Top 3 Traditional Indian Drinks to Beat the Heat

In my previous food article, I have stated recipes of some starters and drinks of Rajasthan. Now, as the temperature have increased a few degrees since then, some refreshing drinks will be ideal at this moment. What do you think? I guess all of us are now opting for a cool beverage, especially at the afternoon. In a hot a humid day, nothing is more lucrative than a traditional Indian cool drink. Here is a list of common 3 with a little twist.

 Sugarcane Juice with a Hint of Ginger

 

What is the most popular juice in India? Any guesses? Beyond doubt, it is sugarcane juice. Irrespective of big and small, you can find a sugarcane juice stall on the roadside of every Indian city. A hand-driven juicer machine extracts sugarcane juice there from dawn to dusk. People enjoy the fresh juice with a pinch of salt, a drop of lime juice and lots of crushed ice. This is really refreshing. Now, here is a recipe of that traditional sugarcane juice with a little spice.

 Recipe:

 Ingredients:

3-4 glass sugarcane juice

1 tbsp.  Ginger juice

4 tbsp. Sugar

1 tsp. lime juice

 Procedure:

Pour all the ingredients in a container and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Put the container in the refrigerator and let it set for 2-3 hours.

After 2-3 hours take it out and put the mixture, now in a slightly thick consistency, in a blender and blend it for a second.

Serve chilled.

 Tips:

Handle the sugarcane juice as quickly as possible because air and heat tend to discolor it and makes it rotten quickly.

 Cardamom Lassi

Lassi is another common as well as popular drink in India. We all love it and have it in various forms. Here is one variety that is little spicy than the usual one.

 Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups thick curd

½ tsp. cardamom powder

6 tbsp. powder sugar (You may take plain sugar, but that takes a little more time to dissolve)

1 pinch of salt

½ tsp. black pepper powder, previously powdered pepper powder would be fine, but freshly crushed black pepper would give it an extra punch.

 For decoration

Pistachio and almonds

 Procedure

Pour the curds, sugar, cardamom powder, salt and pepper powder in a blender. Blend it till well mixed.

Put it in the refrigerator for one hour

Pour the chilled lassi into 4 glasses and decorate with Pistachio and almonds

Serve chilled

 Watermelon Juice

This one is my personal favorite. Watermelon is a great source of vitamin c. This fresh drink will give you instant energy in a hot and humid day.

 Recipe:

 Ingredients:

Half of a big watermelon or a full in case, it is small

Cut the watermelon into small pieces and take out the seeds

5 tbsp. sugar

1 tbsp.  Curds

 Procedure

Pour watermelon, sugar and curds in a blender and blend it well till there are no lumps.

Place the mixture in refrigerator for 2 hours

Take it out and put it into 5 glasses

Decorate with pieces of watermelon and if you love delicacy then add some ice cube in it.

Serve chilled.