Top 10 Indian Summer Drinks

From gut-friendly pro-biotics to cooling Ayurvedic herbs, here are the top 10 Indian summer drinks you need to try this season to beat the heat.

Hailing from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Sattu is a powerhouse drink made from roasted chickpea flour. It’s loaded with protein, cools the body instantly, and keeps you full for hours. You can make it savory with roasted cumin and mint, or sweet with jaggery.

Traditionally associated with festivals like Holi and Mahashivratri, Thandai is a luxurious blend of milk, nuts, and seeds. Ingredients like almonds, fennel seeds, melon seeds, and rose petals give it a naturally cooling property that calms the system.

Popular along the Konkan coast, Kokum Sharbat is made from the deep red Garcinia indica fruit. It has a beautiful sweet-and-tangy flavor and is a fantastic natural remedy for acidity and sunstrokes.

There is nothing quite like a cold glass of spiced buttermilk after a heavy summer lunch. Made by thinning down yogurt and blending it with ginger, green chilies, cilantro, and black salt, Chaas is the ultimate aid for digestion.

The quintessential Indian classic. Whether you prefer it sweet, salted, or shahi style with a dash of chat masala, a quick glass of Nimbu Pani restores lost electrolytes in seconds.

Jaljira translates directly to "water" and "cumin." It is a punchy, tangy beverage powered by cumin, black salt, dry mango powder, and fresh mint. It's incredibly refreshing and acts as an excellent appetizer.

Thick, creamy, and deeply satisfying, Lassi is Punjab’s gift to the summer season. Whether you like a classic sweet cardamom lassi, a fragrant rose version, or a fruity twist, a tall kulhad (clay cup) of lassi is pure bliss.

Known locally as Ganne ka Ras, this is the ultimate street-side savior during peak afternoons. Freshly squeezed sugarcane juice mixed with a hint of ginger and mint provides an instant energy boost and helps flush out toxins.

Made from boiled raw green mangoes, mint, and spices, Aam Panna is legendary for its ability to fight off intense heat waves (loo). It’s tangy, sweet, and incredibly effective at regulating body temperature.

Sitting comfortably at number one is the king of summer drinks—Mango Juice (or Aamras). Made from perfectly ripe Alphonsos or Kesars, this thick, luscious drink is the absolute highlight of an Indian summer.

Which of these is your absolute favorite way to stay cool? Let me know in the comments below!

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