Weight watchers, guzzle down this chamomile shikanji to beat the heat minus the calories
Image Credit: Love drinking shikanji? Try out this version with chamomile. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

How often has it happened that you walk home after experiencing scorching heat and reach out for a chilled glass of shikanji? Just like you, we are die-hard fans of this desi cooler, but we try to keep away from it, because it’s loaded with sugar. But how about giving your favourite shikanji a twist with chamomile? Yes, you heard it right.

Of course, we’re going to reveal how beneficial this drink is for you, but first, let’s get to the recipe. Here’s how you can make it: 

Ingredients (For a glass):
  • 1 chamomile tea bag
  • 1 lemon
  • 4 peppermint leaves
  • Pinch of rock salt
  • Pinch of cumin powder
  • 150 ml water
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Shaker
  • 4- 5 ice cubes
  • Mint leaves and lemon slices to serve
chamomile shikanji
Kick out dehydration this summer with chamomile shikanji. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
Here’s how you can prepare: 

Step 1: Take warm water in a cup, and dip the chamomile tea bag in it, until it is defused properly. Remove the tea bag, and place it in the fridge to normalise the temperature. You just have to keep it for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Take a mortar and pestle, and crush the mint leaves. 

Step 3: Take a shaker, add crushed mint leaves, lemon juice, rock salt, cumin powder, and honey.

Step 4: Take out the chamomile tea from the fridge, and add it to the shaker. Now, close the lid of the shaker, and shake all the ingredients properly.

Tip: If you don’t have a shaker, stir it normally.

Step 5: Now take a glass, add ice, whole mint leaves, lemon slices, and pour this chamomile shikanji

Step 6: Give it a nice swirl and sip on this refreshing chamomile shikanji, without worrying about those calories. 

chamomile shikanji
Chamomile helps you stay calm. Image Courtesy: Shutterstock
Here’s why chamomile shikanji is the best

Shikanji is not just any other beverage. It helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance of your body, so that you don’t feel fatigued, even when the temperatures touch the roof in the summer season. 

Also, when it’s too hot, we sweat a lot. That’s exactly why you are highly prone to dehydration, due to which you can suffer from:

1. Nausea
2. Headache
3. Fatigue
4. Muscle cramps
5. Fast heart rate
6. Constipations
7. Seizures

That’s why it is very important to maintain this balance. This drink contains salt and honey – both these ingredients are critical to keep your body’s electrolyte balance in check.

chamomile shikanji
If your period cramps are killing you, then chamomile shikanji can be the cure. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The presence of chamomile makes this shikanji more healthy and tasty. Did you know chamomile helps to relax your muscles instantly? Not just that, if you’re having a hard time getting sleep, chamomile can help there too. 

Studies also show drinking chamomile in any form helps in dealing with anxiety. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry, chamomile tea has pain-relieving and antispasmodic properties. So, bye-bye period cramps.