Summer Thirst Quenchers

Thirsty-time! 

By: Vijaya Rajagopalan

The summer heat makes us all yearn for cold drinks by the gallon. The best thirst quencher is of course WATER! Not  ice-cold from the refrigerator, but cool from the tap.  It is said that cold, refrigerated water with ice cubes gulped down after a walk, game, or other aerobic activities is not a good idea – it’s like a shock to the system.  Drink cool or cold water instead and drink it slowly.

Growing up, we were given water stored in earthen pots or matka or paanai - these pots actually cool the water amazingly well. Sometimes we’d add a slice of lime or even the skin of cardamom, to flavor the water delicately. If you have such a pot at home store water in it to cool and try other herbs that may appeal to your taste buds.

Here are a few guaranteed thirst quenchers from our kitchen: 

Buttermilk Cooler

Mint & ginger buttermilk drink that is a real thirst buster that also helps cool the body. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 glasses buttermilk
• Salt to taste
• 3 – 4 mint leaves or curry leaves
• ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, skinned and crushed

Method: 

• Put all these ingredients in a blender and run until fully mashed up. 
• Strain through a sieve
• Add 2 glasses cool water. Add a couple drops lime juice if desired. 
• Keep the buttermilk drink really thin. 

Buttermilk is also a good probiotic for your stomach. 

Mint & Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients: 

• 1 large lemon or lime  - deseeded
• ½ inch piece of fresh, peeled ginger
• 4-5 mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon of honey or raw sugar 
• 2 glasses water

Method: 

• If using lemon, squeeze out all the juice into a bowl. If using lime, and if they are thin-skinned, you can quarter them put them into the blender with the skin on. Try it! The skin gives it an interesting flavor. 
• To the blender add the lemon juice if using, or the quartered lime pieces. 
• Add the ginger, mint leaves, honey or raw sugar and a quarter glass of slightly warm water and run until fully blended. 
• Strain this juice into a pitcher. Add the 2 glasses cool water. 
• Taste and adjust the honey or sugar to your taste. 

Raw Mango Cooler

Ingredients: 

• 2 raw mangoes – skinned, seeds removed. 
• ¼ teaspoon dry ginger powder
• 1 tablespoon raw sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Method: 

• Add the skinned and deseeded mangoes to a couple tablespoons water and boil gently until they become soft and mushy. 
• Remove from heat, let cool and mash to a pulp. 
• Add the dry ginger, sugar and saffron and stir in thoroughly. 
• Add the salt, stir and cool in fridge.