Come summers, temperatures begin to soar high leaving everyone feeling fatigued, sweaty, and exhausted. While water is the primary drink to quench thirst and keep dehydration at bay, summer refreshments are a tasty alternative to add some flavour and rejuvenate your senses. So, here we list down a bunch of summer drinks, loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various other nutrients that people in Assam swear by.
- Nemu Pani (Lemonade)
The straight translation of Nemu Pani is lemon water aka lemonade and is the most sought-after summer drink. Making Nemu Pani is child’s play! Cut a lemon in half and squeeze its juice into a glass. Add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar. Crush some mint leaves with your hand and add to the juice. Add ice cubes, mix well till the sugar and salt dissolve, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve!
- Daab (Coconut Water)
Coconut is naturally enriched in minerals and vitamins, Daab/Narikol Pani or coconut water can instantly boost your energy level. The mild sweetness and fresh taste make it just the perfect drink to keep summer blues at bay. It also makes for a great electrolyte, so every time you feel dehydrated, load up on some coconut water and you are good to go. Available at literally every street corner in the country, to enjoy Daab, slice open the top of fresh green coconut, put in a (paper) straw, and enjoy. Don’t forget to savour the tender white flesh later!
- Kuhiyar Rox (Sugarcane Juice)
In India, summers without Kuhiyar Rox or sugarcane juice are incomplete! Not only is this juice tasty, but super healthy too. It makes for an energy drink and helps build up plasma and body fluids, helping you counter dehydration and dullness. You can also make it at home. Wash the sugarcanes well and peel the hard outer layer of the cane with a big knife. Now cut them into small pieces and grind with some water. Take out the sugarcane extract along with the juice in a big container. Take another container and place a muslin cloth or strainer on it. Squeeze the juice out of the extract pressing through the cloth or strainer. If you don’t find it easy, squeeze the juice with your hand. Strain the juice again as it may still have some extract. Add mint leaves, black salt, chaat masala, and lemon juice for the extra punch of flavours!
- Thekera Tenga Sorbot (Garcinia Pedunculata Juice)
Thekera Tenga Sorbot is a traditional summer cooler prepared with dried Bar Thekera/Garcinia Pedunculata. Thekera is known for its sourness and is often used as a souring agent in Assamese cuisine. To prepare the juice, soak four to five pieces of dried thekera in a glass of water for about two hours. Strain the water. You can drink it as it is, or add salt and sugar as per your taste preference. A glass of Thekera Tenga Sorbot every day can improve digestion, boost immunity, regulate metabolism, and promote cardiovascular and digestive wellness.
- Bael Sorbot (Wood Apple Juice)
Bael or wood apple is loaded with cooling and medicinal properties. Although its shell is hard to break, the pulp inside is quite soft and maudlin. Bael juice is extracted from this mushy pulp and it is yellowish-orange in colour with a sweet taste. This drink can treat many illnesses including digestive problems, constipation, and bloating. This juice also improves metabolism and thus aids in weight loss. Take a medium-sized bael fruit and hit it with some hard object to break open the shell. Scoop out the pulp using a spoon. Remove the seeds. Add one glass of water to this pulp and soak it for an hour. Pour it into a food processor and blend for two to three minutes. Strain the juice and sprinkle some black salt, black pepper powder, and cumin seed powder. Since the fruit is naturally sweet, you need not add any additional sugar.
- Bhim Kol Sorbot (musa balbisiana)
Bhim Kol (musa balbisiana colla) is an indigenous variety of banana found in Assam. This seeded variety of banana has numerous benefits and is an excellent energy booster. Take one or two ripe bananas, slice a few pieces or mash them, and soak them in water overnight. Strain and consume the water the next morning.
Bhim Kol Sorbot is also known as Juroni Pani. You can also eat the slices or mashed bananas with a pinch of black salt.
