Under the hot sun, we always feel the heat is endless. There’s nothing better than cooling down with a refreshing drink. Many like a slight touch of spices and aroma in fresh juices, so choosing cardamom would be the best option. These green pods add a great flavour, along with a hint of sweetness and many cooling properties that make them ideal for summer drinks.

Here are the 5 cardamom-based summer drinks that you must try this season. They’re easy to prepare, healthy, and guaranteed to refresh you.

1. Cardamom Lemonade

In hindi, we call it as Elaichi Nimbu Pani. We all love a glass of chilled lemonade on a hot summer day. But adding a pinch of cardamom powder takes this desi drink to the next level. The cardamom’s slight spiciness beautifully balances the lemon’s tartness and adds a twist of aroma. This is considered one of the best summer drinks.

To make this first, have the following ingredients,

• 1 glass of chilled water
• 1 medium-sized lemon
• Mint leaves
• 1 to 2 tsp of sugar (adjust according to taste)
• A pinch of black salt & ground cardamom
• Ice cubes

Process of making it,

Just mix lemon juice, sugar, salt and cardamom powder in water. After adding everything, stir well until the sugar dissolves. And add ice cubes and garnish with mint leaves. Enjoy your elaichi nimbu pani chilled.

Benefits of Consuming it,

• It helps with digestion.
• It hydrates you quickly & balances electrolytes.
• It has a cooling and soothing flavour that instantly refreshes you.

2. Cardamom Iced Tea

Tea is not just a winter drink. It becomes a summer drink when made with the right twist. Adding cardamom to it gives a homey taste as it adds a floral, slightly citrusy aroma to black tea. Iced tea is a summer classic, though.

To make this first, have the following ingredients,

• 2 cups of water
• 2 Black tea bags
• 3 to 4 crushed cardamom pods
• Either honey or sugar to taste
• Lemon Slices (It’s Optional)
• Ice cubes

Process of making it,

First, boil water with crushed cardamom pods for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add tea bags and let them steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bags and strain the tea. Once it’s slightly cooled, add sugar and chill it in the fridge. Then serve over ice with a lemon slice. 

3. Cardamom Buttermilk 

This is also called elaichi chaas. As we already know, buttermilk is considered a traditional digestive cooler commonly known in Indian households. It is most commonly flavoured with cumin. So, adding cardamom to it gives a soft and sweet twist. And consuming it after a meal or as an afternoon drink is great.

To make this first, have the following ingredients,

• 1 cup plain yoghurt
• 1.5 cups of chilled water
• Salt to taste
• ¼ tsp roasted cumin powder
• ¼ tsp cardamom powder
• Finely chopped  coriander leaves or mint (optional)
• Crushed Ice

Process of making it,

• In a bowl, take some curd and whisk until it’s smooth. Then, add chilled water and whisk again till it is well combined. Add salt, cumin powder, and cardamom powder and mix well. 
• Then, pour into glasses and top with a few mint leaves or coriander and add ice cubes and serve.

4. Cardamom Rose Milk

Rose and cardamom perfectly blend with each other. This drink not only looks good, but also has cooling, fragrant and calming properties in it. It’s especially good after a long sunny day or after sunset during fasting time.

To make this first, have the following ingredients,

• 1 cup of chilled full-cream milk (boiled and cooled)
• 2 to 3 tsp of rose syrup (like rooh afza or homemade)
• A pinch of cardamom powder
• Sugar to taste
• 1 tsp of soaked badam pisin (Optional)
• 1 tsp of soaked chia seeds (Optional)
• Ice cubes or crushed ice

Process of making it,

In a glass pour chilled milk, add rose syrup and ground cardamom to it. Then add sugar, badam pisin and chia seeds and mix well using a spoon. Add ice to it and serve chilled.

5. Cardamom Mango Smoothie

The summer season calls for mango with it. And it is called the king of Indian summers. With mangoes, cardamom goes well as it brings out their richness with a smooth and luxurious finish. This smoothie can be a great drink for breakfast or post post-workout drink. It helps in controlling the heat in the body.

To make this first, have the following ingredients,

• 1 large ripe mango, just peel and dice it.
• ½ cup of chilled milk or yoghurt 
• ¼ tsp of ground cardamom
• Honey or Jaggery to taste
• Some ice cubes

Process of making it,

• First, add chopped mangoes, then milk or yoghurt as per your preference. Add ground cardamom and sweetener to a blender. Now blend it till it gets smooth and creamy. Then add ice cubes and blend it again for a chilled smooth consistency. 

• For a dairy-free version, use almond milk or coconut milk. You can also add badam pisin or chia seeds to make it more filling.

Final Words: 

These summer drinks with cardamom are not just tasty but also go well with the body’s needs during the highest heat by giving hydration, adding cooling properties and gentle digestion support. Whether it is a tangy lemonade or creamy smoothie, cardamom adds a flavour to the drink. 

So this summer, don’t just survive heat, go deep in the flavour. Refresh yourself with this glasses of drink and keep yourself hydrated.