Refreshing Summer Drinks – A Taste of Tradition and Health

Summer in Mumbai has its own personality. The bright sun, the warm breeze flowing through the lanes of Vile Parle, and the familiar sounds of vendors selling seasonal fruits remind us that it is the season of heat — but also the season of refreshing drinks. Before air conditioners and packaged beverages became common, every household had its own traditional methods to beat the heat. Our grandmothers knew the secret: simple, natural, homemade drinks that cooled the body and nourished it at the same time.

Today, many of those age-old drinks are making a comeback, while new healthy beverages are also gaining popularity. Let us take a refreshing journey through some traditional, nostalgic, and modern summer drinks that keep us hydrated and energized.

The Nostalgia of Traditional Summer Drinks

In the earlier days, especially in neighbourhoods like Vile Parle, summer afternoons often meant a glass of something cool prepared lovingly at home.

One of the most popular drinks was Panha, made from raw mangoes. The tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy taste of this drink made it a favourite during the scorching months of April and May. Raw mangoes were boiled, mashed, and mixed with jaggery, cardamom, and a hint of salt. Apart from being delicious, panha helps prevent heat strokes and restores lost energy.

Another classic drink was Kokum Sharbat. Known for its deep purple colour and tangy flavour, kokum is a natural coolant widely used in coastal Maharashtra. A glass of chilled kokum sharbat after returning from the afternoon heat could instantly revive the body.

Then there was the humble but beloved Taak (Buttermilk). In almost every Maharashtrian household, freshly churned buttermilk with roasted cumin powder, salt, and coriander leaves was served after meals. It aided digestion and cooled the body naturally.

Many families also prepared Sattu drink, Gond Katira sherbet, and Baalant kadha-style herbal coolers, which were believed to balance body temperature and maintain hydration. These drinks were simple, nutritious, and made from ingredients readily available in the kitchen.

Fruit-Based Refreshers – Nature’s Hydration

Summer is also the season when nature provides us with the most hydrating fruits. Many traditional drinks were prepared using seasonal fruits.

Fresh sugarcane juice, sold by street vendors across Mumbai, has always been a summer favourite. Served with a dash of lemon and ginger, it provides instant energy and electrolytes.

Watermelon juice and muskmelon juice are other natural coolers. In earlier days, fruits were simply blended or mashed and served chilled without added sugars. These juices not only quench thirst but also supply essential vitamins and minerals.

Limbu Pani (Nimbu Sharbat) remains perhaps the most universal summer drink. A simple combination of lemon, sugar or jaggery, salt, and water creates a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours that quickly rehydrates the body.

Even Aamras, though often eaten as a dessert, was sometimes diluted slightly with milk or water to create a refreshing mango drink during the peak mango season.

The Rise of Modern and Trending Summer Drinks

While traditional drinks remain beloved, modern lifestyles have introduced a variety of new beverages that combine taste with creativity.

In cafes around Mumbai, drinks such as cold brew coffee, iced matcha, and fruit iced teas are increasingly popular among younger generations. These drinks are often flavoured with mint, citrus, or berries, giving them a refreshing twist.

Smoothies have also become a trendy option. Made with fruits like banana, mango, berries, or pineapple and blended with yogurt or almond milk, smoothies are both filling and nutritious.

Another rising trend is detox water — simple water infused with slices of fruits, cucumber, mint leaves, or herbs. This drink is light, refreshing, and helps maintain hydration throughout the day.

Bubble tea, kombucha, and herbal iced teas are also gaining attention among health-conscious consumers. While these drinks come from global cultures, they are slowly finding their place in Mumbai’s summer beverage scene.

Healthy Drinks for the Modern Lifestyle

With increasing awareness about health and nutrition, many people are now choosing drinks that are both refreshing and beneficial for the body.

Tender coconut water remains one of the healthiest natural drinks available. Rich in electrolytes and minerals, it helps restore hydration quickly during hot days.

Aloe vera juice, amla juice, and wheatgrass shots are also becoming popular among those looking for immunity-boosting drinks.

Chaas with mint, turmeric milk coolers, and basil seed (sabja) drinks are modern adaptations of traditional remedies that support digestion and cooling.

Even traditional drinks like panha and kokum sharbat are now being prepared with healthier alternatives such as jaggery or honey instead of refined sugar.

Bringing Back the Culture of Homemade Summer Drinks

What makes these drinks special is not just their taste but the culture and memories associated with them. Many people in Vile Parle still recall afternoons when mothers and grandmothers prepared large batches of panha or buttermilk, storing them in steel vessels in the refrigerator, ready to be served to family members and visiting guests.

Today, as people move towards healthier lifestyles, there is a renewed appreciation for these homemade beverages. They remind us that the best solutions to summer heat were discovered long ago in our own kitchens.

Perhaps this summer is the perfect time to revive those traditions — to prepare a refreshing glass of kokum sharbat, blend fresh watermelon juice, or churn buttermilk just like the old days.

After all, the most refreshing drink is not always the most expensive or fashionable one. Sometimes, it is simply the drink that carries the taste of tradition, health, and home.

– Rashmi Mavlankar