The temperatures are increasing every day and the intense heat makes us yearn for more refreshing drinks. If you are conscious of your weight and aim to lead a healthy lifestyle, then consuming those bottled summer beverages might seem alarming. These chilled drinks, filled with sugars, provide temporary satisfaction but in reality, they do more harm than good, jeopardizing our efforts to stay in shape and healthy.
Opting for preserved summer drinks is completely out of the question, even the thought of them is a sin. So what is the solution? How do we combat the heat?
Personally, I am unwilling to compromise my health and have discovered a method to keep myself hydrated and healthy during this scorching weather.
Today, I will share with you my preferred summer beverages that I enjoy throughout the day to maintain hydration. The plain consumption of water may not be appealing, especially in the summer when we crave for flavored drinks, so it’s crucial to find ways to increase water intake.
Keep reading.
Salted Pineapple Juice With Water
Pineapple is widely known as an excellent fruit for individuals watching their weight. Its metabolism-boosting properties are well-known and its delightful taste is another reason why I crave it. I blend pineapple with a little water and salt, then dilute it further with water, and it works wonders for me.
Cucumber and American Cucumber Buttermilk
Instead of consuming buttermilk traditionally, I prefer adding some additional flavors. Take a cucumber and a few American cucumbers, blend them with yogurt until smooth. Adjust the consistency with water to make buttermilk. For an enhanced taste, you can sprinkle in salt and spices like black pepper powder.
Smoothie of Carrot and Beetroot
Carrot and beetroot are highly nutritious. They not only benefit health but also promote beautiful skin and hair. Despite their nutritional value, not everyone enjoys consuming them individually. Blending them into a smoothie with water creates a nutritious summer drink.
Minted Watermelon Juice
These are ultimate refreshers for the scorching heat. The delightful taste of watermelon needs no introduction, and in juice form, it becomes even more enjoyable. Blend watermelon and mint together, add water, chill it, and sip on it to stay hydrated and cool throughout the day.
Bael Fruit Juice
Bael fruit, also known as wood apple or stone apple, is another fantastic Indian coolant. While extracting the pulp from bael fruit may seem more challenging than other fruits, I’m willing to go the extra mile for the benefits of this fruit. Simply extract the pulp, mash it to release the juice, strain it, mix the filtered pulp with water, black salt, and black pepper powder according to taste, and voila, your bael juice is ready.
The key idea behind these juices is to remain hydrated, feel satiated, and increase water intake. Adding too much juice can make you feel full, reducing water intake. To enhance water intake, I prefer a 3:1 ratio of water to fruit pulp in all these recipes. This means that the water added to all these recipes is three times the amount of fruit pulp. You can always enhance the taste of these fruit juices by adding black salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. I sip on these juices throughout the day and switch flavors based on my preference. The sipper you see in the images is quite handy; I purchased it online from hopscotch.
On lazy days, I buy juices from stores, and when I grow weary of these juices, I turn to pineapple kanji. Here’s the recipe.
Fermented Pineapple Water or Pineapple Kanji
Fermented water not only tastes delicious but also offers numerous benefits. It introduces good bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system and aid in faster food absorption.
To make pineapple kanji, you’ll need a large glass jar. Add 1 liter of water to the jar along with a few pineapple pieces. Then, sprinkle in red chili powder and mustard powder. Place the jar in the sun for a week for fermentation. After a week, strain the fermented pineapple water, add a few ice cubes, and enjoy!
This is my method of staying hydrated. These beverages are not only healthy and great for hydration but they also act as a beauty tonic for me. These juices have been instrumental in maintaining the health of my hair and skin. So, the next time you feel like having a summer drink, give these a try.
