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Hot summer days often leave you craving for something cold and refreshing, and there can be nothing better than street-style summer drinks. Maybe it’s the clinking of ice, the quick mix of masalas, or the way just a simple drink can suddenly feel like a break from the intense heat. These drinks are not just about taste, but they are also about taking a refreshing pause in the middle of a warm day.
What makes street-style summer drinks amazing is the perfect balance of flavours. A little tangy, a little salty, and slightly sweet, they’re prepared to refresh you instantly.
Recreating these street-style summer drinks at home is easier than it seems. And the best part? Most of them do not require any complicated ingredients or too many fancy tools. With a few basic pantry staples and small tweaks, you can easily get that same street-style taste into your kitchen, minus the long wait and add-on of the extra sugar.
Lemon Shikanji
Lemon shikanji is tangy and more layered than your regular lemonade. The mix of citrus, spice, and salt results in a drink that feels energising in the first sip itself. It not only hydrates, but it also resets the palate. What makes it stand out is that little masala kick, which does not let it taste flat. It’s the kind of drink that quenches your thirst at its best after stepping out in harsh sun, when you require something quick to make, cooling, and lively.
Ingredients: Lemon juice, water, sugar, black salt, roasted cumin powder, mint
How To Make:
In a tall glass, mix fresh lemon juice with some chilled water. To this, add sugar, black salt, and some roasted cumin powder, and stir everything well until the sugar dissolves fully. Lightly crush a few mint leaves and then add them to the glass. Mix it again, adjust the taste if required, and serve over ice for a refreshing finish.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Masala Jaljeera
Jaljeera is not just a drink, but it feels like a quick digestive reset button. The mix of cumin, mint, and tamarind gives the drink a punchy kick that feels both refreshing and a bit intense. It is not too sweet, making it perfect when you want to have something savoury for your palate. Masala jaljeera is perfect for afternoons when your appetite feels low, but you still want to have something full of flavour.
Ingredients: Tamarind pulp, mint leaves, roasted cumin powder, black salt, chilli powder, water
How To Make:
Blend some fresh mint leaves with tamarind pulp, cumin powder, chilli powder, and black salt to make a smooth mixture. Strain this into a jug filled with chilled water, and mix everything well to blend flavours. Taste and adjust the seasoning as per the need. Chill for some time and serve cold with ice for the best results.
Kulukki Sharbat
Kulukki sharbat is like a playful twist to the regular lemonade. The slight heat from green chilli and the fizz from soda make it unexpectedly compelling and surprising for your taste buds. The soaked sabja seeds give the drink texture, making every sip more enjoyable. This is the kind of drink that feels ideal for hot, humid evenings when you want to have something light but also not boring.
Ingredients: Lemon juice, sugar syrup, green chilli, basil seeds (sabja), soda
How To Make:
In a bottle or shaker, simply add lemon juice, sugar syrup, finely chopped green chilli, and some soaked sabja seeds. Shake it well for a few seconds so the flavours mix appropriately. Pour this into a glass and add the chilled soda from the top. Stir it lightly and serve instantly while it’s still fizzy.
Banta / Goli Soda
Banta is simple but never feels bland. The sharp fizz mixed with lemon and salt makes it extremely refreshing without feeling too heavy. It’s one of those drinks that instantly brings nostalgia, particularly because it has a unique serving style. Even at home, it makes it feel like going down memory lane. It is perfect when you want to have something bubbly but not too sweet.
Ingredients: Lemon juice, soda, black salt, sugar (optional)
How To Make:
In a glass, mix some lemon juice with a pinch of black salt and a little sugar. Pour the chilled soda slowly over it to keep the fizz unchanged. Stir everything gently just once, so it doesn’t lose its fizz. Serve instantly while it’s fresh and lively.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Kokum Sharbat
Kokum sharbat stands out because of its more in-depth and slightly tangy flavour that feels naturally chilling. Unlike the citrus drinks, it has a more delicate, acidic and richer taste. It is particularly popular in the coastal regions where the heat is extreme and persistent. This drink feels calming and not too sharp, making it ideal for slow sipping when you want to have something soothing in place of punchy.
Ingredients: Kokum syrup, chilled water, black salt, roasted cumin powder
How To Make:
Take some chilled water in a glass and add kokum syrup to it, and mix well until it liquefies evenly. Add a pinch of black salt and roasted cumin powder for the extra flavour depth. Stir thoroughly, taste, and adjust the seasoning if required. Serve cold with ice for a refreshing experience.
Phalse Ka Sharbat
Phalsa sharbat has a very different taste, slightly tart, a bit sweet, and extremely refreshing. It’s one of those drinks that feels connected to summer in a very natural way. The natural tanginess makes it feel much lighter than most of the other sweet drinks. It is also less typically made at home, which makes it feel a bit special when you do make it fresh.
Ingredients: Phalsa berries, sugar, black salt, water
How To Make:
Wash and mash fresh phalsa berries so that they release their juice. Strain the pulp, remove seeds, and collect the liquid in a jug. Mix this with chilled water, sugar, and a pinch of black salt. Stir everything, then refrigerate for some time before serving cold.
