Raksha Bandhan 2022: Soothe Your Soul With Sharbat

Sharbats are typically consumed during the summers. But seeing how the mercury has risen to unforeseen levels in various parts of India, it is only justified to bring to you cooling concoctions crafted in our very own subcontinent. These sharbats can be made with ingredients already available in your pantry or with a quick visit to the market. There's very little to say about sharbats but the fact that it is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of this country and when the temperatures are soaring, it provides the much needed respite that we do desperately seek. It is always important to keep oneself hydrated in these times and with little effort one can make that process of continually gulping down fluids a fun, delicious and comforting activity all at the same time. Here's 5 sharbat recipes to calm your corporeal as well as spiritual self.

1.  Pudina Nimbu Sharbat

This sharbat will quench your thirst, the pudina or mint leaves will provide the much-needed cooling effect and the Vitamin C in the lime will replenish the electrolytes lost from your body. Adding a sweetener is optional, if you’re using lime, which tends to be more citrusy sour but do not reduce the amount of lime juice as it adds to the sharbat’s overall taste and mouthfeel.

• 30-40 mint leaves
• ½ cup lime juice
• 2 ½ cups of water
• 4 tbsps of honey, optional
• Ice cubes, as required

Method:

• Remove the stems and wash the mint leaves under running tapwater. 
• In a blender, add the washed mint leaves, lime juice, honey, ½ cups of water and blend it well.
• Then add the remaining 2 cups of water and blend well.
• Transfer to the serving glasses, add ice cubes and serve chilled.

2.  Variyali Sharbat

This simple sharbat recipe from Gujarat uses fennel seeds to induce the cooling effect with the added sweetness from crushed cloves and honey to create this oh-so delicious beverage.

• ½ cup powdered fennel seeds
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 4 cups of water
• 2 crushed cloves
• Ice, as required

Method:

• Soak fennel seeds and clove in water overnight.
• Strain the liquid onto a tall glass and add honey.
• Serve with ice.

3.  Badam Sharbat

The delicious and renowned badam sharbat recipe is a must-have. Enriched with healthy fats from the almonds and sweetness from the cardamom and saffron truly brings it home in the form of a thick, hearty sharbat that’ll stick to your moustache if you’re not careful while hurriedly gulping it down.

• 1 cup almonds
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 4 strands of saffron

Method:

To make the badam sharbat syrup-

• Soak the almonds overnight
• Peel the almonds and grind to a fine paste.
• In a saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil.
• Cool it afterwards and pass it through a fine mesh sieve to get a smooth liquid.
• Grind the leftover paste again and mix in with the liquid.
• Cool well and store it in a food-safe bottle for future use.

Mix the syrup with chilled water or milk to make this amazing sharbat.

4.  Bel Ka Sharbat

This amazing bel ka sharbat from our childhood will bring back memories. This recipe is time intensive but very delicious and just the way you’ve had it in the past.

• 500 grams wood apple/ bel
• 1 litre water
• ½ teaspoon roasted cumin
• ½ teaspoon black salt
• 6 teaspoons sugar
• Ice cubes, as required

Method:

• Crush the fruit and extract the pulp into a vessel.
• Add water to it and mash thoroughly with your hand.
• Pass the mashed liquid through a fine mesh sieve and into a jug.
• Mix thoroughly with sugar, salt, and the roasted cumin.
• Pour it in a tall glass over ice cubes and serve.

5.  Rose Lassi

This rose flavoured yogurt drink from Punjab is a refreshing beverage that is pleasantly aromatic with an attractive bright pink colour to it. Move aside strawberry milkshake, our desi lassi will bowl you over!

• 3 cups full fat yogurt
• ½ cup rose syrup
• ½ cup water
• 2 tablespoon sugar

Method:

• Add the ingredients in a blender and blend it till all of it is incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into a pitcher and chill it for an hour.
• Serve it into a tall glass and add ice cubes as garnish.