Everyday ingredients, which are easily available, can be made into simple and yummy sherbets or drinks, and practically take just 15 to 20 minutes. For example, watermelon, cucumber or lemon drinks can make quick sips that quench the thirst and help in maintaining water balance in your body, but in a refreshing way. Here are recipes for four summer-special sherbets that will help you keep hydrated and look great for the IG feed too.
But first, a few things to remember while making drinks during summer:
- Ingredients, especially fruits, go stale quicker in heat and humidity
- Taking about 15 minutes a day to make a fresh batch is always a healthier and tastier option
- If it tastes, smells or looks funny, do away with it
- Always carry water even if you are carrying a sherbet with you when going out
Watermelon and cucumber sherbet
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A healthy juice perfect for anytime — be it after workout, a long day outdoors or afternoons when the world is literally on fire.
Ingredients:
- Deseeded watermelon: 15 pieces
- Peeled and roughly chopped cucumber: 8 pieces
- Rock salt: To taste
- Mint leaves: 2-3 for garnish
- Ice cubes: 7-8 pieces
Recipe:
- Put all the ingredients expect the mint leaves in a blender and blend for about 45 seconds
- Check the water residue by watermelon, ice cubes and cucumber and then add desired amount of water
- Blend again for a minute
- Serve preferably chilled with some more ice cubes
Tips:
- Do not store the drink for more than 6-7 hours
- Add sugar only if required
Mint and lemon sherbet
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A sour and sweet concoction with an aftertaste of mint, this drink is a huge relief in these sweaty times.
Ingredients:
- Lemon juice: 8 large lemons
- Mint leaves: 5-6
- Rock salt: To taste
- Powdered sugar: 4-5 tablespoons
- Jaljeera powder: 1 teaspoon
- Cold water: As required
Recipe:
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about a minute
- Check salt and sugar balance and serve chilled with ice cubes
Tip:
- You can store this drink for a day, but ideally not in a metal bottle
Tamarind sherbet
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Tangy and tasty — have you tried tamarind in a summer drink? No? Try it today!
Ingredients:
- Ripe tamarind pulp: ½ of a small cup
- Jaggery: 1 small cup
- Rock salt: To taste
- Roasted cumin powder: 1 teaspoon
- Cold water: As required
Recipe:
- Remove any seed from the tamarind pulp and make a smooth paste
- If the jaggery is not in powdered form, grate it to small it easier to blend
- Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend for about 2 minutes
- Check the taste of the drink and balance ingredients if required. Then strain it into a bottle
- Serve chilled with ice cubes
Tips:
- It is advisable to not store the drink in a metal container, and for more than 3-4 hours. Do not keep it in room temperature as well for best results
- You can use sugar in the place of jaggery
- Try to consume this drink during the way to avoid digestion problems
Palm sugar (‘taal mishri’) sherbet
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An essential summer favourite in almost every Bengali household, taal mishri or palm sugar provides respite in many ways. For example, you can use it as a dessert when craving something sweet, and put it in the place of sugar in any cold beverage you are making.
Ingredients:
- Palm sugar: 4-5 medium pieces
- Rock salt: To taste
- Mint leaves: 2-3
- Jaljeera powder: To taste
- Cold water: As required
Recipe:
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend real well, until the palm sugar dissolves completely
- Check taste and serve chilled
Tips:
- Using mint leaves is optional in this drink
- You also make a version out of palm sugar and rock salt with or without lemon juice