Summer time is one of the best times to enjoy an array of cold beverages which you can sip on through the day – on your own or with company. From beverages that give you a much needed dose of caffeine to beverages that will keep you cool throughout the summer, here are nine non-alcoholic beverages which are great to keep you company through hot days and evenings.
Aam Panna
This raw mango pulp-based cooler is known to be one of the healthiest summer drinks; flavoured with cumin seeds and mint, the aam panna is great to consume during hot afternoons to balance blood sugar levels as well as reduce body heat and dehydration. The slightly sour and tangy flavours are refreshing and can be made in huge batches to serve.
Ingredients
- 1 raw mango
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup jaggery
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 2 teaspoons black salt
- 6-7 fresh mint leaves
Method
- Boil the raw mango in water until softened and peel it before adding the pulp to a food processor.
- Add the jaggery and spice powders, along with the mint and salt and blitz into a thick mixture.
- Cook on a low flame for 10-12 minutes before mixing with a cup of ice cold water and serving.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Image Credits: The Kitchn
One of the most popular forms of iced coffee, the Vietnamese iced coffee is ideal for those who prefer a bitter coffee with a slightly sweet aftertaste. Made with all of three or four ingredients, this caffeinated beverage is perfect to sip on the go or even to wake up to on summer mornings. Add some caramel syrup or cinnamon powder for that extra dose of flavour.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons condensed milk
- 1 cup cold brew
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice, to serve
Method
- Add the condensed milk to a glass and add lots of ice on top.
- Pour over the cold brew and flavour with vanilla extract. Stir well before drinking.
Watermelon Mojito
This fruity summer cooler celebrates the seasonal fruit in one of the most delicious ways possible. Flavoured with mint and lemon juice, this delicious mojito can also be made alcoholic with the addition of some gin or vodka. Freeze the cubes of watermelon as a shortcut replacement to ice and for a smoother texture while sipping.
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen watermelon
- 6-7 mint leaves
- Juice of half lemon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Soda water, to top up
- Ice, to serve
Method
- Add the watermelon to a blender along with the mint, sugar and lemon juice.
- Blend into a smooth puree-like texture and pour into a glass filled with ice. Top up with soda and serve.
Kokum Sherbet
Image Credits: FirstCry Parenting
A staple summer drink in Konkan and Goan homes, the kokum sherbet is made with the petals of the fruit and is known to be an effective coolant against hot tropical summers. It also helps in aiding digestion as well as prevent acidity. Kokum sherbet can be consumed as a digestive post a heavy meal and preventing a sun stroke.
Ingredients
- 1 cup kokum fruit, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- Black salt, to taste
Method
- Grind the kokum fruit along with the cumin powder, cardamom pods and sugar in a blender jar,
- Strain and add to a saucepan and cook for 10 minutes over a low flame, in order to melt the sugar thoroughly. Cool down and mix with lots of chilled water and season with salt before serving.
Watermelon-Rose Cooler
Perfect for combating the rising summer temperatures, this cooling watermelon drink flavoured with rose is easy to whip up for guests or while hosting large groups over. The cooler is also a fun way to enjoy watermelons along with a sweet note of the rose water and sourness from the lemon juice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen watermelon
- 2 teaspoons rose water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 5 mint leaves
- Juice of half lemon
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a blender jar along with lots of ice and blitz into a smooth liquid.
- Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a slice of watermelon before serving cold.
Chocolate Mocha Milkshake
Sometimes, it pays to make the kid in yourself feel happy with an old school milkshake, but with the addition of some coffee for an adult kick. The bittersweet milkshake is great when accompanied by a hefty burger and crisp fries for the ideal cheat day meal. You could also enjoy this with a splash of Kahlua for a sweet ending to your dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon coffee powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Ice, for blending
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a blender jar and blend until you have a smooth, thick liquid.
- Pour into a tall milkshake glass and garnish with some grated chocolate or coffee powder.
Lemon-Mint Slushie
Image Credits: Ally's Kitchen
A cross between a sorbet and an ice cold lemonade, this slushie is simple and quick, when you can’t be bothered to find the patience to pull out ten different kitchen equipments to fix yourself a cold drink. You could make the slushie ahead of time and stick into the freezer, to eat as a sorbet, when the sugar cravings kick in.
Ingredients
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 7-8 fresh mint leaves
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- Ice, for blending
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and grind into a coarse mixture.
- Empty the contents into a glass cup and squeeze some more lemon juice or orange juice on top.
Kulukki Sherbet
A popular street-side summer drink in Kerala, kulukki literally translates to a shaken drink a la cocktail. Typically flavoured with ginger, green chillies and basil seeds, this sweet-spicy-citrusy offering is a frothy variation of a classic lemonade. Other flavours include the additions of fresh fruit like pineapple and mango.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 green chillies, slit lengthwise
- 2 teaspoons basil seeds (sabja)
- ½ cup water
- Ice, for shaking
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well until the mixture turns frothy.
- Strain and pour into a glass and serve chilled.
Mint Coffee
Inspired by the Colombian mint mocha beverage, this delicious mint coffee is surprising when you first take a sip. However, the cooling flavours of fresh mint work perfectly in synchronisation with the bitter-sweet coffee to make a drink that tastes minty, bitter and refreshing all at once. Making mint coffee is a life-changing experience and all we can say is that don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold brew
- 10-12 mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup cream
- Ice, for blending
Method
- Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously to combine the flavours.
- Strain and pour into a glass filled with more ice and serve cold.
