For many, each day begins with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, and end with a soothing cup of turmeric milk, dotted with many more refreshing glassfuls and cupfuls of beverages had through the day. That is how deeply beverages are intertwined with our lives.
Be it summer or winter, a relaxed vacation or a hurried work day, beverages – hot or cold, light or heavy, sweet or herby – are always there to keep us company.
Whether it is the Masala Chai that warms your soul, the Milkshakes and Smoothies like Almond and Banana Smoothie , Chickoo Milkshake and Chocolate Milkshake that are had with breakfast or as a mid-day snack to satiate your hunger pangs, or the Jaljeera or Chaas had with lunch, beverages and liquid drinks are an enjoyable part of our everyday routine! Discover a treasure trove of such refreshing and satiating beverages in this section.
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Sharbets and Indian Drinks bring back memories of festive occasions when steady streams of visitors are enthusiastically entertained and treated to mouth-watering snacks and mithai accompanied by these rejuvenating drinks.
Any Indian household keeps a handy stock of ingredients needed to make drinks like Chaas , Cardamom Lassi , Kairi ka Pani , etc., especially on hot summer days.
Its a ritual in India, when anyone comes home, not to let them go without having anything. So these drinks are very handy and are prepared just in few minutes and can be served to the visitors. Every region has their traditional specialty. So be ready to find a collection of such drinks in this section.
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Indian tea recipe collection. chai recipes. More than being a mere beverage, tea is a comfort drink to many. It has an instant pick-me-up effect. Whether one is tired, fed up or unwell, the most preferred reaction is to take a tea-break! Since our childhood days, we have all witnessed the chai-wallahs, joyfully peddling tea from insulated drums affixed on the rears of cycles. At beaches, parks, markets and in office areas, his ware is eagerly consumed by tea lovers, even though it is a simple milk tea sometimes with a touch of ginger or cardamom – nothing exotic, but it offers simple homely comfort to the drinker.
Evolving taste for tea
Today, the taste for tea has evolved and we find the chai-wallahs competing with dispensing machines (nothing more than a runner-up in the race!) and tea shops that sell dozens of varieties of green, black and chaai teas reinforced with spices and herbs. With people developing a taste for black and green teas, it has become common for offices to have tea counters with different varieties of tea bags, slices of lemon, pots of honey and sometimes spice powders too.
People are becoming more knowledgeable about the different types of tea, and are beginning to try tea from different regions, of different stages of fermentation and so on. You have varieties like Oolong, which were not much-known a decade back, finding a prominent place in store shelves. Over their cup of tea, nowadays many people are discussing tea itself rather than topics of national importance!
Indeed, tea is a magical and versatile beverage. Every person has their favourite brew – black, milky, hot, cold, plain, masaledar, and so on, and depending on how it is made, tea can not only wake you up but also soothe you and warm your soul when you feel down in the dumps! And of course, there is always ‘chai pe charcha’ with friends and colleagues, which is obviously incomplete without the perfect cuppa!
All about Indian teas
In Indian supermarkets, we commonly come across green teas and black teas. Green tea is unfermented tea while black tea is fully-fermented. In between these two, there is a semi-fermented tea called Oolong tea, which is also readily available in stores these days. Oolong is gaining popularity because of its distinct flavour and digestive benefits.
A word about Orange Pekoe
Amongst black teas, Orange Pekoe is the highest grade, while dust is the lowest quality. Leaf tea is graded between these two. A blend of leaf and dust is ideal for making chaai. Orange Pekoe tea, which is best had without milk, is the highest quality of black tea, picked with the balls of the fingertips, untouched by fingernails or cutting tools. This keeps the bud intact. The best quality of Orange Pekoe has only the tea bud, while the rest is graded depending on the number of leaves that were plucked with the bud.
Ever wondered what is CTC?
You will also often come across the term CTC when you are shopping for teas. CTC, which stands for Crush-Tear-Curl is a method of processing tea to make it into uniformly-sized granules. Here, the tea is passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with sharp teeth that crush, tear and curl the tea into small and hard pellets or granules. Tea of different grades, from different plantations, can all be dumped into the roller to make a good, strong CTC tea. While CTC is ideal for making traditional Indian milk tea or chaai, it is not for the tea connoisseur who likes to compare and relish teas from different plantations, because the CTC process tends to homogenize the flavour of the teas. CTC or mamri tea from Assam and Nilgiris are quite popular.
Debatable definitions of white tea
We also see white teas in the market these days. Although there is no fixed definition or standard for white teas, the generally accepted norm is that it is made from tender or young tea buds and is minimally processed. The buds are harvested at a stage when the plant is still immature – the bud is still covered with a white fibrous material and the leaves are yet to unfurl fully. At this stage, the buds are carefully plucked, minimally processed and packed. White tea is supposed to be burgeoning with Antioxidants, and is touted to have Heart-friendly, skin-friendly and Cancer-fighting effects.
If you are going to have a cup of black or green tea without milk, remember that the tea should not be boiled in water. Bring the water to a boil and take it off the stove. Let it cool for just a few seconds before adding the tea leaves and natural flavourers. Cover, and let it infuse for a few minutes. Then strain and enjoy hot. You can spruce it up with a little sugar, a dash of honey or a squeeze of lemon. If you look into the cup, your black or green tea should be clear, not muddy.
India’s favourite drink though is the comforting chaai, made with milk. Generally, the water, milk and tea leaves are boiled together and simmered for a minute or two. This mixture is then allowed to brew off the stove for a few more minutes and then filtered to make a deliciously milky beverage. You can sweeten your tea with cane sugar, palm sugar or jaggery, or just have it without sugar. The milky chaai is usually perked up with spices to make all-time favourites like the soothing Cardamom Chaai or peppy Masala Chaai. You can make your Chaai Masala at home for a more vibrant flavour than store-bought ones. Throw in some herbs like lemongrass and mint to add a bright and cheery note to your chaai.
When down in the dumps, go for a tisane
When you are feeling low, go for a tisane rather than a caffeinated drink. Tisanes are basically herbal teas, mostly made without any tea in it! Put the kettle on, and once the water boils, throw in some herbs and spices and let them infuse for a few minutes. Strain and enjoy your delicious herbal tea! It’s as easy as that. Although readymade tisanes are available as tea-bags, none can match the flavour of a freshly-brewed cuppa. For digestion, immunity or weight-loss – you can make a tisane to aid in any healthful goal. Known as kashayam, kadha, kashaya or kwath, herbal teas are part and parcel of Indian culture!
A tisane need not always be a fiery concoction that makes you sweat. You can also have very pleasant tisanes made of hibiscus or rose petals with a touch of honey and a dash of cinnamon.
A peppy combo of Fresh Mint and Lemon is sure to wake up your senses, while a cup of Ginger Cinnamon tea will help relieve cold or hyperacidity. A pleasant Fennel Tea is just right to relieve you of constipation, while a Honey Ginger Tea is a mouth-watering home remedy for cough and cold. Tulsi-based herbal teas are also very popular these days.
Regional and seasonal favourite teas
There are also several regional favourites like Mumbai’s Cutting Chaai, Mangalorean Tea (Kasai or Kadha), Gujarati Ukado, and the spicy South Indian Jaggery Tea. International favourites include the Turkish Pomegranate Tea, Lebanese Tea, the Fruity Chinese Tea and more.
You can also pick your cuppa depending on the season. Go for warm gingery tones in the winter, while picking something cooling like the Sandalwood Tea in the hot summer months.
If your masala dabba is well stocked with fresh spices, you can mix-and-match them to make an endless variety of teas. You can also experiment with dynamic, fresh ingredients like rose, mint, hibiscus, basil, fruits and so on, to make a wide range of revitalizing and flavourful teas. Unleash your imagination to make each day’s tea-time different from the rest. And do not forget the tea-time snacks!
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Enjoy our Indian tea recipe collection. chai recipe and other drink articles below.
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Juices serve two purposes at one go – refreshment and nutrition too! Although it is best to have whole fruits, juices come in handy for an extra dose of nutrition or when you do not have time to munch on a bowlful of fruits.
Toss a medley of tasty stuff into the blender and in minutes you have a rejuvenating and mouth-watering drink that you can have immediately or on-the-go.
Lose yourself in the flavour-packed magic of drinks like the Fruit Punch , Fruity Mango Juice , Nimbu Pani , etc.
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Rare is the person who can refuse a glass of milkshake or smoothie without feeling a twinge of regret! The luscious consistency, chill and creamy mouth-feel and exciting flavours of shakes and smoothies are so enticing that everybody loves them. Milkshakes and smoothies can be categorized as sumptuous or filling beverages. They are not just drinks but beverages that can be had as a snack or a meal itself!
Milkshakes are usually made with milk and other ingredients like fruits, nuts or ice-cream. On the other hand, a smoothie is thicker and is made with Curds or Ice-Cream as the base along with a variety of fruits and other ingredients. There is no right or wrong combination of ingredients for milkshakes and smoothies. Working around a base of Milk or curd respectively, you can customize your milkshake or smoothie as per your likes and dislikes. There is a chocolaty shake for the chocolate lover, a fruity one for the fruit freak. There is a creamy coconut milk smoothie for the vegan and a nutty delight for the foodie. As you like it, so you can make it. It can be made as indulgent or healthy as you want, for each age group. Naturally, these beverages are loved by kids and adults alike.
Top 10 Milkshake Recipes
Go for your pick of fruity milkshakes like the Chickoo and Nut Milkshake, Mango Milkshake or the Sitaphal Milkshake, or go for an indulgent chocolaty one like the Kit Kat Milkshake with Ice-Cream or the Oreo Milkshake.
Couple your milkshake with a Burger or a plate of fries and you have a filling Snack in front of you!
| Top 10 Milkshake Recipes | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Cold Cocoa Milkshake |
| 2. | Chickoo and Nut Milkshake |
| 3. | Kit Kat Milkshake with Ice- Cream |
| 4. | Oreo Milkshake |
| 5. | Mango Milkshake |
| 6. | Vanilla Milkshake |
| 7. | Bourbon Milkshake |
| 8. | Sitaphal Milkshake |
| 9. | Chocolate Milkshake |
| 10. | Caramel Popcorn Milkshake |
Top 10 Smoothie Recipes
A smoothie is the best option when you do not have time for a heavy Breakfast. They are quick and easy to make but quite healthy and filling depending on what you pop into your blender. Try the Almond Banana Smoothie, Melon Smoothie, Mango and Pineapple Smoothie or the Kiwi Smoothie for fruity delights. Or indulge in a smoothie with an exotic international touch like the Thai Smoothie. The most unexpected ingredients can end up making awesome smoothies, such as the Jamun Smoothie.
| Top 10 Smoothie Recipes | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Almond Banana Smoothie |
| 2. | Thai Smoothie |
| 3. | Kiwi Smoothie |
| 4. | Mango and Pineapple Smoothie |
| 5. | Melon Smoothie |
| 6. | Papaya Melon Smoothie |
| 7. | Pear and Pomegranate Smoothie |
| 8. | Papaya and Green Apple Smoothie |
| 9. | Apple Smoothie |
| 10. | Jamun Smoothie |
So, you are enticed by the idea of smoothies and shakes and are raring to try your hand at it? Well, you can try these and many more recipes on our website. Plus, as we mentioned there is no limit to the combos you can make, so you can come up with any number of delightful smoothies and shakes by yourself. To ensure that you always get your smoothies and shakes right, following these five simple pointers:
1. Clean your blender after every use, so that it does not smell bad the next time you make a smoothie or shake in it.
2. Use chilled curds, milk and fruits to make your shake. You will get the right consistency and a vibrant taste too.
3. Go for a good quality blender so that the smoothies and shakes can be made nice and smooth.
4. Always pick fruits that are perfectly ripe. Raw or over-ripe fruits will totally ruin the taste.
5. As milk, curds and fruits are used, it is best to consume the milkshakes and smoothies immediately after preparation. At the most have them within 2 or 3 hours.
The world of milkshakes and smoothies is limitless! These are popular all over the world, so in any part of the world if you are hungry, you can rest assured that you will at least get a milkshake or a smoothie to appease your growling tummy. There are some evergreen milkshakes and smoothies, and several innovative ones that can be found on our website, but beyond that there is a whole gamut of unexplored recipes resting in your head, so just unleash your imagination and get going!
mocktail recipes | indian mocktail recipes. Have fun without alcohol! Mocktails are generally the non-alcoholic versions of popular cocktails. They bring together several exciting flavours in one exciting format.
Strawberry cocktail, if strawberries are in season, this drink has to be on the table! Juicy fresh strawberries are combined with orange juice and garnished with a dainty strawberry fan. It is a perfect drink to serve at fine dining parties, thanks to its charming look!
Also, experience the magic with tongue-tickling options like the Apple Fizz and Cinderella.
Fruit-based Mocktail Recipes
One of the most popular welcome drinks served at most parties is fruit-based mocktails. It might be a combination of fresh fruit juices or readymade juices. Anyway, it is a delightful blend of colours and flavors that would entice your taste buds and refresh your senses. The heady aroma will surely lift up your mood and reenergize you. Make sure you blend fruits with contrasting taste, the sharp and rejuvenating flavors will really shake awake your taste buds! Here are a few of my favorite Indian mockatil recipes that you can try making at your next party and surprise your guests:
3. Quick Pineapple and Mango Drink
Mocktail Recipes with Soda
An addition of soda not only makes it bubbly but also, makes it a fresh thirst-quenching drink. One thing that you must make sure is to use chilled soda because you have to serve immediately after mixing. If you refrigerate it after preparation, it will lose the fizz and flavor. So always use really chilled soda. Beverages like the Lemon Ice- Cream Soda and Fresh Sweet Lemon Soda are not only popular summer drinks but are also, preferred to aid digestion after a heavy meal. Apart from this, you make beautiful drinks like the Melon and Ice- Cream Fizzy Drink, Pink Lemonade and Mixed Fruits Orange and Ginger Punch. Enjoy the myriad flavors and textures that these mocktail recipes presents!
Refreshing Non-Alcoholic Party Drinks
Many people think parties are incomplete without alcohol but, we are here to vanish your misconception. The most popular cocktail Mojito has been transformed into a delightful Virgin Mint Cucumber Mojito. Ingredients like mint, lemon and sugar are muddled together and topped with soda. Virgin Pina Colada with a brilliant combination of pineapple juice and coconut milk bound together by vanilla ice-cream is a great drink to make on a warm day! Also, non-alcoholic Margarita is a perfect drink to serve at kitty parties and get-togethers.
Serve these with delicious kitty party snacks like Fried Mozzarella Sticks, Stuffed Monaco Biscuit Sev Puri or Aloo Chaat Tacos to accompany your mocktails .
Check our collection of 335 Indian Mocktails recipes and try them at home now.
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Be it desserts or drinks, chocolate is an all-time favourite flavour with people of all age groups. Across the world, both hot and cold Chocolate Drinks are very popular.
You can make innumerable chocolaty beverages like Choco Shake , Hot Chocolate , Oreo Milkshake , etc., using not just plain cocoa powder but also other ingredients like chocolate ice-cream, chocolate bars and chocolate-flavoured biscuits.
Follow the chocolaty trail in this section to get a variety for all occasions and moods.
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It is a misconception that tasty juices and hot beverages are always loaded with sugar, milk and other fattening ingredients. If you keep a tab of what goes into that cuppa or glassful, you can easily trim off the calories and make a refreshing, low-cal beverage.
Drinks like the Carrot and Orange Juice and Beet Treat are full of flavour but come without any guilt in the package!
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Variety is the spice of life, and so proves a cocktail. Usually featuring a splash of colours and flavours, cocktails are made by combining different flavoured drinks (with or without alcohol) to make one peppy glassful.
Try some refreshing alcohol-free options like the Peach Pina Colada , Papaya Passion and Guava Punch for parties or a get together. It surely will be a differnt cocktsil thsn the ususl ones that are served.
Siders like the Aloo Cheese Croquettes or the Broccoli and Cheese Balls or the Cheese Poppers go well with these cocktails and are sure to delight the guest.
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Coffee is one flavour that never fails to shake awake our senses, however tired we are! Here are some cold as well as hot coffee-based beverages.
Reboot your day with recipes like the Coffee Frappe , Cold Coffee Recipe and Orange Coffee.
For coffee lovers anything with coffee flavour is a hit. They try to mix and innovate with coffee. So this section find some more coffee flavoured beverages to please your taste buds.
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Most households have a few Squashes and Syrups handy in the kitchen, to entertain sudden guests within minutes, without much ado. These drinks, like say a glassful of Kokum Sherbet , can also be lifesavers when you come home tired on a hot day and want some instant refreshment.
Just take a few tablespoons of the squash or syrup, dilute with water and your favourite drink is ready to relish!
Mint is always a great value-add to any citrus flavour, be it orange or lemon. Mint leaves mixed into a tangy orange-flavoured soda makes a totally refreshing drink like this Mint and Orange Drink, which is wonderful to have chilled on a hot summer’s day. So are lemon and khus syrup like the Khus Lime Cup.
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335 Beverages Mocktails Recipes
51 Beverages Tea Recipes
Happy Cooking!