• Source:JND

Refreshing Sharbats For Summer: Summer is here and so is our love for sharbats. Sharbats are a traditional Middle Eastern and South Asian beverage that have been savoured by people for centuries. Sharbats are summer refreshing drinks that are generally made by mixing fruit or flower extract with water and sugar. Mostly to enhance their flavour and taste, ingredients like herbs and spices are added to it. Drinking sharbats in summer helps to keep the body cool, hydrated and refreshed. Sharbats are easy to make and are incredibly satisfying. This summer, know the origin of sharbats and quench your thirst with refreshing sharbats.

Origin Of Sharbat

Sharbat is a Persian word which means a sugar and water drink. Derived from the Arabic word ‘shariba’ which translates to ‘to drink’ in English. The oldest mention of sharbat is found in the 12th-century Persian medical encyclopaedia named Zakhireye Khwarazmshahi. The origin of sharbat is believed to be in Persia and it was introduced to India by the Mughals. Until the early 20th century, there was no knowledge of how to preserve fresh fruits. Possessing a refrigerator was a luxury affair and the fruits remained seasonal. These reasons gave rise to the making of sharbats to enjoy seasonal fruits even after their expiration dates. It is also believed that the drink has been associated with Turkey. The Ottomans drank ‘sharbat’ before and with meals.

Hydrating Sharbats For This Summer Season

Bel Ka Sharbat

This is a nutritious, hydrating and refreshing summer drink. This sharbat is made from bel, also known as wood apple. It is prepared by removing the flesh of the fruit in a bowl and water to it. It is then mashed and sieved. For flavour and taste, salt, cardamom powder, cumin powder and jaggery powder are added. Often, bel ka sharbat is garnished with fresh pudina or mint leaves and ice cubes can be added before serving.

Watermelon Sharbat

Watermelon is one of the favourite fruits of the summer season. Known for their high water content and several health benefits, watermelon sharbats are the best way to beat the summer heat. The sharbat can be prepared by removing the watermelon seeds from it and adding fennel seeds, sugar, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. You can also add honey instead of sugar for the sweet taste.

Aam Panna

This is a popular cooling summer beverage made with unripe green mangoes. It has a blend of slightly sour and sweet taste and is mostly flavoured with cardamom, cumin, and black salt. Although in some variations, aam panna can be made sweet by adding sugar or jaggery. This is a delicious drink that offers several health benefits. Packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals, aam panna is a perfect choice to boost immunity and stay hydrated during hot weather. Adding mint leaves to it provides a refreshing touch.

Daab Sharbat

This is a popular drink hailing from West Bengal which is prepared from daab, meaning tender coconut. Daat sharbat is perfect for the summer season, owing to its refreshing and cooling properties that help in keeping the body hydrated and cool. This is usually prepared with ingredients like tender coconut, lemon juice, ice cubes and salt-sugar for taste. To enhance the taste and texture of the sharbat, you can also scoop out the coconut meat, chop it roughly and add it to the drink along with ice cubes.

Mint Sharbat

Lastly, mint sharbat or pudina sharbat is a traditional and flavoured mint syrup beverage that is prepared with a whole lot of mint leaves, spices and rock sugar or mishri. You can also replace mishri with jaggery. Other ingredients like saunf, cumin powder, pepper powder, chaat masala, black salt, and lemon juice are also added to it to make it flavourful. This is a perfect summer drink known for its medicinal and health benefits that aid in digestion and constipation by reducing body temperature.

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