Though it’s just the end of the first week of March today, the sun gets more merciless by the day, and signals us to be prepared for a scorcher of a summer ahead. And what better way to do that than by partaking of the most delicious and yet healthy cold drinks around. From the ubiquitous lassi to the roadside neera and sugarcane juices to the favourite of the yuppies – the iced mocha and cappuccino -- there’s something for everyone out there.

“I down atleast three glasses of summer coolers in the heat of the season. But since this year it’s unusually hot, I’m already having two drinks, a glass of sugarcane juice and another one of cold coffee,” says Sabrina Joshi, a college goer and foodie. “My favourite hangout during the summers is sometimes the roadside vendor and at others the various coffee shops around town,” she adds.

A favourite of many a working professional and college goer, the roadside vendors of sugarcane juice or the refreshing neera are packed from March to June, with business being brisk and the neera flowing continuously. Ravi Thakur, a banking professional says he has to compulsively have a glass of the cheap, revitalising drink. “Especially when the heat is terrible, it’s really good to have neera or sugarcane juice, if the former’s not available. It’s become a habit with me now,” he says.

There are those, though, who prefer to laze around in the comfort of an air-conditioned coffee shop and get a taste of the variety of iced drinks on offer. “My favourite has to be the Irish Latte, which has a strong yet refreshing taste to it. Then there’s also the choice of chilled watermelon and blueberry crush,” says Valay Shankar, a recent graduate, on the look out for a job.

Plus, for the more conventional, there’s always the good ‘ol strawberry shake and crush, available across the length and breadth of the city. Better still, this is one drink that can be made one at home in a matter of minutes and leave you revelling in the freshness and lingering, crunchy taste of the strawberry seeds. “My kids want to have strawberry milkshake all the time, and that’s why I bought several bottles of strawberry crush on my last trip to Mahabaleshwar. Now, they can have it to their hearts content and I’m relieved that they won’t spend money on expensive coffee or frequent roadside drinks stalls,” says Roma George, homemaker and mother of two.

Be it the lassi or chaas or neera, the refreshing fresh lime soda and the luscious strawberry crush or even the thick, creamy cold coffee in a range of flavours, come summer and the choice for your favourite cooler just keeps getting better and better. So, instead of grumbling about the scorching heat, make the most of the season with these delicious cool treats.

Kiwi Cooler

Ingredients

2 kiwis peeled and sliced

2 apples cored, peeled and sliced

Juice of 1/2 a lime

1 medium-sized cup of orange juice

Method:

To make this quick smoothie, just place all ingredients into a blender and mix for a minute till smooth. Garnish with diced black grapes or strawberry and enjoy.

Mango Pina Colada

Ingredients

2 fresh mangoes or packaged mango juice

1 teacup coconut milk

3 to 4 teaspoons sugar

Crushed ice

Method