the rim.
Tip: Prepare the spice mix in advance and store it for instant use during summer days.
5.Sattu Sharbat: Bihar’s Cooling Drink for Strong Digestion
Originating from Bihar, Sattu Sharbat is made with roasted gram flour mixed in water with salt or sugar. It’s a powerhouse of energy and keeps your body temperature regulated.
- Ingredients: Sattu powder, water, lemon juice, black salt.
- Benefits: High in fiber, improves digestion, prevents sunstrokes.
- Best Way to Serve: Stir thoroughly and serve immediately with ice cubes.
Tip: Try the salty version with a hint of green chili for a savory kick.
6.Coconut Water: Natural Electrolyte Drink Straight from the Tropics
Fresh coconut water is one of nature’s most effective cooling drinks. It hydrates, replenishes electrolytes, and soothes an irritated stomach.
- Ingredients: Tender coconut water (freshly extracted).
- Benefits: Rich in potassium, aids hydration, calms digestion.
- Best Way to Serve: Chilled, preferably directly from the coconut shell.
Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon for an extra refreshing twist.
7.Bel Sharbat: Traditional Ayurvedic Summer Drink for Stomach Cooling
Bel Sharbat, made from the pulp of wood apple (Bel fruit), is a traditional Ayurvedic drink known for its stomach-soothing and digestive properties.
- Ingredients: Bel fruit pulp, water, jaggery, cardamom powder.
- Benefits: Treats acidity, cools the stomach, promotes healthy digestion.
- Best Way to Serve: Thick and chilled, often garnished with mint.
Tip: Strain the pulp carefully to get a smooth texture for the sharbat.
Indian summers are intense, but with these traditional cooling drinks, you can keep your stomach calm, your digestion smooth, and your body fully hydrated. Natural ingredients like raw mango, mint, cumin, and coconut work not just to beat the heat but also to nourish your body from within. Make these refreshing Indian beverages a part of your daily routine and enjoy a healthy, cool summer.