Summer is here, and with it comes the scorching sun and the constant battle to stay cool. While air conditioning and fans are lifesavers, there’s something undeniably delightful about a refreshing drink to truly quench your thirst and beat the heat.
Enter sharbats – delicious, cool beverages originating from South Asia! Traditionally made with fruits, herbs, flowers, and sometimes even nuts, sharbats are a delightful way to cool down and add a burst of flavor to your summer.
Here are 10 fantastic sharbat recipes to keep you cool and hydrated all summer long:
1. Classic Lemon Sharbat: Tangy and Refreshing
This is a timeless sharbat recipe perfect for a hot day.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- Juice of 2 lemons
- A few mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat the water and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
- Let the sugar syrup cool slightly.
- Add the lemon juice and stir well.
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
- Garnish with mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch.
2. Luscious Mango Sharbat: Sweet and Tropical
This creamy mango sharbat is a taste of summer in a glass!
- Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, chopped
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup milk (can be replaced with water for a vegan option)
- ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of cardamom powder (optional)
- Instructions:
- Blend the chopped mango with water and milk until smooth.
- Strain the mixture to remove any pulp (optional).
- Stir in sugar and cardamom powder (if using).
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
3. Cooling Watermelon Sharbat: Light and Hydrating
Watermelon is naturally high in water content, making it perfect for a hydrating sharbat.
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
- ½ cup water (or adjust based on desired consistency)
- ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- Juice of ½ lime (optional)
- A few mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Instructions:
- Blend the chopped watermelon and water until smooth.
- Strain the mixture to remove any pulp (optional).
- Stir in sugar and lime juice (if using).
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
- Garnish with mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch.
4. Minty Khus Sharbat: Unique and Flavorful
Khus, also known as vetiver, is a fragrant root used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a cooling effect, making it perfect for a unique and refreshing sharbat.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup chopped khus roots (available at Indian grocery stores)
- ¼ cup sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A few mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine water and khus roots.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool completely.
- Strain the mixture to remove the khus roots.
- Stir in sugar and lemon juice.
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
- Garnish with mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch.
5. Fizzy Rose Sharbat: Floral and Fun
This beautiful rose sharbat is not only delicious but also visually stunning!
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup rose petals (washed and dried)
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup rose water (available at Indian grocery stores)
- Club soda to top
- Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine rose petals and water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Let the mixture cool completely.
- Strain the mixture to remove the rose petals.
- Stir in sugar and rose water.
- Chill thoroughly before serving.
- To serve, fill glasses with rose sharbat and top with chilled club soda for a delightful fizz.