Home made Summer quenchers

The Hindu :Sreemathy Ramaswamy:1 june 2012

Beat the heat with these refreshing drinks

As the temperature around you soars, one is tempted to drink something ice cold. And, though there are many thirst quenchers in the market, these chilled drinks are only sugar syrups with added chemicals and artificial flavours. Home-made coolers are easy to prepare with fresh vegetables and fruits. Not only are these home-made juices good for health, they are economical as well.

COOL PINKY DELIGHT

Ingredients

Beetroot: 1 (medium)

Sugar: 250 gm

Method

Wash and peel the skin of the beetroot. Grate it. Cook the grated beetroot with two cups of water. Cool, blend, and strain the mixture. Boil the sugar till it reaches a one-string consistency. Allow the mixture to cool. Mix the syrup with the beetroot juice. Store it in a bottle and refrigerate. You can serve the drink by mixing the beetroot syrup with cold milk or by adding a drop of rose essence in it.

ORANGE TINT JUICE

Ingredients

Carrot: 3

Sugar: 250 gm

Lemon: 2

Method

Wash, peel, and then grate carrots. Boil two cups of water and add the grated carrot. Cook well. Cool the mixture and strain it. Boil water and add the sugar till it reaches a one-string consistency. Add the lemon juice and boil for five minutes. Cool and mix with carrot juice. Store the mixture in a bottle. Add cold water while serving the juice.

GREEN GINGER JUICE

Ingredients

Ginger: 150 gm

Lemon juice: 1 cup

Sugar: 250 gm

Mint leaves (pudina): 1 cup

Method

Wash and peel off the skin of the ginger. Wash again to make sure all dirt is removed. Dice the ginger and grind it into a fine paste by adding water. Strain and keep aside; white sediment will form in this mixture. Strain out the sediment. Grind the mint leaves with some water and strain. Add sugar with one cup water and boil till it reaches one-string consistency. Add the ginger juice, mint juice, and lemon juice and boil for five minutes. Let it cool. Store in a bottle. Serve the drink by adding water and ice. This drink is good for those with stomach ailments.

RED DELIGHT

Ingredients

Tomatoes: 4 or 5

Sugar: 200 gm

Lemon juice: 3 tsp

Method

Boil water, put in the tomatoes, cover the vessel, and turn off the stove. Leave it to cool. Once it is cool, peel the tomatoes and deseed it. Grind the tomatoes to a fine paste. Boil one cup of water, add the sugar and make sugar syrup.

Add the tomato paste and boil it. Add the lemon juice next and bring it to boil. Cool it. Add water and serve.