8 Amazing Summer Beverages For Senior Citizens

Staying hydrated during summers is essential for seniors in order to carry out day-to-day activities smoothly and maintain good health.

A chilled refreshing drink is nothing less than bliss during the summer season. People often choose unhealthy beverages like sodas, soft drinks and different sugary drinks to beat the scorching summer heat as they are popular and readily available in the market. Below are a few reasons to stop drinking sodas or other soft drinks:

• They contain artificial sugar.

• Caffeine content is excessive in some drinks.

• These beverages provide zero health benefits to the body.

• These drinks are usually consumed as an alternative to water which puts the body at risk of dehydration.

• Uncontrolled intake of such beverages can result in tooth decay, weight gain, and various health complications.

So this summer, while the days get longer and the temperature gets warmer, let's celebrate and beat the heat with some truly healthy refreshing drinks. Cheers!

Aam Panna

Undoubtedly, it's a delicious drink made with almost everyone's favourite fruit - mango. Some of the major health benefits of having Aam Panna are that it is rich in vitamin C, helps in digestion, great for the eyes, diarrhoea, piles, dysentery, and constipation. But, consuming too much can lead to high blood sugar and may cause a runny nose. 

Also, Aam Panna will not only keep you revived but also energized throughout the summer days. Try out this wonderful recipe that you would like to savour daily.

Ingredients for Aam Panna:

• 500 gm green mangoes

• 1/2 cup jaggery/honey

• 1 tsp salt/kala namak (black rock salt)

• 2 tsp roasted and powdered cumin seeds

• 2 tsp finely chopped mint leaves

• 2 cups water

Steps to make Aam Panna:

1. Boil the mangoes till they become soft inside, and the skin changes its colour.

2. When it cools down, remove the skin of the mangoes and squeeze the pulp.

3. Blend all the ingredients and add 2 cups of water.

4. Pour Aam Panna into the glasses and add some ice to them.

Surely, Aam Panna is a desi beverage to battle the summer scorching heat.

Jaljeera

It's the wonder drink to keep the body cool in summer. Jaljeera is not just an appetizing drink but also has many health benefits. It treats digestion, acidity, heartburn and nausea amazingly. You can consume Jaljeera before meals to increase your appetite, and if your stomach is upset after a heavy meal, you can drink it post-meal as well. Here's a recipe for a chilled Jaljeera that you wouldn't want to miss out on.

Ingredients for Jaljeera:

• 125gm tamarind pulp

• 3 tbsp mint leaves

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 3/4 tsp roasted ground cumin 

• 50gm grated jaggery  

• 1 tsp black salt

• 1 tsp ginger salt

• 3-4 tbsp lemon juice

• A pinch of chilli powder

• 1/2 tsp garam masala

• 1/2 litre water

Steps to make Jaljeera

1.  In a food processor, blend all the ingredients together.

2. Then strain and chill it for some time. 

3. Garnish it with some boondis and serve. (Optional)

Jaljeera is a refreshing drink filled with pungent savours. Drink chilled to cool you in the summers.

Sattu Sharbat

Sattu sharbat is a delicious drink that helps you get rid of heat and provides energy. Sattu is flour made from Bengal gram and other pulses that are rich in protein & nutrients. Sattu Sharbat helps in building muscles, is beneficial for diabetic patients, and helps with flatulence, constipation, acidity, inflammation & indigestion. But, in case, Sattu Sharbat is consumed in high quantities it might lead to gas and bloating. Bengal gram sattu should be avoided by people who have gallbladder and kidney stones. Below is the Sattu Sharbat recipe you must try.

Ingredients for Sattu Sharbat:

• 1/4 cup chana sattu

• 4 cups chilled water 

• 2 tsp lemon juice 

• 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder

• 2 tsp chopped mint leaves

• Black salt to taste

• 1 chopped green chilli 

• 2 tsp grated raw Mango 

Steps to make Sattu Sharbat:

1. Add all ingredients to a jug and combine well.

2. Pour in glasses and add some ice cubes.

3. Garnish with mint leaves.

Sattu Sharbat is a brilliant cooler in summer loaded with nutrients, fibre and protein.

Buttermilk 

Buttermilk, popularly called chaas is a curd-based summer drink having several wonderful health benefits. Buttermilk is a calcium house that brilliantly fights constipation, lowers acidity, prevents dehydration and reduces high bp & cholesterol. You should not have buttermilk at night if you have a cold, fever, or pollen allergy. Plus, kidney ailment should avoid buttermilk as it has sodium. You can go for this buttermilk recipe to make sure the sunny days are refreshing ones.

Ingredients for Buttermilk:

• 2 cups plain curd

• 2 chopped green chillies 

• Chopped coriander leaves 

• 4 curry leaves

• 1 tsp rock salt or black salt

Steps to make Buttermilk:

1. Add all the ingredients together to the curd without adding water to it.

2. Blend the mixture well by using a blender or a hand churner. (You can also use a food processor on low speed)

3. Add the mixture to a large pot and pour in 2 cups of chilled water. 

4. Mix it well to keep no lumps.

5. Cool till it's all set to be served. 

6. You can sprinkle some chaat masala and garnish with a twig of coriander on top before serving.

Coconut Water 

Coconut water on a hot sunny day is all you need to cheer you up instantly. The gentle sweetness and fresh taste make it just the perfect drink to flee from the heat. It also makes for an essential electrolyte and is full of natural vitamins & minerals to keep you hydrated. 

Below are some benefits of coconut water you may have been unaware of:

• High in potassium

• Low in calories

• Free of fat and cholesterol

• Prevents kidney stone

• Lowers high BP

Sugarcane Juice

It's an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Sugarcane juice helps to boost your immunity and is considered a natural remedy for various problems. Sugarcane juice is rich in magnesium, iron, calcium and other electrolytes that help to counter dullness and dehydration. Besides these, there are some more health benefits of sugarcane juice such as it is a remedy for jaundice, fights bad breath, strengthens body organs, and treats a sore throat. Also, if consumed excessively, sugarcane can cause insomnia, upset stomach, dizziness, headaches and weight loss. 

Lassi

Lassi is a creamy yoghurt-based drink known as one of the great summer coolers. This refreshment also comes with some brilliant health benefits like it fights body heat, improves digestion, aids acidity, boosts immunity and works as a natural anti-ageing solution. Also, you must not consume lassi daily as it can lead to obesity and constipation with heavy intake. It is recommended not to drink lassi at night during cold, fever or pollen allergy.  

Well, if you haven't tried lassi yet, fret not. Here's a recipe of classic lassi you can easily churn up at home to cool down on a hot summer day.

Ingredients for Lassi:

• 750 gms yoghurt

• Sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 200 ml water

• 50 gms ice cubes

Steps to make Lassi:

1. Grind the ice cubes in a blender.

2. Add yoghurt, water, sugar and salt.

3. Blend for about 1 minute.

4. Serve chilled.

5. If you are making a namkeen lassi, you can sprinkle bhuna jeera, kala namak or any other masala as desired.

Lemonade or Nimbu Paani

How can we miss out on the most consumed summer drink, our very own lemonade or nimbu paani? The most exciting part about nimbu paani is that it immediately rejuvenates and provides energy to you in the severe summer heat. Apart from protecting from the heat, nimbu paani has endless other benefits. It is a good source of Vitamin C, treats kidney stones, helps in liver cleansing and keeps your skin hydrated & lively. Here's a recipe for nimbu paani that is an ideal summer thirst quencher.

Ingredients for Lemonade/Nimbu Paani:

• 1/4 cups mint leaves

• 1/2 tbsp sugar

• 5 tbsp lemon juiced

• Salt or Kala Namak

• Water 

Steps to make Lemonade/Nimbu Paani:

1. Pour cold water into a glass.

2. Squeeze a lemon in it as required.

3. Add sugar and salt.

4. Garnish with mint leaves and serve chilled.

So go ahead and relish these beverages to ensure a happy and healthy summer 2022!