20 Traditional Non-Alcoholic Indian Summer Coolers

From Thekera Tenga Sorbot to Sol Kadhi, Lassi to the traditional Panakam try these 20 Traditional Non-alcoholic Indian Summer Coolers during the summer days.

1.Aam Panna

Summer and mangoes are synonymous. Come summer and it also marks the arrival of the variety of mangoes in India.

Aam Panna, a popular sweet and tangy drink with unripe mangoes (either boiled or roasted for a smoky flavour), spices and fresh herbs, this herb and spice infused mango cooler will surely prevent a possible heat stroke, and the addition of rock salt will help keep your blood pressure level under control during the extreme climate.

Aam Panna recipe.

2.Bela Panaa or Bael Panna

The next time you come across some wood apples or bael fruit, try this refreshing Bela Panaa to help the tummy stay cool and full to beat the heat. And not to forget those energetic little kids running around in your house, can equally enjoy this cool drink to stay charged throughout the day.

Did you know! Bael Panna or Bela Panna is offered to the deity, Lord Jagannath as a summer drink.

Find the recipe for this wonder drink here.

3. Chaas

A variation of popular yogurt drinks across many parts of India is the Chaas or buttermilk which is either a simple salted preparation or a spice and herb infused savoury yogurt drink churned with a traditional wooden churner called madhani.

Recipe for a spice infused Masala Chaas version is here.

4. Coconut Juice

This sharbat with tender coconut pulp and water along with powdered spices will definitely be an unusual summer cooler recipe.

A four ingredient recipe, you can even prep it up and refrigerate before serving it chilled.

Sindhi Coconut Juice recipe.

5. Ela Neer Payasam

Ela Neer Payasam is mildly sweet and loaded with flavours of tender coconut meat and coconut milk. It is quite unlike any other payasam and is also served as a cooling summer drink. The best part about it’s that you can make it in a jiffy and opt out the milk, you get a vegan version.

Ela Neer Payasam recipe.

6. Jal Jeera

Jal Jeera literally means Water (Jal) with Cumin (Jeera). However, it is much more. Apart from cumin, it has mint, coriander, black salt, and lemon juice; all of which makes it a tangy drink. Jal Jeera is famous as an appetizer but is also a great cooling drink as one is looking out for ways to stay cool and hydrated.

Jal Jeera recipe.

7.Jamun Panna

Jamun or Java plums a tropical fruit native to the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia in a sweet and salted spice infused traditional cooler can be equally refreshing.

A sweet tart fruit acidic in nature that leaves a purple hue on the tongue when eaten as it’s. When had in moderation it helps aid in digestion due to its coolant properties.

Find the recipe for Jamun Panna here.

8. Kokum Sherbet

Thinking of newer and different taste this summer than try this sweet and tangy vibrant popular Mangosteen or Kokum Sherbet from the coastal belt of Konkan and Malvan region.

For an authentic taste make use of dried kokum instead of the store bought concentrate.

Find a simple recipe here.

9. Kulukki Sharbath

Have you tried this interesting Kulukki Sharbath with dried basil seeds yet?

Known for their cooling properties, in aiding a healthy digestive system, dried basil or sabja seeds are also considered to be good stress reliever.

Now that you got familiar with some of the health benefits of sabja seeds, this refreshing sharbath with fresh lime and dried basil seeds along with few more ingredients is cool enough to be shaken and poured out of a cocktail shaker right into tall mocktail glasses and enjoyed.

Find the recipe here.

10. Lassi

Yet another popular traditional yogurt based drink Lassi. This frothy yogurt drink can be sweet or savoury, prepared to suit your palate and enjoyed post a heavy meal.

Wish to experiment with some fruits then try the fruity version of the sweet lassi shared here.

11. Matha

A quick and cool sweet and savoury, tangy buttermilk preparation with variations across regions.

Squeeze in the juice of half of a freshly cut lemon for a tangier flavour if you wish to.

Sweet and Salty Matha recipe.

12. Menthi Majjiga

Easy to make, there is nothing more satisfying than Menthi Majjiga Annam or spiced Buttermilk with tempered fenugreek on a hot summer afternoon. It needs no accompaniments.

Menthi Majjiga Annam recipe.

13. Panakam/Panagam

Panakam, a very easy to make jaggery drink that has great cooling effect on the body. You will find Panakam being served at various occasions throughout the summer as a refreshing cooling drink.

This sweet and spicy drink, along with Chalimidi and Vada Pappu, is the traditional Naivedyam on Sree Rama Navami in Andhra Pradesh.

Panakam recipe.

14. Ragi Ambali/Ambli

Looking for a gluten-free traditional cooler! Consider this Ragi Ambali/Ambli, a finger millet drink from down South India as an ideal summer refreshment.

With a myriad of spices and freshly chopped herbs garnish, this nutritious thirst quencher will for sure keep your body temperature under control as the mercury level rises.

A heirloom Ragi Ambli recipe.

15. Sattu Sharbat

Sattu Sharbat, a nutritious roasted gram flour drink popular in the North Indian state of UP and the East Indian state of Bihar.

Had as a quick breakfast drink during summer due to its cooling and easy digestive property. This fiber and protein rich drink can be sweet as well as savoury or a combination of both as per the palate.

Find the savoury version of Sattu Sharbat here.

16. Shikanji

If limeade is your favourite then simply stop stocking the store-bought lemonade and instead try making this traditional Indian version of the regular limeade, Shikanji.

Crush and add in some toasted cumin seeds for an interesting flavour.

Shikanji recipe.

17. Sol Kadhi

A digestive and cooler drink popular in Goa and Konkan region of India. It is basically a curry made from kokum and has coconut milk as a base. A refreshing and slightly tangy drink, sol kadhi is usually eaten with rice or drunk at the end of a sit-down meal.

This beautiful pink coloured cooler drink is part of Goan, Malvani and Konkani thali.

Find a simple Sol Kadhi recipe here.

18. Thandai

A refreshing and energizing milk drink, Thandai is very popular in North and North West India and is traditionally associated with festivals like Mahashivratri and Holi.

A chilled milk based beverage flavoured with varieties of spices along with edible rose petals Thandai is perfect to be called a royal summer drink.

A non-alcoholic version of Thandai can be found here.

19. Thekera Tenga Sorbot

For a simple coolant recipe try this drink with Bor Thekera or Sohdanei(Garcinia Pedunculata). Garcinia Pedunculata is a fruit native to parts of North-East Indian region. It’s used as a souring agent in traditional Assamese curries.

Known for its benefits of aiding digestion, if had in the morning, it’s believed to be more beneficial.

A quick recipe for this Thekera Tenga Sorbot can be found here.

20. Tnetuler Shorbot

Thought of a drink with sweet and tangy tamarinds ever?

Try this refreshing Tnetuler Shorbot, a summer cooler with sweet and tangy tamarind, rock sugar and black salt, spiced with crushed toasted cumin seeds.

Tnetuler Shorbot recipe.

Now you have 20 Traditional Non-Alcoholic Indian Summer Coolers in your must-try list to help fight the rising mercury level and stay hydrated.