Summer is just around the corner; summer – time is the time for Water melons, Sugar cane juices, Fruit juices, Soft drinks, Tender coconuts and Ice creams. A body gets quickly dehydrated in the summer and keeping it hydrated with water is essential. Instead of drinking just plain water, many prefer fruit or vegetable juices and or herbal drinks. Some of thirst quenchers are:-
1. Fruit colada:- Blend 1 cup pineapple (cut), 11/2 Orange (seed removed) and 5 Straw berries in a mixie. Chill and serve. It necessary sugar may be added.
2. Sugar cane juice:- This natural juice is really a good drink for summer. Added with a little ginger juice, sugar cane juice refreshes the body, reduces the irritation while paping urine and other summer – caused urinary inflammations. It is best drunk in the mid – noon when the heat is at its peak!
3. Toddy:- This cools the body. It should be taken in the morning.
4. Herbal drink:- The herbs that cool the body are “Nannary” and ‘Vetiver’. Nannari is Indian Sarasa parilla (Hemedesmus Indicus). Vetiver is ‘khus – khus’ grass (Cocus vettiveroides). Both these are aromatic plants. Soak a few pieces of the roots of these plants in drinking water, stored in an earthen pot, for a couple of days. Drinking this water helps in cooling the body.
5. Tender Coconut:- One of the best and natural beverages is Tender Coconut. It soothes stomach irritation and ulcers. It cures kidney problems. It gives relief in flatulence.
6. Butter milk:- A traditional favourite, butter milk is a healthy, curative beverage. It cools the body and helps control piles. Its taste and goodness are increased when a little ginger, coriander leaves a pinch of asafoetida, green chillies etc are added to it.
7. Agar:- Agar is an extract of certain sea weeds. Drop a little of this gel in bottle of rose water. This drink can be sweetened with sugar and taken.
Goodness of herbal drinks
Coffee and tea could induce toxins is our body. Herbal drinks are better as these curb the presence of toxins. Herbs suitable for making into a summer drink are – Amla, Thulasi, Coriander leaves, Mint leaves, Rose (Petals), Rose buds, Dried ginger, Hibiscus flower etc.
Recipe of some summer drinks
1. Cucumber chill:- Cut cucumber into small pieces and soak in curd. Add cut pieces of Onion, Ginger, Curry leaves, and Coriander leaves. Also add salt and lemon juice. Mix well, refriegerate and serve chilled.
2. Herbal cool drink:- Boil 4 cups of water. Add 10 gms Jeera, 2 rose buds and one clove. Pour this into a flask and keep. Whenever required, take out a cup of water, bring it room temperature and drink.
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