From Mango Mastani To Shrikhand: Summer Classics Worth Trying

The summer heat this year is getting more intense than ever, and staying hydrated should be your top priority. And when it comes to hydration, India’s regional cuisines have plenty to offer, from drinks to dishes to desserts- these classics are a must-try.

Scorching heat, excessive humidity, severe dehydration and sunstroke—these are all the common issues we all face due to Indian summers. This year, large parts of India are going through severe heat waves that are making summer health issues much worse. One of the best ways to deal with the onslaught of summer is to drink up and consume loads of thirst-quenching and nourishing drinks and dishes, which are traditionally made across India. 

Not only are these dishes a classic, but they also have refreshing qualities which make you consume it eveyrtime you need a quencher to beat the heat. From desserts to daily meals, these summer classics are worth trying whenever you feel like cooking them up. 

Mango Mastani

Imagine a milkshake made using a blender that has sliced mangoes, dried fruits, whipped cream, or ice cream all layered above a tall glass of mango milk. It seems like you’ve had your dream mango fulfilled in one glass. Which is exactly what mango mastani is. Not just any old mango drink, but a whole mango treat in a glass. Mango mastani’s history is entwined with Pune’s culinary heritage, since the drink was believed to be dedicated to the city’s monarch, Peshwa Bajirao, and his wife, Mastani. If this drink has caught your attention and you want to savour the flavours of mango this summer in the most delicious manner possible, you have to try this.

Shikanji

Shikanji, often referred to as Indian lemonade or nimbu pani, is a cool summertime beverage that is made by blending fresh lemon juice, water, sugar or honey, and a small amount of salt. You can also add mint leaves or roasted cumin powder for flavour. Shikanji is a good choice during the summer because it helps quench your thirst in hot temperatures, aids with digestion, restores electrolytes lost through perspiration, and helps with hydration. 

Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a traditional sweet of the Indian subcontinent made from hung curd or yoghurt and is often relished with pooris (deep-fried puffed bread) or served along with the main course, which includes multiple vegetables, pickles, dal and pooris rice and chapatis. Maharashtrian cuisine often includes shrikhand as a dessert. Shrikhand is cardamom-flavoured yoghurt topped with dry fruits. Both Gujaratis and Maharashtrians claim the invention of Shrikhand, but according to a popular legend, the delicious and utterly sinful shrikhand was invented by nomads. They strained out its whey to carry the yoghurt more easily while travelling overnight, but it turned sour by morning, so they mixed it with sugar and nuts to make it more palatable.

Masala Chaas

Masala chaas is one of the most commonly consumed chaas varieties, and it’s very easy to make using a mixer grinder.  It can be made at home and is also available in packed bottles in the market. It has mint leaves and plethora of spices like jeera powder, black salt, black pepper and many other herbs. It is also good for digestion and keeps the body hydrated for a longer period.  n villages, it is made and kept in an earthen pot for a few hours before being consumed. These pots keep the chaas chilled even in the summer. People residing in Gujarat and Rajasthan’s scorching desert areas consume chaas with salt because it helps with rehydration. In South India, people drink moru or chaas because it helps the body cool off from the heat. 

Ganne Ka Ras

This delicious sugarcane juice not just cools down but relishes and nourishes you too. Sugarcane contains many nutrients, including calcium, fibre, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, and several other amino acids. We love to drink sugarcane juice but never think about how it’s beneficial to our health. The taste of juice relishes the taste buds and refreshes your whole body. One glass of sugarcane juice fuels your body, boosts overall health and lowers oxidative stress. 

Thandai

A tasty and nutritious drink that is used in the summer to beat the heat is thandai. To make thandai, an Indian traditional beverage, milk is mixed with sugar, cardamom, saffron, melon seeds, almonds, cashews, and pistachios, which you can mix in a juicer blender easily. This is a rich, aromatic concoction that is usually served cold, especially during Holi celebrations. It helps cool the body, replenish energy, and provide essential nutrients from nuts and spices.

Rose Sharbat

In India’s sweltering summers, it’s a popular choice because it offers a refreshing flavour and aroma. Fresh rose petals are blended with sugar, water, and occasionally cardamom or kewra for Rose Sharbat preparation. After that, the mixture is strained out to leave behind a fragrant and calming beverage. Rose sharbat has cooling qualities, can help hydrate the body, and has a calming impact on the digestive system, making it a good summertime beverage. 

Solkadi

Solkadi is a very dynamic and versatile drink that is popular in the Malvani part of Maharashtra. It has a baby pink colour and is made from coconut milk, green chillies, garlic, kokum, and some other ingredients, depending on where it is prepared. This is a very refreshing, tangy, and spicy drink that is often consumed on its own and also poured over some steamed rice. The drink is often appreciated for its digestive benefits and great cooling properties. If one is eating an extremely spicy meal, then it is always great to have some sol kadi on the side.