With large parts of India experiencing intense summer heat and heatwave conditions, staying hydrated has become more important than ever. Health experts regularly advise people to drink enough fluids, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and consume foods that help maintain electrolyte balance during hot weather.
Adding a traditional touch to this advice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 134th episode of his Mann Ki Baat programme, highlighted a variety of indigenous summer beverages that have been consumed across India for generations.
He described these drinks as more than just refreshments, saying they are deeply connected to India’s culture, food traditions, and local wisdom.
According to the Prime Minister, these drinks come directly from Indian kitchens, farms, and fields and have stood the test of time without the need for marketing or branding. Many of them are made using simple ingredients such as curd, raw mangoes, kokum, jaggery, roasted gram, and herbs that are easily available in most households.
Here are the 10 traditional Indian summer drinks that PM Modi recommended and the reasons they remain popular during the hottest months of the year.
1. AAM PANNA
Aam panna is one of India’s most loved summer beverages. It is prepared using raw mango pulp, water, spices, mint, black salt, and sweeteners such as sugar or jaggery.
Rich in vitamin C, aam panna is known for its refreshing taste and is often consumed to prevent dehydration during hot weather. It may also help replenish electrolytes lost through sweating.
2. LASSI
Made by blending curd with water, lassi is a cooling drink that is popular across North India.
Available in both sweet and salty versions, lassi contains probiotics that support gut health. It is also a good source of calcium and protein, making it both nourishing and refreshing.
3. CHAAS
Chaas, or buttermilk, is lighter than lassi and is commonly flavoured with roasted cumin, mint, and black salt.
The drink helps keep the body hydrated and is often consumed after meals to aid digestion. Its light texture makes it a favourite during summer.
4. SATTU DRINK
Prepared from roasted gram flour mixed with water and seasonings, sattu drink is widely consumed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of eastern India.
Sattu is rich in protein and fibre, helps maintain energy levels, and is considered a natural cooling drink during hot weather.
5. KOKUM SHARBAT
Popular in western coastal regions, kokum sharbat is made from the dried rind of the kokum fruit.
The drink has a unique sweet-and-sour flavour and is valued for its cooling properties. Kokum is also known for its antioxidant content.
6. SOL KADHI
A traditional coastal beverage, sol kadhi combines kokum with coconut milk.
Known for its refreshing taste, it is often consumed after meals and is believed to support digestion while providing relief from the heat.
7. PANAKAM
Panakam is a traditional South Indian drink made using jaggery, water, lemon juice, and spices such as cardamom.
It is naturally hydrating and provides a quick source of energy, making it a popular summer beverage.
8. NEER MOR
Neer mor is a spiced buttermilk drink from South India.
Prepared with buttermilk, ginger, curry leaves, green chillies, and a pinch of asafoetida, it is known for its cooling effect and digestive benefits.
9. SAMBARAM
A staple summer drink in Kerala, sambaram is another variation of spiced buttermilk.
Made with yoghurt, water, ginger, curry leaves, shallots, and green chillies, it helps cool the body and provides relief during hot and humid weather.
10. BEL PANNA
Bel panna, also known as bael sharbat, is made from the pulp of the wood apple fruit.
Traditionally consumed during summer, the drink is known for its cooling properties and is often used to help prevent dehydration and heat-related discomfort.
Many traditional Indian summer drinks are made using ingredients that naturally provide hydration, electrolytes, probiotics, fibre, or antioxidants. Unlike many packaged beverages that are high in added sugar, these drinks have long been used as home remedies to cope with extreme heat.
However, experts recommend consuming them in moderation, especially versions prepared with large amounts of sugar or jaggery.
As India faces another scorching summer, PM Modi’s recommendations highlight the value of traditional beverages that have been part of Indian households for generations. Whether it is aam panna, chaas, sattu, kokum sharbat, or sambaram, these drinks offer a refreshing way to stay hydrated while celebrating India’s rich culinary heritage.