What to drink in summer?

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  What to Drink in Summers?
  
  Nothing says summer more than nice tasty drinks in the evening. These summer drinks presume at most importance in India where the summers are scorching hot and in some regions the temperature might get shot up to 46 Degrees. Most of us have certain summer drinks we look forward to revisiting each year, drinks that epitomize the sensation of summer. They may evoke happy memories from our childhood like the nimbu paani (lemonade) that you used to have at the stall beside your school.
  
  India has a rich and varied tradition of summer drinks. It has been passed on from generation to generation. Most of them are season-specific, depending on what the seasonal fruits of that month are. They are also region specific with favorites changing from state to state, again determined by the fruits, herbs and vegetables grown locally. There are so many natural ingredients in India which are excellent coolants. But what are the best summer drinks? Here is a list of drinks that you can sip this summer:
  

  
  
• Watermelon juice:
  It is wonderful thirst quencher which contains all the minerals required for the body. It has low sugar which does not disrupt a diet program or increase your weight. It contains magnesium, phosphorus, iron and beta carotene. You can even make ice lollies with watermelon juice. However, avoid using bad quality watermelons as it might upset your stomach.
  

  
  
• Papaya juice:
  It is wonderful digestive aid and can be consumed by everyone. It is great for people with weak digestion, non-vegetarians and for those who need enzyme supplementation to improve the digestion of proteins. It is good for detoxification and for people who want to improve liver function. However, pregnant women should avoid papaya juice in large quantities or taking it regularly.
  

  
  
• Nimbu Paani (lemonade):
  Lemon is a good source of vitamin C. It improves immunity in the summer and is excellent as a thirst quencher due to its cool nature. One should always add a pinch of rock salt and zeera (cumin) powder to enhance its taste. However, drinking concentrated or large quantities of lemon can cause an uncomfortable acid kind of sensation in the stomach.
  

  
  
• Lassi/ Butter Milk (Chaach):
  Very cooling in nature and is available all over the country. It is a good source of calcium, protein and very filling in nature. However, people of certain constitution or blood group may feel uncomfortable with dairy products.
  

  
  
• Panna:
  Panna is one of the most popular drinks on the western coast. It is made with raw mangoes which have a cooling effect on the body.
  

  
  
• Jal zeera (Indian salty cumin lemonade):
  It is a very traditional ayurvedic drink which consists of all the spices which have a cooling effect on the body.
  

  
  
• Rose water:
  Rose water has rose as a base which lowers the aggravated pitta. It can be added to any drink to enhance its aroma and flavour.
  

  
  
• Smoothie:
  A smoothie is a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit and vegetables and frozen yogurt.
  

  
  
• Coconut water:
  It is very refreshing natural drink and takes care of mineral requirement in the summer when the soaring temperatures deplete all the water and salts from the body.
  

  
  
• Khus sherbet:
  Khus (poppy seeds), according to Ayurveda, decreases the temperature of the body and aids in cooling the body. This drink was greatly patronized in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
  

  
  
• Ice tea:
  Though too much of tea is not good for health but a refreshing ice tea in the evening can be very invigorating.
  
  
  
• Thandai:
  It consists of almonds, milk, rose petals all of which have a cooling effect and is absolutely fabulous in taste.
  And finally a little bit of advice; avoid those fizzy, carbonated drinks that you see all around you. Although they are easily accessible, they're just filled with empty calories, artificial sweeteners, colours and flavours which do you no good at all. So get back to natural, homemade and healthy drinks and have a great summer. Cheers!