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From refreshing Nimboo Paani to nutty Thandai, savour India's diverse beverage culture.
Indians indulge in a variety of beverages to combat the sweltering heat or humidity. In fact, a multitude of these refreshing concoctions, created using locally sourced ingredients, have gained popularity as iconic street drinks. Here are seven non-alcoholic drinks from India's innumerable neighbourhoods, served by its street vendors, family restaurants, and from the loving kitchens of homes.
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Along the Konkan coast, Solkadhi is a beloved summer cooler that combines the tartness of kokum and the mellow sweetness of fresh coconut milk. This pinkish-mauve concoction surprises taste buds with its complex flavours. A gentle kick of heat from chilli and pepper, along with aromatic hints of garlic and coriander, further enhances the experience. Kokum, known for its cooling properties and medicinal benefits, is abundant in this coastal region, making it an ideal summer drink. At Gavkari in Pune, the tangy flavour of kokum danced on my tongue. A second tryst came about soon enough at Versova’s Malwani Kalwan (located in Mumbai), where any humid evening best starts with gulping down at least two full glasses of Solkadhi.
If we talk about the adventures of streetside drinks, Banta Soda is perhaps the most travelled. Dressed as sparkling water served with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of rock salt, this humble soda is the perfect drink to conclude a heavy dinner. To enjoy banta soda, you need to open the bottle by pushing the marble inside using a special opener designed for this purpose. Having personally savoured the refreshing and tangy drink, I can vouch for its playful charm, especially when opening the bottle with its marble stopper.
North India celebrates Holi and Maha Shivratri in the company of Thandai. This nut and milk-based drink is spiced with cardamom, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and poppy seeds. Head to Uttar Pradesh's towns and cities, such as Varanasi and Mathura, to experience the best Thandai. If you're feeling adventurous, try the legalised Bhang Thandai that is infused with marijuana, during the festive season.
Aam Panna, a popular summer drink in India, is believed to have originated in the Northern and Western parts of the country. India's rich biodiversity boasts around 2,000 varieties of mangoes, making it the world's largest producer of this tropical fruit. With such an abundance of mangoes, regional cuisines across India celebrate the fruit at every ripening stage through various preparations, including drinks, chutneys, curries, and desserts. Among these delightful mango concoctions, Aam Panna is a refreshing favourite. The drink, made from green mangoes, is known for its tangy and sweet flavour, offering respite from the scorching summer heat. On my recent visit to Mumbai, I had the chance to sip a cool, dewy cup at Goregaon’s Sujata Upahar Gruha. The tangy, sweet mango drink was made to perfection with a dash of mint and rock salt. You don't need to go to a restaurant for this one. Just look up a recipe and try it at home.
In Goa, Niro, the sweet and refreshing unfermented cashew drink, is served as the ideal thirst quencher on hot afternoons. Niro is often produced alongside its big brother, Feni. Also known as Neero, it is extracted from the final squeezing of cashew apples harvested in Goa during April-May. The result is a clear liquid that is a great summer thirst quencher.
Combining the sweetness of sugar with the zing of spice, Kerala's Kulukki Sarbath offers a delightful twist to the traditional lemonade. Kulukki translates to 'shaken'. This type of shaken lemonade is a refreshing drink, featuring a blend of basil seeds (also known as sabja seeds), lemon, sugar syrup, ginger, salt, and a touch of green chilli that adds layers and complexity to its taste. I stumbled upon Kulukki Sarbath at a charming café in Alapuzzha. Although I had ordered a lemonade, this variation was a delicious surprise. The highlight of the drink was the delightful crunch of sabja seeds, enveloped in their gelatinous layers.
My fondness for pink-coloured drinks is a nostalgic throwback to my childhood. When reminiscing about sweet memories from those days, the traditional rose Falooda undeniably stands out as a favourite. Falooda effortlessly brings together flavours, textures, and ingredients with vermicelli noodles, sweet basil seeds, rose syrup, milk, and ice cream, and is sometimes topped with nuts and fruits. Falooda came to India through the influence of Persian and Mughal cultures. The drink travelled to India from Persia, and over time, it underwent adaptations to suit local tastes and ingredients. Some variations of Falooda may use different syrups or fruit flavours, such as saffron syrup, mango or strawberry syrup—resulting in different colours. The drink is a favourite—from Mumbai’s Haji Ali Juice Centre to Kolkata’s Raja Bazar.
As you embark on your travels, be sure to quench your thirst with these delightful local beverages. Raise your glass and savour the essence of India's beverage culture, one delightful drink at a time.
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