Anyone from Kolkata has most likely tasted the famous Doodh Cola at Balwant Singh Dhaba at least once. Located in Bhowanipore, this popular hangout spot on Harish Mukherjee Road is well known for its refreshing cups of tea and lassi. However, what makes this joint stand out is its Doodh Cola, a milk-based drink with roots in Punjab. While typically a summer beverage, Balwant Singh’s Doodh Cola — a unique blend of milk and cola in right proportions — has always enjoyed year-round popularity. Thanks to food influencer Aradhana Chatterjee’s now viral reel, Doodh Cola is trending again. To uncover the story behind this unique drink, My Kolkata spoke to Lakhvinder Singh, a partner at Balwant Singh’s Eating House, and his nephew, Manish Singh, the managing director, to explore the drink’s origins, enduring appeal and evolution over the decades. Read on to find out more...
The origins of Doodh Cola
Speaking to My Kolkata over the phone, 75-year-old Lakhvinder Singh reminisced about his first taste of the drink. “A long time ago, my family was travelling to Khatkar Kalan, Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s village. On the road from Jalandhar, we stopped along the way, and my father asked me to get half a kilo of milk and two goli sodas. He punched the two in such a way that the milk didn’t curdle, and that was the first time I tried this drink,” he said.
Explaining further, Lakhvinder added, “My father told me that in summer, having this drink would help cool you down and quench your thirst. It also has health benefits, as it keeps you hydrated in hot and humid conditions — making it the perfect summer drink. That’s why we decided to introduce it at Balwant Singh Dhaba.”
The drink has been around since 1971 and has been a popular hit ever since its inception. While Lakhvinder’s first experience of the drink was with goli soda, the recipe was tweaked a bit when it was introduced in Kolkata. “We initially used soda, but when Campa Cola entered the market, it became the soda of choice to mix with the milk. Later, we switched to Coca-Cola, and now we use Thums Up because it has the most fizz, providing the punch one expects while drinking Doodh Cola,” explained Manish.
The secret to its success
When asked about its year-round popularity, Manish shared, “One portion of Doodh Cola is around 750-800ml. During the winter months, we sell around 60-70 portions daily, while the rest of the year, the average is about 100 portions a day.”
So, what is the secret behind this drink’s popularity for over the last 53 years, we asked. Manish explained, “We use only the best quality milk for our Doodh Cola. Over the years, we’ve tried and tested it extensively and we know that if the milk’s quality isn’t perfect, the results just don’t measure up. That’s one of the main reasons why our Doodh Cola remains so popular.”
Drop by for a jug of tradition
Relish a jug of this iconic drink when you are around Bhowanipore area
If you haven’t tried it yet, make sure to visit Balwant Singh Dhaba in Bhowanipore the next time you’re in the area. Gather your friends, enjoy an adda session and relish a jug of this iconic drink — currently priced at just Rs 220.
