Drinks(Non Alcoholic)

We are having a very hot summer here these days. We moved to a new apartment last week and it was extremely difficult under hot sun. All that we craved for was some cool drink which would cool down our bodies. I am not a great fan of any kind of sodas and I get bored of store bought juices very soon. I made a couple of cool drinks which I am going to post here in next few days.

I have heard so much about this drink Thandai – a cold drink made of dried nuts and some spices. This recipe was sent to me by Gowri last year. This drink also has poppy seeds which are supposed to have cooling effects on the body. The fennel seeds(saunf/badishepi) give a great flavor. I instantly became a fan of this drink. I have seen different versions of this recipe, but I really liked this version, so I am going to stick to it. Thanks a lot Gowri.

Ingredients:
15 almonds
1 tea spn peppercorns
1 tbl spn dry grapes(raisins)
2 dates (wet)
1 tea spn fennel seeds (saunf/badishepi)
2 tea spn poppy seeds
2 cardamom with pods
Sugar
Milk

Method:
Soak dates, almonds, peppercorns, raisins, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom overnight in the water(I just soak them for 2-3 hours). Next day grind to a very smooth paste. Add sugar (as per your taste) and Milk to bring it to required consistency. Strain. Serve chilled.

Serves : 2-3
Preparation time : 15mins

This recipe was sent to me by Aruna. She has sent me a lot of recipes and I owe her for the immense support she is giving to Aayisrecipes. I have been trying many of her recipes in last few days and loved this milkshake. Here is what she said about this milkshake, “It is summer and the heat is killing. This is good milkshake, and in case it fruit is sweet then no need of sugar”.

Mashmelons are called as ‘chibbad’ in Konkani. The Indian name for mashmelon/musk melon/cantalope is ‘Karbooja’. They are used in a sweet dish called as ‘HashaLe’ (I will post the recipe soon). But I had never bought it here before. With the kind of heat we are experincing here these days, any kind of milkshake would catch my immediate attention.

Updated on August 21
I used ‘Honey dew melons‘ for this milkshake (Thanks Shobitha for the information). Read here about different melons available in American grocery stores.

I tweaked the proportions to suit our taste. This had the distinguising flavour of melon. Increase the amount of melon if desired.

Note: Honey dew melon leaves a tinge of bitter taste to the milkshake, so be careful if using this melon, since I had used this melon, I have reduced the amount of fruit considerably(have used just 2 pieces) in the milkshake. I think cantalope should solve this problem.

Updated on 29th August
Today I tried this milkshake with cantalope. It tasted amazing (no bitter taste at all)

Ingredients:
Honey dew melon (around 2″ cubes) 2 pieces or Cantalope pieces  1 cup
Sugar 2 tea spns
Cardamom powder 1/4 tea spn
Milk 2 cups

If melons are too sweet, don’t add sugar.

Method:
Blend all the ingredients in mixer/blender. Strain through a tea strainer.
Serve chilled.

Serves : 2
Preparation time : 5min

I am not a very big fan of sweet lassi, but I absolutely loved the spicy/salted version of it served with meals in almost all restaurants in Bangalore. When I saw ‘Mango lassi’ here at almost all Indian restaurants, I never actually thought of trying it. Then our friend told us that the mango lassi tastes absolutely yummy, so when I tried it, I could not stop at one glass. Mmmmm it was heavenly. Now I never miss any opportunity to have it at home and at restaurants. So when Sunil asked about this recipe, I bought a tin of mango pulp (I used ‘Kesar mango pulp’ for this, but any mango pulp can be used) so that I could continue to enjoy this heavenly drink atleast for 1 week :D.

Ingredients:
Mango pulp 3/4 cup
Curd/yogurt 1 cup
Milk(optional) 3/4 cup
Sugar 2-3 tea spns
Cardamom 1/2 tea spn

Ripe mangoes can also be used instead of ‘mango pulp’. Peel mangoes and blend them in a blender/mixer to get a smooth pulp. Increase/decrease the amount of milk and sugar to get desired consistency and sweetness.

Method:
Blend all the ingredients in a blender/mixer for around 2 mins to get a smooth mixture.
Serve chilled.

Makes 2 glasses
Preparation time : 2-3mins

When I was a kid, watermelon was a must at home during summer. Since I absolutely love the chilled watermelon pieces (my mom used to cut them and keep in refrigerator, but she never knew how the pieces disappeared within an hour!!!), my father brings watermelon whenever he comes across them anywhere in the market. My mom never wasted the white part of watermelon, she makes the delicious sweet dosas and normal dosas with them.

Recently, when I bought watermelon here, the guy who was selling them told me, the watermelons having green color and a yellowish patch on one side are the sweetest ones. He was right, the one which I had bought was very very sweet. So now, I am daily having a glass of watermelon juice for breakfast :).

Ingredients:
Watermelon pieces(chilled) 3 cups
Sugar 1/2 cup
Ginger 1″ piece
Pepper 3-4

Method:
Blend all the ingredients together. Serve with ice.
Serve this immediately after preparing it, otherwise it becomes watery.

Serves : 2
Preparation time : 5mins

I found a very good article about summer juices and drinks a few days back. These days we get very good pineapples here. I never really liked pineapple juice before. But this one tasted just amazing. Chilled pineapple juice for a hot day, what else can I ask for?

Ingredients:
Pineapple pieces    1 cup
Saffron strands     4-5
Sugar   2-3 tea spns
Water    1 and 1/2 cups

Method:
Blend all together in a blender to a smooth mixture. Strain the juice.

A few variations to this juice are –
– Use cardamom instead of saffron.
– Add few  pepper corns while blending.
Serve the juice chilled.

Serves : 2
Preparation time : 5mins

These days the temperature has become unbearable here. Even if we go out for 5mins in the sun, we feel like almost dead by the time we reach home. So I am preparing a lot of healthy juices at home instead of drinking any artificial ones. I would like to post as many juices as possible in this summer.

Medicinal values of
Carrot : High in beta carotene, a powerful anticancer, artery-protecting, immune-boosting, infectionfighting,antioxidant with wide protective powers. A carrot a day slashed stroke rates in women by 68 percent. The beta-carotene in one medium carrot cuts lung cancer risk in half, even among formerly heavy smokers. Improves the eyesight. Beta carotene, as found in carrots, substantially reduces odds of degenerative eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. The high soluble fiber in carrots promotes regularity. Cooking can make it easier for the body to absorb carrot’s beta-carotene. Builds healthy skin and tissue. Good for heart disease. Reduces the risk of cancer.

Ginger : Ginger is a classic tonic for the digestive tract. It stimulates digestion and keeps the intestinal muscles toned. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and is useful with symptoms of arthritis. It also supports a healthy cardiovascular system.

Ingredients:
Carrot 2
Ginger 2″ piece
Sugar 1 tbl spn
Cardamom 1/2 tea spn

Method:
Cut carrot into small pieces and grind along with all the ingredients and 3 cups of water.
If required, strain the juice before serving (but to retain the fibres in the juice, do not strain it).
Serve chilled.

Serves : 2
Preparation time : 5min