Summery treats: Beat the heat with some refreshing and tantalising drinks

Staying hydrated in summer is of key importance. These easy-to-prepare drinks make it fun as well as tasty!

Ah, the scorching heat of summer is here. It may be hot and humid, but one can't deny that it’s also the season of delicious, juicy fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, succulent mangoes, seedy falsa berries - you name it! All the healthy gifts of nature are here for you to avail.

During the summer, especially when the humidity rises, it is very important to stay hydrated in order to avoid a heatstroke or unnecessary exhaustion. A lot of sweating decreases the body’s water level resulting in summer ailments. Opting for home-made drinks over packaged and preserved beverages is the way to go!

Some of the well-loved classic desi summer drinks have been enjoyed for generations and are still superbly alluring. Made from fresh fruits, these coolers are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and B6, minerals, dietary fibre, potassium, phosphorus and many micro-nutrients.



Here, I am sharing some simple, healthy, as well as tantalising drinks that won't take much effort to make but will refresh both  your body and spirit. These are dazzling – in looks and in taste.

I hope you will enjoy them fully to quench your summer thirst. Cheers!

1. Watermelon slush

You will need:

Seeded watermelon chunks 3 cups

Lime juice 1/3 cup

Black salt (Kaala namak ¼ tsp

Sugar 1 tsp or to taste

Roasted cumin seed powder ¼ tsp (optional)

Ice cubes



Blend all the above ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture in a container and put it in freezer for 2-3 hours. After the mentioned time, blend the mixture again until it becomes slushy. Pour in glasses and serve immediately.



2. Mango lassi

You will need:

Yoghurt 1 cup

Milk ½ cup

Mango cubes 1 cup

Sugar 4 tsp or to taste

Cardamom powder ¼ tsp (optional)

Ice cubes



Blend all the above ingredients until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve chilled.



3. Sherbet-e-falsa

You will need:

Falsa 2 cups

Sugar ½ cups or to taste

Black salt ½ tsp

Water ½ cup

Ice cubes



Mix all the ingredients and blend them very well. You can add a little more water if you prefer a more dilute drink. After blending, sieve the mixture to discard all the seeds. Add more ice if required and serve chilled.



4. Pineapple shake

You will need:

Pineapple chunks 1 cup

Milk ½ cup

Tutti frutti ice cream 1-2 cups

Sugar 2-3 tsp or to taste

Grounded cinnamon ¼ tsp



In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend them well to get smooth texture. Pour into glasses and enjoy.



5. Raw mango cooler

You will need:

Green mangoes (kairi) 2

Water 41/2 cups

Salt ½ tsp

Sugar 3-4 tbsp or to taste

Mint leaves 3 tbsp

Lemon wedges (optional)

Roasted cumin seed 1 tsp

Ice cubes



In a big pot, pour water enough for boiling mangoes (approximately for 10 minutes). Drain and peel the skin of the mangoes. Scoop out all the flesh. In a blender, add flesh and all the above mentioned ingredients except lemon wedges. In a glass, add some chopped mint leaves and lemon wedges and pour the mango blended mush. Decorate with lemon. Serve chilled.



Some tips:

Instead of sugar you can go for honey or jaggery (gurh).

You can add black pepper along with black salt.

Instead of tutti frutti ice cream, you can use vanilla flavour.

To avoid the breakage of your blender, put large ice pieces into a plastic bag and breakup them into small ones with the help of a roller pin or kitchen hammer.

Have fun staying fresh, hydrated and thus more focused this summer. Try out one of these drinks every day of the week!

PHOTOS: TANVEER KHADIM

Read more by Tanveer here