Healthy Indian Summer Drinks for Kids: Refreshing, Nutritious, and Kid-Approved!

Summertime calls for tasty ice cream dates, refreshing juice parties, and poolside fun for your little ones. The long vacations give them the freedom to spend their days playing out in the sun and enjoying themselves with their friends. 

However, as parents, the scorching heat becomes a big concern for your child’s health. The main problem faced by children during summer is dehydration, caused due to loss of water during sweating. 

This article will discuss some amazing Indian summer drinks for kids that are good in taste and loaded with nutritional benefits. We have added the recipes for summer drinks to help you prepare them for your children this summer season. Let’s start: 

Why is Hydration Essential for Kids in Summer?

Water is an essential part of your child’s diet routine in summer. It helps various bodily functions to work, ensuring healthy growth. The pointers here will discuss the various benefits water offers for your little one’s wellness:

1. Manages body temperature

Children are more likely to get affected by heat-related illnesses than adults due to faster metabolism. When they play outdoors, the little ones lose water through sweating. A lack of water in the body can make it difficult for the body to release sweat, causing various health issues like heat stroke.

2. Aids digestion & nutrient absorption 

Keeping your child well-hydrated can help improve their digestion. It helps in nutrient absorption to ensure healthy growth and development. Dehydration can affect your baby’s digestive health by causing problems like indigestion, constipation, gas, or pain.

3. Enhances energy level

Water plays a crucial role in keeping your little one energetic in everything they love. It helps transport oxygen and essential nutrients to cells, ensuring that muscles and organs work properly. Less water in the body can make kids feel tired, weak, and less active. 

4. Prevents dehydration

Kids lose essential minerals and fluids while sweating. This leads to dehydration, causing dizziness, fatigue, and weakness. Teach your little one to drink water frequently, especially after they play outdoors.

5. Boosts immunity

Water is essential in detoxification, which refers to the removal of toxins from the body. The process helps strengthen the natural immune system against various illnesses.

6. Improves cognitive health

Like most body functions, water is an important medium for the smooth functioning of your child’s cognitive health. Hydration helps improve focus, memory, and mood, allowing kids to give their best at home and school. 

Benefits of Traditional Indian Summer Drinks

Imagine the hot afternoon in your house. And suddenly, your mother comes with a refreshing glass of her homemade summer drink. Sounds blissful, right? Well, these summer drinks are not just good in taste but also offer various health benefits for your little ones. Take a look:

• Homemade summer drinks are prepared using natural ingredients like fruits, herbs, and condiments. They are free from chemicals and preservatives found in packaged beverages. 

• Traditional Indian summer drinks like Nimbu pani help keep the body hydrated and cool after the body loses water in sweat. The high level of electrolytes ensures relief from dehydration during summer. 

• These drinks are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote healthy growth and development in kids. They also improve energy and stamina levels in children. 

• Refined sugar is a major constituent in carbonated beverages. However, Indian summer drinks are prepared using natural sweeteners like honey, mishri, etc.

Top Healthy Indian Summer Drinks for Kids

Given here is a list of flavorsome and cooling Indian summer drinks for kids.

Nimbu Pani (Lemonade)

Summer afternoons can get very hot for our little ones. They are likely to lose energy and feel drained after coming from school. Preparing a refreshing glass of nimbu pani can be a nice way to bring back their lost energy and improve their mood. This popular summer drink gives back the electrolytes lost during sweat. Moreover, it fights dehydration, boosts energy, and increases vitamin C levels in the body. 

Recipe:

• Squeeze 1 lemon into a glass of water.

• Add 1 tbsp honey to add sweetness. 

• Add a pinch of rock salt. 

• Stir well and serve chilled.

Honey must be used for kids aged 1 year and above only. 

Aam Panna (Raw Mango Drink)

If your kid loves tangy flavors, they will love aam panna. Aam panna is a popular summer drink that offers instant cooling to the body. It is prepared with raw mangoes, mint, and a few Indian kitchen spices. The drink is packed with Vitamin C and helps prevent heat-related issues. Plus, it improves digestion and strengthens immunity. The fun, sweet-sour taste makes it a favorite summer drink for kids. 

Recipe:

• Boil & peel 2 raw mangoes.

• Add 2 tbsp jaggery and ½ tsp cumin powder

• Add black salt to your taste.

• Mix with cold water & serve. 

Coconut Water

Coconut water is one of the best summer drinks for kids. It is known to increase the level of electrolytes in the body lost in sweat. The water is rich in essential nutrients and helps keep the body hydrated. Moreover, regular use of coconut water strengthens immunity, improves digestion, and eases stress. Always try to use fresh coconut water instead of packaged as the latter contains preservatives and refined sugar. 

Buttermilk (Chaas)

Your child’s meals are incomplete without a glass of buttermilk in summer. This natural probiotic has multiple benefits to keep your little one’s tummy healthy and happy. It improves the digestive system, cools the stomach, and prevents dehydration. Lastly, the summer drink is rich in calcium and protein to support the growth and development of the body and mind. 

Herbal Milk Mix Drink

Milk is an essential part of your child’s diet in their growth years. The beverage is rich in calcium, carbohydrates, vitamin D and B12, fats, and other nutrients. It helps strengthen bones and teeth, promote muscle growth, support brain and memory, and improve energy levels.

Make this nutritious beverage your kid’s favorite with Ayurvedic milk mixes. These herbal milk powders are made using Ayurvedic herbs and natural sweeteners that are gentle and nutritious for your children. Moreover, they come in tasty flavors like chocolate that kids enjoy. Some of the best herbal milk mix drinks are Kesar Haldi Milk Mix and Chocolate Milk Mix. 

Fresh Sugarcane Juice

Fresh Sugarcane juice is the perfect summer drink for kids who love sweets. This juice is rich in iron, calcium, and antioxidants. It cools the body, increases energy, aids digestion, and keeps your child refreshed. Be sure to give freshly squeezed sugarcane juice to your little one. 

Lassi

Lassi is a popular beverage prepared using curd. It is a natural coolant and has a lot of protein content. The drink strengthens bones, supports digestion, and keeps kids refreshed in the hot weather. 

Recipe :

• Blend ½ cup curd with ½ cup water.

• Add jaggery/honey.

• Add powdered cardamom and mix well. 

• Serve chilled.

Drinks to Avoid for Kids During Summer

Your kids love enjoying refreshing beverages in summer. However, the list here highlights the drinks you must avoid for your child:

• Sugary soft drinks and sodas

• Packaged juices

• Caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee, and energy refreshers

• Artificially Flavored milk shakes and syrups

Beat the Heat with India’s Best Local Refreshments Map

Discover India's coolest local drinks with this curated map! From tangy Nimbu pani to Creamy Lassi, explore the best regional refreshments to stay hydrated and refreshed all summer.

Conclusion

Every time your child steps out of the house in the scorching heat, they are going to sweat and lose water. The best way to keep them hydrated and refreshed is to give them homemade nutritious drinks instead of carbonated, packaged ones. Filled with nutrients, these Indian summer beverages are flavorsome treats to keep your child healthy and energetic all day long. Make these fun drinks and enjoy them with your little ones.