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In the year 2022, India recorded its hottest March ever. It causes experiencing heat waves in several states across North, Central, and East India since March-June this year. India has reported 280 heat wave days from 11th March to 18th May 2022 the highest in 12 years. India Meteorological Department (IMD) records and reports these data from time to time. Heatwave-like conditions prevailed in 16 states of India from 11th March to 24th April 2022. Below is the graphical representation to show the regions with temperature exposure during Match to May 2022.
India experienced prolonged spells of heat wave in every year. Match 2022 was the hottest month that India has witnessed in last 122 years. From 1992 to 2015 heat waves caused between 400 to 3000 deaths every year. Data on average number of heat wave episodes in states/UTs, shared by the ministry of earth sciences in Lok Sabha in 2022, shows that the total number of heat wave days in the country this year was over five times more compared to last year.
It is time to educate ourselves to beat the heat. The best way to maintain the correct body temperature during summer is to hydrate body frequently and regularly with water. However, Cold drinks reduce thirst more significantly and it gives a cooling effect in the mouth that makes us intended to look for it. Interesting advertisement, promotions, bill boards and accessibility of chilled plastic bottle soft drinks is almost visible in every corner of the street across the country. But remember these soft drinks are nothing but colored carbonated sugar water with few more chemicals that almost no consumes care about.
These cold soft drinks might feel refreshing but it might cause lot of health issues when consumed regularly. After doing a details research, I realized knowing the available regional and local natural summer drinks made out of natural ingredients and Indian household spices are the best option to bear the heat. Here I’m presenting some of the very popular natural summer drinks of India to consume particularly during summer season to maintain the body temperature and hydration level.
India is a very large country by landscape and it offers verities of tastes and recipes. Even a simple drinks like buttermilk recipe changes in every 100 Kilometer distance in India. We live in a time when travelling different parts of the country is within few hours is very common. So here is a effort and single document to try and help readers to explore different famous natural summers drinks by status.
| REGION | DRINK | INGREDIENTS |
| Andhra Pradesh | Menthi Majjiga | Curd, Water, Rested Menthi (Fenugreek) Powder, Coriander Leaves |
| Bihar & Jharkhand | Sattu Sharbat | Roasted Black Chickpea Flour (Kala Chana Atta) and other Household Spices |
| goa | Kokum Sarbet | Kokum (Aamsol Fruit) Juice, Sugar, Cardamom (ilaayachee) and Cumin (Jera) Powder |
| Gujarat | Buttermilk, Chaas | Curd, Water, Black Salt, Ginger, Green Chili, Cumin Powder, Fresh Mint and Coriander, Chaat Masala |
| Haryana | Buttermilk, Chaaj | Curd, water, Salt, Ginger, Green Chili, Cumin powder, Fresh Mint |
| Kerala | Kulukki Sarbath | Lemon Juice, Basil Seeds, Sugar Syrup and Ginger |
| Maharashtra | Aam Panna | Boiled Mango, Sugar, Spices, and Salt. |
| Punjab | Lassi | Thick Curd and Powdered Sugar |
| Rajasthan | Thandai | Boiled thick Curd, Sugar and Thandi Masala (Cardamom, Saffron, Fennel, Rose) |
| Tamil Nadu | Jigarthanda | Milk, Condensed Milk, Rose Syrup, Ice Cream, Almond Pisin |
| Uttar Pradesh | Aam Panna | Boiled Mango, Water, Sugar, Black Rock Salt, Cumin Powder and Fresh Mint Leaves |
| West Bengal | Aam Pora Sharbat | Roasted Raw Mango, Sugar, Green Chili or Red Chili Powder, Roasted Cumin Powder, Ice, Black Salt |
It is needless to say that there are many more local beverages available in India. Also, there are common beverages like buttermilk, Aam Panna, and Lassi available in almost every state with a slightly different way of preparation. I picked the drinks that are popular and have ease of accessibility with ingredients that helps to maintain the body temperature along with hydrating the same.
