As temperatures begin to soar high across India, food habits tend to take a shift toward ingredients that feel lighter, fresher and more relaxing. Apart from the typical summer-specific ingredients, one traditional ingredient that deserves much attention this time is gulkand. Prepared by slowly preserving scented rose petals with some sugar, gulkand is a glossy, jam-like mixture that is loved for its floral fragrance and also the sweet taste. It has long been used in Indian homes as a mouth freshener after meals, in paan, milk-based drinks and also in cooling desserts.
A good gulkand tastes rich, rosy and a bit sticky, with petals softened into an aromatic preserve. During the hot summer season, many people appreciate it because it feels relaxing and refreshing. It can also turn ordinary milk, lemonade or yoghurt-based drinks into something more flavourful.
Benefits Of Having Gulkand In Summer
Gulkand, in Ayurveda, is considered “sheetal,” which means cooling in nature, which is why it is commonly added to milk, lassi, or sharbat when the sun feels intense. Beyond just the taste, it gives a light aroma and quick refreshment to everyday sips without any cooking, making it an easy, time-tested element for summer comfort at home.
Because it mixes easily in cold milk, water, or just the curd-based drinks, gulkand evolves as a useful ingredient for quick hydration-style drinks. It is often used in lassi or sharbat to improve the mouthfeel and add light sweetness, making plain drinks feel more satisfying without any heavy preparation.
Gulkand is prepared by slowly preserving rose petals in sugar, letting natural floral oils infuse into the mixture. Unlike refined sugar, it does not just sweeten, but it layers fragrance with taste.
Drinks To Make Using Gulkand
Here are some gulkand-based drinks that you can try to cool down your body when the summer feels intense:
Gulkand Milk Cooler
This is a classic and comforting summer drink that tastes light, rosy and lightly sweet. It feels like a dessert and also a cooler in one go. Serve it chilled after lunch or in the evening when the day still feels warm.
Ingredients
1 tbsp gulkand
1 glass chilled milk
4 ice cubes
4 pistachios, chopped
How To Make
In a blender, add chilled milk and gulkand and blend for a few seconds until the gulkand dissolves and the drink appears to be frothy. Pour this into a tall glass over ice cubes and garnish with some chopped pistachios, and serve cold.
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Gulkand Lassi
This drink is thick, creamy and a bit tangy, which is balanced beautifully by the floral sweetness of gulkand. It is filling enough to have as a light evening snack.
Ingredients
1 cup curd
1 tbsp gulkand
1/4 cup cold water
Ice cubes
How To Make
First, whisk the curd so that it becomes smooth and lump-free. Now, add gulkand and cold water to it, then blend again until it turns light and airy. Pour this into a chilled glass, add ice cubes, and serve fresh.
Rose Lemon Gulkand Sharbat
Bright lemon and sweet rose make a cheerful combination. This one tastes refreshing, aromatic and less heavy than other milk-based drinks, perfect to have on a very hot afternoon.
Ingredients
1 tbsp gulkand
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 glass of cold water
Ice cubes
Mint leaves
How To Make
Mix gulkand with two tablespoons of warm water first so that it loosens. Now, stir until it makes a rosy syrup. Once it has turned syrupy, add cold water, lemon juice and ice cubes to this. Lastly, garnish with mint leaves before you serve.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Gulkand Falooda Shake
If you like to have something indulgent, gulkand falooda shake is the best. Rich milk, basil seeds and gulkand make for a festive treat that feels like a summer food celebration.
Ingredients
1 glass chilled milk
1 tbsp gulkand
1 tsp soaked basil seeds
2 tbsp cooked falooda sev
How To Make
Stir gulkand into chilled milk until it is fully mixed. Now, add soaked basil seeds and cooked falooda sev to the glass. Mix everything gently so that the layers are visible. Serve instantly while it's still cold.
Gulkand Badam Drink
This drink tastes nutty, creamy and sumptuous in every sip. Almonds give it a body, whereas gulkand gives fragrance and sweetness.
Ingredients
1 glass chilled milk
6 soaked almonds
1 tbsp gulkand
Ice cubes
How To Make
Peel the soaked almonds and then add them to a blender with chilled milk and a spoonful of gulkand. Blend it until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass over ice cubes and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.