Summer is the season of Pitta. It is the time when your body requires cooling and hydrating drinks to balance Doshas and stay energetic. Although Ayurveda restricts the consumption of ice-cold beverages, it does promote drinks that help lower body temperature while not disrupting the digestive fire.
We all know that the best way to stay cool and hydrated during summers is by drinking water throughout the day. However, there are also many other drinks that Ayurveda suggests including in the summer season. Let’s know what these drinks are!
Best Summer Beverages Suggested by Ayurveda
- Buttermilk
Buttermilk is one of the healthiest summer beverages mentioned in Ayurveda. It is rich in probiotics and electrolytes and therefore helps relieve many digestive disorders.
How To Make Buttermilk?
Take one cup of homemade yoghurt or curd, and add 2-3 cups of water to it. Churn this mixture well for 3-5 minutes and then remove the top buttery foam. Next, add ½ teaspoon of roasted cumin powder and Himalayan salt to taste. Mix all the ingredients well and garnish with cilantro or mint leaves.
- Thandai
You might know Thandai as the drink served during the Indian festivals of Holi and Mahashivratri. This Indian summer beverage is one of the healthiest drinks to boost digestion, replenish energy levels, elevate mood and boost immunity.
How To Make Thandai?
Take 10 peeled almonds, 10 cashews, 10 pistachios, 3 teaspoons of melon seeds, 2 teaspoons of poppy seeds or khus-khus, 2 teaspoons of fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon of peppercorn, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and a few cardamoms. Soak all the ingredients in milk for 4-5 hours.
Next, boil 2 cups of milk and add a few strands of saffron, 2-3 teaspoons of rock sugar, ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder, 2 teaspoons of rose water and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix everything well, and then add the paste into the milk. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes, and then let it cool down. Garnish it with pistachios and saffron to serve.
- Rose Sherbet
Offered as the welcome drink in most Indian households during the summer season, Rose Sherbet is known for its cooling, hydrating, anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties. It is also highly beneficial in treating bloating, hyperacidity, colds and sore throats.
How To Make Rose Sherbet?
Take 3-4 cups of water and add 4 cups of sugar and ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder. Simmer the mixture on medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves and forms a sugar syrup. Let the solution cool down, and then add four teaspoons of organic edible rose essence to it. You can also make the rose water from scratch using fresh rose petals. Next, add 1/4th cup of this solution to 3/4th cup of water or milk.
- Lavender, Fennel and Mint Tea
Lavender is well known to alleviate anxiety and insomnia, fennel seeds help stimulate metabolism, and mint offers respiratory and skin health benefits. The combination of these herbs helps boost digestion and immunity in the body, making them perfect for the scorching summer heat.
How To Make Lavender, Fennel and Mint Tea?
Take ½ teaspoon of lavender, ½ teaspoon of fennel and 1 teaspoon of mint. Add the herbs to 2 cups of water and let it boil for about 5-10 minutes till the water is reduced to half. Then, strain the tea and serve it as you like, hot, cold or at room temperature.
- Sattu Sherbet
In Ayurveda, Sattu is known for its cooling nature. It is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and insoluble dietary fibres that help boost digestion during summers and cool down the body temperature. Since it has a low glycemic index, Sattu drink is also suitable for diabetes patients.
How To Make Sattu Sherbet?
Take 1 glass of water and add 2 teaspoons of Sattu flour, ¼ teaspoon of roasted cumin powder and Himalayan Salt to taste. Squeeze some lime juice and mix all the ingredients well. Garnish it with mint leaves to serve.
- Lemonade
It is no surprise that lemonade is on the list of healthy summer beverages. It is not only a super immune booster but also one of the best detoxifying drinks for the summers.
How To Make Lemonade?
Take 1 cup of water and add ½ teaspoon of lime juice (bitter lime), ¼ teaspoon of cumin powder and Himalayan salt and rock sugar to taste. Mix it all well and garnish with mint leaves and a slice of lime.
- Aam Panna
Aam Panna is a popular Indian summer beverage made with unripe green mangoes. It is best for summers as the micronutrients of Aam Panna help replenish the body’s mineral levels, cool down the temperature and boost digestion.
How To Make Aam Panna?
Take two unripe green mangoes and boil them in water on low heat. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the mangoes cool. Once cooled, peel the mangoes and remove the pulp from the seed. Grind the pulp with enough water and make a thick and smooth paste.
Add unrefined sugar in the ratio of 1:2 (2 parts of sugar to 1 part of pulp). Simmer the pulp mixture again till the sugar dissolves completely. Keep stirring the pulp in between to avoid burning it. Let the mixture cool down, and then add two tablespoons of the pulp mixture to one cup of water. You may also add roasted cumin powder and Himalayan salt for added flavours.
The Final Takeaway
Prevent Pitta aggravation and cool down your body temperature in the summers with these Ayurvedic summer beverages. These drinks not only provide a cooling effect to your body but also boost digestion and immunity in the summer season.
