It's Summer!!! It proclaims its arrival with wonderful notes of Chirping birds & Buzzing Bees lingering around the Summer Fruit yielding trees to devour the Fruits. Houseflies loitering behind Mangoes & Jackfruit. The air gets heavy with humidity, comes along slight rustling of dry leaves from a mild breeze & evening showers at times. Along with Summer comes School Holidays commonly called Summer Holidays, Regional New Year, the arrival of relatives or some years go around with trips to your relative's homes. Some go ahead with the ritualistic Summer Vacation Plans.
The emanating heat from the rise of temperature and way far a step ahead comes the Agni-nakshathram to finish off the Season. The heat makes us all run helter-skelter in search of some source to cool down own body and system. Our ancestors have had their own way to tackle the seasons, maybe Summer or Winter the food and regime followed by them were so much down to earth. They lived a life so close to nature that their lifestyle was precisely healthy - sticking on to the rule
"FOOD AS MEDICINE".
Beat the heat, beat the heat - a mind voice repeatedly insists, finding a way to soothe the scorching heat. Most of us come up with ritualistic Summer Food and Drinks which helps to cool down and hydrate our body system. I have tried to comprise some of the best Juices & Smoothies made from Fresh Fruits and Drinks which are suitable to be catered for Summer. The overall idea is to keep your body cool and well hydrated during Summer.
BUTTERMILK
Buttermilk is a versatile ingredient and is used in various dishes & drinks for its taste & flavour. Buttermilk is one best drink to beat the Summer heat. The very nature of Buttermilk along with its probiotics soothes your stomach and also helps to cut down the body heat. Buttermilk otherwise called as Moru/Mor/Majjige in South Indian languages is converted into flavoured drinks in the name of Neer Mor/
Sambharam/Masala Majjige/Chaas etc., It is the same drink prepared with diluted
Curd/Yogurt or Buttermilk flavoured with regional preferences.
For detailed Recipe on
HOW TO MAKE CURD/YOGURT, Click here...
NEERAGARAM/PAZHAYA SADHAM/PAZHANKANJI
Pazhankanji/Pazhaya Sadham/Neeragaram all are the names given to a simple but nutritious dish prepared with soaked and fermented left-over Rice - providing us with Nutrition, Health & Strength. It is made by adding few cups of Water to cooked Rice and leaving it aside overnight which facilitates mild fermentation, dramatically changing the flavour, taste and significantly increasing the nutritious value. Adding a Cup of thick
Curd/Yogurt & Salt to this humble dish enhances the overall nature, taste & nutrition of the dish. Simply add some crushed Shallots and Kanthari Mulagu(Bird's-eye Chillies), there you get the flavours of the seasonings along with added health benefits of the ingredients. It is one best drink which will instantly cool your system. Best for Breakfast or as a drink.
SAMBHARAM/SPICED BUTTERMILK/NEER MORU
Sambharam/Neer Mor/ Masala Majjige /Chaas is one drink traditionally served in an Indian household as a Drink or had along with rice to finish off the meal. Sambharam/Pacha Moru/ Morum Vellam/Nadan Moru - are all colloquial names for Spiced Butter Milk drink in 'GODS OWN COUNTRY - KERALA'. Yogurt/Curd is churned using a Thayir Mathu/beaten finely in a blender along with Green Chillies, Ginger, Curry Leaves & Lemon Leaves. The herbs add an extraordinary flavour to the drink giving an overall refreshing feel and instantly cools down our body.
It is a common practice in a South Indian household to serve Sambharam/Neer Moru when somebody comes home during hot weather.
It is a cool and energizing drink for hot summer days. Sambharam
is a famous drink and also an unavoidable part of 'KERALA SADHYA'. It is commonly served at the end of the meal/banquet. It helps you to feel refreshed after a heavy meal and aids digestion too.
LASSI - SWEET PUNJABI LASSI
Lassi - Sweet Punjabi Lassi is a pride of Punjabi Cuisine and a wonderful drink to beat the Summer heat. It is a
Curd/Yogurt based Smooth, Creamy and Sweet drink traditionally served in tall Punjabi Glasses or in Matkas(Earthern pots). The results of a tall glass of cool, creamy and sweet Lassi is so instantaneous that it cools your body system immediately, refreshing and rejuvenating your senses. Lassi -creamy, sweet and slightly sour, sometimes salty, sometimes subtly spiced, this drink is utterly refreshing to the core. Another advantage of drinking a Sweet Punjabi Lassi is that it happily falls under the category of a dessert masquerading as a drink.
MANGO LASSI
Yet another refreshing drink for Summer, prepared with ripe Mangoes,
Curd/Yogurt and Milk. With the richness of traditional Lassi comes along the flavour of Summer - Mangoes. Mango Lassi is a delicious combination of a Milk Shake and a Smoothie with an authentic Indian touch. Some recipes call for adding a pinch of Cardamom or Saffron to enhance the flavour of the drink. Mango Lassi is one best way to enjoy the seasonal fruit. Serve it as a refreshing drink to quench your thirst during sweltering Summer days or as a Dessert to wash out the spicy dishes.
BADAM MILK
Badam Milk/Badam Doodh is nothing but a flavoured drink prepared with blanched Almonds ground into a fine paste, mixed along with Milk & Sugar, flavoured with Cardamoms and Saffron. Indian drinks were prepared and served specifically to soothe your body according to the prevailing climatic conditions. Drinks with cooling effects were served during Summers and with heating effects were served during winters. Almonds/Badam with their skin has a heating effect on our body. If the drink is prepared for Cooling purpose, then soak the nuts in cold water for 8-10 hours or overnight and prepare the Badam Milk. Soaking them in cold water and blanching them brings out the cooling properties, increases digestibility and their nutritional values.
THANDAI
Thandai ठंडाई is a special drink synonymous to Holi - an exquisite drink
prepared with Milk & loads of Nuts, Rose Petals, Saffron Strands
with a delicate note of spices in it. Thandai takes the festive fervour
to another level. Thandai is one favourite drink which comes into the
limelight during Holi and it is India's favourite drink to welcome the upcoming Summer.
RAGI HEALTH DRINK
Ragi Malt or Ragi Koozh is a popular health drink made in most parts of South India. It is one of the best drinks which can hydrate your body and cool down your system. It is commonly prepared with powdered Ragi grain, alternatively can soak the Ragi grain overnight or for at least 8-10 Hours and grind it into a paste, then prepare the same drink. There are different methods and versions of preparing the same drink. Can add Milk/
Buttermilk/
Curd/Yogurt to Ragi Drink to make it tastier and healthier. Ragi health drink is a perfect drink not only during summers but it also suitable all the year through.
BARLEY DRINK
Barley drink is one best homemade drink to keep your body cool and beat the internal heat. Barley is a cereal grain, white in colour when hulled, a monocotyledon in the shape and colour of a pearl. So it is commonly called as Barley Pearls. As Barley has high soluble fibre, it helps in reducing Cholesterol and Blood Glucose Level. It is also a powerful Diuretic, which proves beneficial in keeping your body cool and benefits a healthy Kidney function too. Barley also helps detoxify our body in a natural way.
FRESH FRUIT JUICE/SMOOTHIES
WATERMELON JUICE
Fruits like Watermelons with rich water content are readily available in the market during Summers. Water-rich fruits hydrate your body and help to cool down your body heat. Let's have some cool water filled Watermelons to beat the summer heat. How do you like them- a Big Luscious Slice of Watermelon or a Glass of chilled Watermelon Juice? Both ways it is one of the best ways to quench your thirst without any guilt of added calories.
HONEYDEW MELON SMOOTHIE
Honeydew Melons are sweet and creamy melons with a wonderful note of fragrance. This Honeydew Melon Smoothie is a quick fix drink, comfortable and refreshing. The natural sweetness of these Melons serves best to be served as an after meal fruit and when it is in the form of a dessert or a smoothie it would be more perfect. Honeydew Melons has rich water content and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. It is also a good source of Potassium and also helps to maintain the fluid balance in the body.
SUNDEW MELON SMOOTHIE
This Sundew Melon Smoothie is a quick fix drink, comfortable and refreshing. The natural sweetness of these Melons serves best to be served as an after meal fruit and when it is in the form of a dessert or a smoothie it would be more perfect. Sundew Melons has rich water content and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. It is also a good source of Potassium and also helps to maintain the fluid balance in the body. Drinking juices prepared from fresh fruit which has high water content helps to balance the fluid loss in the body during Summers.
SOURSOP SMOOTHIE
Fruit Milkshakes/Smoothies, Batidos or Liquados are popular drinks served all over the world, made by blending fresh fruit with ice, milk and sugar. Eating Fruits and Vegetables is a preferred way makes it more comfortable and refreshing and when it is in the form of a dessert or a smoothie it would be more perfect. Soursop Smoothie is a delicious fruit smoothie that comes together in minutes.
MANGO SMOOTHIE
Mangoes are one versatile fruit which can be converted into delicious smoothies or desserts. The soft pulp of the fruit is used for preparing beverages, desserts, smoothies, and candy, as well as it is loaded with a wealth of traditional medical treatments that are used in many parts of the world.
APPLE, PEAR, BANANA SMOOTHIE
Apple, Pear, Banana Smoothie is a wonderful combination of fruits converted into a delicious and refreshing drink. I have sweetened this Smoothie with Dates & Honey. It is an easy smoothie recipe and all the more it is a completely satisfying & delicious drink which suits best to be served for Breakfast. Smoothies with combinations of Fruits makes it a wonderful drink with notes and flavours from each fruit with combined benefits of all the fruits. Apple, Pear, Banana Smoothie is a tasty and nutritious way to start your day.
POMEGRANATE JUICE
Eating the Pomegranate Arils or drinking it as a Juice, both ways the fruit proves to be beneficial. It is one fruit which is equally good as a fruit and the juice. The reason being the peel contains the maximum amount of antioxidants when juiced releases most of its nutrients. Some find it difficult to deal with the little seeds, which makes juicing the fruit the best way to consume it. All the more drinking Pomegranate Juice allows for quick and easy assimilation of nutrients into the bloodstream.
Pomegranates are loaded with nutrients and has innumerable health benefits. It is a great source of Antioxidants & has a rich source of Vitamin A, C and E. It is also loaded with Minerals such as Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Iron, Folic Acid, Niacin, Thiamin, Folates and Riboflavin.
ILANEER NANNARI SARBATH
Ilaneer Nannari Sarbath is a cool & refreshing combination of Tender Coconut Water, a syrup made from a cooling natured herb Nannari/Sarsaparilla and Lemon, served with Tender Coconut shavings for a more comforting and refreshing feel. This is a wonderful drink with a perfect combination of taste, flavour, aroma and above all, it cools down your body heat.
GREEN APPLE JUICE WITH HONEY, LEMON & GINGER
This is a wonderful and all the more a detoxifying fruit juice prepared with Green Apples along with Ginger and Lemon. I usually sweeten this drink with honey. Combined together the ingredients which go into this drink helps boost immunity, aids digestion, increase your energy levels and detoxifies your body. Green Apple Juice helps to get rid of Toxins and harmful elements from your liver, kidney and digestive system. Though this drink might be a simple recipe, it comes with a punch. The flavours combine for a sweet-tart concoction that hits your taste buds with a spicy kick from Ginger.
VIRGIN PINA COLADA
V
irgin Piña Colada - A simple mocktail recipe, creamy, refreshing and all the more non-alcoholic. It's a sip of paradise in every glass which will surely help you dream yourself sitting under a shady palm tree on a beach, relaxing to the monotonous sound of the waves. An absolute sneak-in for a party - Virgin Pina Colada is so rich and tasty that you won't even miss the alcohol.
This Virgin Piña Colada is a mocktail recipe & one of the easiest drink you can ever make. It’s literally a few chunks of Pineapple and cream of Coconut (Coconut Milk), two distinct and uniquely flavoured ingredients when combined together that they complement with each other so perfectly. Throw the ingredients into a blender along with few ice cubes, blend it up into a smooth, rich and creamy drink. The traditional
Piña Colada is garnished with either a Pineapple Wedge, a Maraschino Cherry, or both. Follow your whims and fancy to garnish your
Piña Colada, add a small paper umbrella to make it look fancier.
TOMATO JUICE
Tomato Juice prepared from fresh Tomatoes is a wonderful drink and it is power-packed with nutrition and a wide range of health benefits. Above all, it cut down your calorie intake and help you create that calorie deficit required to lose weight. Drink Tomato Juice as a beverage or convert it into a wide range of Cocktail.
GRAPE JUICE
It’s very easy to make fresh grape juice at home, no peeling, coring, de-seeding, etc., Just blend the grapes with water in a blender, strain the juice and there you go with a wonderfully refreshing Grape Juice. You don't even need fancy Juicers for the purpose, you can get the job done using a simple blender. Along with loads of health benefits, this homemade Grape Juice is an absolute refreshing drink.
APPLE SMOOTHIE
Apple Smoothie is an absolute bliss to taste buds, a delicious way to treat yourself in the morning.
is a tasty and nutritious way to start your day. It will help you feel
fuller and all the more it is a guilt-free drink less in Calories.
This kids-friendly fresh fruit smoothie recipe is a simple blend of
Apple, Dates, Milk, Almond and Honey. This is a quick fix drink,
comfortable and refreshing. The natural sweetness of this fruit serves
best to be served as an after-meal fruit and when it is in the form of a
dessert or a smoothie it would be more perfect. Apple Smoothie I have
used a Red Apple and have sweetened the Smoothie with Dates and Honey.
I usually use Milk in my smoothie recipes, can substitute Milk with
Almond Milk/Yogurt too.
CARROT JUICE
Carrot Juice is an easy recipe which can be blended up within
minutes in a mixer/juicer. The best way to consume Carrots is to have
them raw. So Juicing is one best way and you even don't have to worry
about losing the nutrients from it.
STRAWBERRY MILK SHAKE
This Strawberry Milkshake tastes like pure Strawberry, with a natural
taste not too sweet & not too milky. This Milkshake is loaded with
Strawberries and Strawberry Ice Cream to give a creamy, thick & pink
coloured treat.
PINEAPPLE JUICE
Homemade
Pineapple Juice – refreshingly
sweet, a bit tangy with just the right amount of tartness made from real
fresh pineapples. Easy, simple and loaded with tons of nutrients in
every glass. A glass of Pineapple juice is fit enough to serve you with
an essential dose of Vitamin C for a day. A delicious tropical delight,
which can boost your immunity & also can suppress inflammation.
PANAGAM - TRADITIONAL SOUTH INDIAN REFRESHING DRINK
Panagam is a natural coolant and it helps to get our body hydrated. This drink is absolutely not limited to be prepared as a Prasadham. It is a totally refreshing drink which can be easily made to quench your thirst on a hot day.
Almost all the ingredients in Panagam has health benefits which makes this a totally wonderful and refreshing drink suitable for all Seasons.
So enjoy the Summer by keeping yourself healthy, fit and hydrated. Beat the Summer heat naturally with the above drinks and juices.
