As the hot and humid weather dawns, there’s only one thing that truly gives a sense of respite — a refreshing sharbat!

Summer drinks have been popular since time immemorial.

An anecdotal story also claims that Mughal emperor Babur would send people to the peaks of the Himalayas to fetch fresh ice to make him sharbat.

Whatever may be the origin, sharbat, squashes, and locally brewed beverages have continued to quench our thirst and satisfy our senses for centuries.

Take for instance Jammu’s babri beol, a drink made of basil seeds, milk, water, and coconut.

Pic source: Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji

Or the Konkan Coast’s sol kadi made with coconut milk and kokum syrup with a surprising kick of chillies and spices like cumin and mustard seeds.

Pic source: Cook with Renu

As you move eastward, you have the gondhoraj ghol — West Bengal’s version of buttermilk made out of curd, black salt, sugar, iced water and the aromatic brilliance of the Gondhoraj juice extracted out of an oblong-shaped dark green coloured lemon.

Pic source: Kitchen Mai

While these are some popular summer drinks, here’s the map in its entirety.

Pic source: Kitchen Mai

Go get your hands on your favourite summer drink and let’s relive childhood nostalgia!

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