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Top 10 Drinks in Summer there’s nothing better than a refreshing drink to cool your body and boost your mood when the summer sun is shining. However, choosing drinks that replenish, rehydrate, and occasionally even nourish is more important for staying hydrated in the heat than simply reaching for any cold beverage. Summertime beverages can be tasty, nutritious, and hydrating all at once, whether they are traditional Indian coolers or contemporary takes on time-honored favorites.
The top 10 drinks in summer time beverages that are ideal for surviving the heat will be discussed in this article. We’ll explore their components, advantages, and history while providing advice on how to prepare them at home. We have what you’re looking for, whether it’s tangy, sweet, or high in probiotics.
Here are the top 10 drinks in summer to keep you cool
1. Lemon Water
A simple yet effective summertime beverage, lemon water (also called nimbu pani) is made by combining fresh lemon juice with water, sugar, and salt. It is a natural thirst quencher that aids in replenishing lost electrolytes and rehydrating the body, particularly after perspiring in the heat. Packed with vitamin C, it helps with digestion and strengthens immunity. Its digestive benefits and flavor can be enhanced by adding roasted cumin or a pinch of black salt. Lemon water is a popular summertime beverage in many Indian homes because it is refreshing and simple to make, providing vital nutrients and cooling relief with each sip.
Why it works: Easy, fast, and high in vitamin C.
Ingredients: Water, salt, sugar, fresh lemon juice, and occasionally a dash of mint or cumin.
Advantages for health:
- Replenishes the body’s fluids
- Maintains electrolyte balance
- Improves immunity and digestion
Expert advice: Add some ginger juice or basil leaves for an invigorating twist. This homemade energy drink is a great substitute for store-bought ones.
2. Coconut Water
Young green coconuts are the natural source of coconut water, a refreshing beverage. It is a great option for rehydrating on hot summer days because it is loaded with vital electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. It is a healthier substitute for many packaged beverages because it is low in calories and sugar. In addition to reducing thirst, coconut water aids in digestion and preserves the body’s fluid balance. It tastes good on its own or mixed into smoothies because of its subtle sweetness and nutty flavor. It’s nature’s ideal energy drink for staying cool and energized during hot weather when consumed fresh.
Nature’s electrolyte drink: Why it works
It contains 100% natural coconut water that is extracted directly from green coconuts.
Advantages for health:
- Replenishes depleted minerals and salts
- High in potassium and low in calories
- Easy on the stomach
Were you aware? Because coconut water is sterile and resembles plasma, it was used for emergency intravenous hydration during World War II.
3. Aam Panna
Aam Panna, a traditional summertime Indian beverage made from raw mangoes, is praised for both its cooling qualities and tangy flavor. It is made by boiling or roasting unripe mangoes and then mixing the pulp with sugar, jaggery, black salt, cumin, and mint to make a tasty and reviving drink. Because it keeps the body hydrated and helps prevent heatstroke, aam panna is particularly well-liked in North India during the hottest summer months. Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, it also helps with digestion and increases vitality. This green-hued beverage is a natural cure for summertime fatigue and a tasty treat when served cold.
Why it works: Blends cooling herbs with tanginess.
Ingredients: Jaggery or sugar, roasted cumin, mint, raw mango pulp, and black salt.
Advantages for health:
- Avoids heatstroke
- Facilitates digestion
- Serves as a coolant naturally.
Fun fact: Aam Panna, which is frequently prepared in big quantities and kept in bottles, is a summertime household staple in some regions of North India.
4. Jaljeera
Known for its strong flavors and digestive advantages, Jaljeera is a tangy, spicy Indian summer beverage. This refreshing, mildly spicy beverage, which is made with a blend of cumin, black salt, dry mango powder, mint leaves, tamarind, and lemon juice, cools the body and increases appetite. A popular post-meal beverage or refreshing beverage in hot weather, jaljeera is frequently served cold and occasionally topped with crunchy boondi (crispy chickpea pearls). It is known to relieve indigestion and bloating in addition to being refreshing. Jaljeera is more than just a beverage; each sip delivers a tasty explosion of traditional Indian spices.
Why it works: Spicy, tangy, and ideal for a post-heavy meal.
Ingredients: water, lemon juice, black salt, cumin, mint, and tamarind.
Advantages for health:
- Increases appetite
- Helps fight bloating and indigestion.
- Serves as a gentle detoxifier.
Pro tip: For extra crunch, sprinkle some boondi (crispy chickpea pearls) on top and serve cold.
5. Buttermilk
A light, refreshing beverage, buttermilk (called chaas in many parts of India) is made by diluting yogurt with water and mixing it with fresh herbs like mint or coriander, salt, and spices like ginger and roasted cumin. Its hydrating qualities and digestive advantages make it a classic summertime favorite, particularly in rural areas. Buttermilk, which is high in probiotics, helps maintain gut health, reduces acidity, and keeps the body cool in hot weather. It is a healthy substitute for sugary drinks because it is low in calories and fat. When served cold, it’s the ideal way to naturally combat the summer heat after meals or as a midday refresher.
Why it works: It’s easy on the stomach, probiotic, and cooling.
Ingredients: Salt, roasted cumin, ginger, mint, and diluted curd (yogurt).
Advantages for health:
- Facilitates digestion
- Packed with probiotics
- Hydrates without feeling heavy.
Case study: According to a 2021 study that was published in the Indian Journal of Nutrition, agricultural workers’ risk of experiencing fatigue from dehydration was considerably decreased when they consumed buttermilk every day during the summer.
6. Sugarcane Juice
Fresh sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract sugarcane juice, a naturally sweet and invigorating summer beverage. It is perfect for hot days because it is high in natural sugars, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which give you a quick energy boost and help you replace electrolytes that you’ve lost. In addition to being refreshing, it also promotes liver health and facilitates digestion. It is frequently served with a dash of lemon and a hint of mint or ginger. Sugarcane juice, which is alkaline by nature, can also lessen fatigue and acidity. To maintain its nutritional value and guarantee safety, it is best to eat it fresh from sanitary, clean suppliers.
Why it works: It’s natural, sweet, and full of energy.
- Ingredients: Freshly squeezed sugarcane stalk juice, frequently flavored with mint and lemon.
Advantages for health:
- Natural energy enhancer
- Combats fatigue
- Maintains liver health
Important: To prevent contamination, always eat it fresh and prepared hygienically.
7. Iced Herbal Tea with Lemongrass, Hibiscus, and Mint
A refreshing, caffeine-free summer beverage that combines refreshment and well-being is iced herbal tea with lemongrass, hibiscus, and mint. Mint provides a cooling, soothing effect, hibiscus adds a bright red hue and tart flavor full of antioxidants, and lemongrass adds a citrusy scent and helps with digestion. These herbs work together to make a naturally energizing tea that promotes detoxification, lowers body temperature, and even lowers blood pressure. This tea is tasty and beneficial to your health when it is brewed hot and served cold over ice. Light, hydrating, and simple to make, it’s the ideal option for maintaining energy and freshness throughout the long summer days.
Why it functions: Aromatic, light, and free of caffeine.
Ingredients: Honey, lemongrass, hibiscus petals, mint, and brewed herbs.
Advantages for health:
- Reduces body temperature
- Packed with antioxidants
- Calms the digestive tract
Expert advice: Studies have shown that herbal teas, such as hibiscus, can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
8. Smoothies with Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit smoothies are a tasty and healthy way to stay hydrated and invigorated throughout the summer. They provide a rich blend of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants and are made by combining seasonal fruits such as watermelon, berries, bananas, and mangoes with milk, yogurt, or plant-based substitutes. Smoothies are a fantastic choice for breakfast or a midday snack because they are naturally hydrating and filling. Add-ins like chia seeds, honey, oats, or nuts can improve their taste and nutritional value. They not only help with digestion, increase immunity, and keep you feeling refreshed, but they also satisfy your sweet tooth without using refined sugar.
It’s tasty and full of nutrients, which is why it works.
Ingredients: Yogurt or plant milk, honey, ice, and seasonal fruits (mango, watermelon, and berries).
Advantages for health:
- Excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber
- Keeps you full without requiring large meals.
- Delicious and hydrating
Always use ripe fruits when making smoothies. Combine mango, pineapple, and coconut water to make a tropical punch.
9. Sharbat Sattu
A classic and incredibly nourishing summertime beverage, Sattu Sharbat is made with roasted gram flour (sattu), water, lemon juice, and a dash of cumin or black salt. It is native to Eastern India and Bihar and is well-known for its cooling properties as well as its capacity to maintain the body’s energy and hydration, particularly during intense heat. Because sattu is high in protein, fiber, and vital minerals, this beverage is satisfying and revitalizing. It helps avoid fatigue and dehydration and is frequently taken before going outside in the sun. Sattu Sharbat is a natural, cost-effective, and healthful way to combat the summer heat. It is straightforward but effective.
Why it works: It’s traditional, satisfying, and high in protein.
Ingredients: water, salt, lemon juice, roasted gram flour (sattu), and occasionally jaggery.
Advantages for health:
- Great plant-based protein source
- For hours, it keeps the body cool.
- promotes intestinal health
Drinking it before heading outside is common in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
10. Watermelon Juice
One of the most hydrating and refreshing summertime beverages is watermelon juice, which is made by blending fresh watermelon chunks and frequently flavored with a dash of lemon juice or mint. Watermelon juice is a great way to avoid dehydration on hot days because it contains more than 90% water. It is naturally sweet, low in calories, and high in antioxidants like lycopene, which lowers inflammation and promotes heart health, as well as vitamins A and C. Watermelon juice is ideal for people of all ages because it is light on the stomach and easy to digest. It’s an easy and tasty way to stay hydrated and nourished during the summer months when served cold.
Why it works: 90% water and naturally sweet.
Ingredients: Chunks of fresh watermelon mixed with a little lemon or mint.
Advantages for health:
- Avoids dehydration
- lessens inflammation
- Packed with lycopene, a potent antioxidant
Pro tip: If you want a smoother texture, strain the juice. For a savory twist, sprinkle with a little black salt.
Why Staying Hydrated Is More Important in the Summer
Not only can dehydration cause thirst, but it can also cause headaches, exhaustion, dry skin, lightheadedness, and even severe heatstroke. The National Institute of Hydration and Health states that during the summer, people in tropical regions should try to consume 2.5 to 3 liters of fluids every day. However, not all liquids are made equal; sugary or caffeine-filled beverages can cause you to become even more dehydrated. These naturally hydrating summer drinks can help with that.
Final Thoughts
Enjoying some of nature’s most refreshing offerings during the summer doesn’t have to mean fighting the heat. These beverages provide a nutritious way to stay hydrated, cool, and invigorated whether you’re working outside, relaxing at home, or traveling. Their simplicity is their beauty; the majority can be prepared at home using ingredients that are readily available, and each sip offers both flavor and health benefits.
Pour yourself one of these classic summer coolers instead of a soda the next time the temperature rises. Both your taste buds and your body will appreciate it.
FAQs
Q-1. Why are natural summer drinks better than packaged cold beverages?
Ans. Natural beverages without added sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives include aam panna hydrate, lemon water, and coconut water. They support improved health in hot weather by supplying vital nutrients and electrolytes.
Q-2. Can these summer drinks help prevent dehydration?
Ans. Yes. Drinks like coconut water, buttermilk, and sugarcane juice are rich in electrolytes, which help replenish lost salts and fluids, reducing the risk of dehydration.
Q-3. Do these drinks help in weight management?
Ans. Numerous nutrient-dense, low-calorie natural summer beverages are excellent choices for staying hydrated without consuming too many calories. For instance, buttermilk and lemon water are frequently suggested in diets aimed at reducing body weight.
Q-4. How important is training or hygiene when preparing summer drinks like sugarcane juice?
Ans. Very, very important! Make sure all ingredients are fresh, utensils are clean, and drinks are made in sanitary conditions to prevent contamination, particularly for raw juices like sugarcane.
Q-5. Are there any side effects?
Ans. These natural beverages are generally safe. Before experimenting with new ingredients, people with certain medical conditions or allergies (such as to dairy or particular fruits) should speak with their doctor.
