Cucumber has hydrating properties and valuable nutrients. They are naturally low in calories, carbs, sodium, fat and cholesterol. They are 95 percent water and hydration is the biggest benefit of Cucumber. Especially during the summer. Another great fruit Pomegranate seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber and there are lot of other benefits of Pomegranate. So let us put both of it in a glass and make a punch to quench our thirst in the scorching summer day.

Preparation time: 20minutes

Servings: 3

Kitchen instrument: Blender

Difficulty level: 1/10

Ingredient:

-         3 medium cucumber

-         1 large Lemon

-         1 large pomegranate

-         10-12 mint leaves

-         1/2 Sanchal (Kala namak/Black Salt)

Preparation:

1.       Peel Cucumber and cut into small pieces

2.       Take out the seeds from the Pomegranate.

3.       Wash mint leaves and put them in blender along with cucumber and pomegranate seeds.

4.       Blend all of it to make juice.

5.       Now with a fine strainer, drain the juice so that coarse and unnecessary part of the vegetable and Pomegranate is left behind. You can also use thin cloth to strain the juice.

6.       Now in a bigger pot add 2 glass of water and the juice.

7.       Add Sanchal and lemon juice and mix well.

8.       Now serve it on rocks.

9.       Garnish with mint leaves and pomegranate seeds.

Tips:

-         Be careful to remove white portion of pomegranate. if this is crushed in blender along with seeds, it can turn bitter. Also, if the natural sweetness of pomegranate is not enough, you can add some sugar per your taste.

Very quick recipe for using all the summer cooler ingredients. Mango pineapple and Coconut trusted and tested ingredients and excellent combination. Oh yes and I like to add chocolate flakes. You can serve with ice-cream of your choice or whipped cream.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Kitchen instrument: Blender

Difficulty level: 1/10

Ingredient:

-         3 mangoes

-         1 canned pineapple

-         1/2  fresh coconut

-         4 to 5 cups of ice

-         2 to 3 tsp Sugar (optional)

-         Grated chocolate

Preparation:

1.      Peel, Pit and cut mangoes into small pieces.

2.      Cut canned pineapples into small pieces.

3.      Cut fresh coconut into small pieces.

4.      Blend al the ingredient with ice in a blender.

5.      Garnish with chocolate flakes and serve.

6.      You can also serve it with chocolate ice-cream.

7.      You can add pieces of mangoes and pineapple.

Iced tea (or ice tea) is a form of cold tea. Though usually served in a glass with ice, it can also refer to a tea that has been chilled or cooled. It may or may not be sweetened. According to me it is one of the best summer drink. By adding fruits to ice tea let us make it more colorful and refreshing.

Preparation: 30 minutes

Servings: 4-5

Kitchen equipment: None

Ingredients:

-          Fruits- Kiwi, pomegranate, pineapple, lemon and watermelon

-          Tea bag

-          1/2 cup sugar

-          1 tsp lemon juice

Preparation:

1.      In a pan add 4-5 cups of water

2.      Bring it to boil and turn off the heat.

3.      Add sugar and lemon juice.

4.      Put I tea bag and cover for 10 minutes.

5.      Let it cool for 10 minutes.

6.      Dice all the fruits small and in separate bowls add some tea liquid and fruits.

7.      Make separate bowls for each fruit.

8.      Now pour into ice tray and freeze it for 6-7 hours.

9.      Put rest of the tea into refrigerator to cool.

10.  When serving, fill the whole glass with fruit cubes and serve adding iced tea liquid.

Tips:

You can serve the fruit cubes with soda or juice. Also, you can add fruits of your choice

On a chilly winter lazy afternoon, all you need is something warm to sip on, your favourite paperback, and a lounge chair. To help you with the preparation of drink, I will share a winter warmer drink recipe.

Ingredients:

-          1/2 tsp tea powder (chai patti)

-          1/2 cup sugar

-          5 cups of water

-          1 navel orange

-          1 lemon

-          3 tsp honey

-          8 cloves

-          Pinch of nutmeg

-          1 tsp sliced ginger

-          5 whole Cinnamon sticks

-          1 tsp pieces of cinnamon stick

Preparation:

-          In a pan, add water, tea and ginger and bring it to simmer.

-          With a vegetable peeler, peel orange and lemon.

-          Add the lemon and orange zest to the pan.

-          Now add cloves, nutmeg, pieces of cinnamon sticks and let it simmer for 30 minutes without covering.

-          Now add Sugar and Honey and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

-          Turn of the heat and drain the drink into a jug.

-          In a mug, put one cinnamon stick and pour the hot drink on the top.

-          Winter warmer is ready to serve.

Tips:  The Drink can be made stronger by adding even cardamom seeds. Add more or less honey and sugar as per your choice. Even adding more ginger will make It stronger. Do not boil the drink just let it simmer.