Watermelon Lemonade | Easy Drinks Recipes

I hope everyone had a wonderful Diwali. After all the festival recipes I wanted to post something simple and hence posting this simple watermelon lemonade recipe.
Watermelon is easily available through out the year these days and I like this fruit very much.I usually prefer to eat the fruit as such instead of juice but during summer I prefer to have a glass of chilled fresh juice.We can play with various ingredients and create different flavored juices and mocktail recipes.Lemonade is a simple variation to a juice where lemon is added for extra punch and the most popular fruit lemonades are the Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Mango Lemonade, Watermelon lemonade, Peach Lemonade and also there are few variations using various herbs.

If you are interested check out other interesting beverages like 

• Watermelon Juice, Mango Juice  , Musk Melon Juice
• Mango Lemonade , Watermelon Cooler
• Bonda Juice(Tender Coconut Cooler)
• Butterfruit(Avocado) Milkshake, Chikoo(Sapota) Milkshake
• Strawberry-Banana Smoothie, Oats-Fruits Smoothie., Mango Banana Smoothie 
• Sweet Lassi | Punjab Meeta Lassi, Neer More/Spiced Buttermilk

For a complete range of beverages check here.

Watermelon Lemonade | Watermelon Ginger Lemonade Recipe:

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 mins | Cooking time : 5 mins | Total time: 15 mins

Category: Beverages/Drinks

Ingredients:

3 cups Watermelon,chopped and seeded

juice of 2 Lemons

1/2" Ginger,grated (optional)

2 - 2.5 cups Cold Water or Soda

Ice cubes, to serve

for sugar syrup:

1/4 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Water

Method:

to prepare sugar syrup:

• In a vessel boil water and sugar together until you get a slight sticky syrup and leave it aside to cool completely.You can prepare this ahead and refrigerate it and use it when required,it stays good for a month.

to prepare Lemonade:

• Blend watermelon pieces with grated ginger to a smooth juice consistency and strain it through a metal strainer.
• Add lemon juice and enough cooled sugar syrup(3-4 tbsp)to it and thin it down with water or soda.Taste the juice at this point and adjust it accordingly.The addition of soda adds up a nice spritzy version to it.

Serve it with ice cubes.You can even garnish with thin lemon or watermelon slices or mint leaves.

Notes:

1. You can prepare the sugar syrup ahead and keep it handy to prepare these kind of juices and mocktails during summers.
2. You can avoid ginger in the recipe but it adds a nice punch to the juice.But one can avoid if you want a simple lemonade.
3. You can even add kalanamak and chaat masala to it to make it more interesting.You can play around with the ingredients to suit your taste buds.

Technorati Tags: watermelon lemonade, watermelon ginger lemonade, fresh fruit juice recipes, watermelon juice recipes, cold beverages, easy mocktails recipes, fruit mocktails

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Sweet Lassi Recipe | Punjabi Lassi

Lassi is one of the most popular drink recipe in India and Punjabi Lassi is known for its rich,creamy taste.Lassi could be prepared either sweet or salted and I absolutely love both the versions. Mostly I prepare either Salted Lassi or Chaas but I do prepare Sweet Lassi once in a while to treat ourselves with the luscious thick creamy drink.This sweet lassi is even ideal to drink during Navratri fast to keep you fill for long time. If you are looking for more fasting recipes for Navratri, check out this post for more options. 

 

In Punjab,Sweet Lassi is prepared very thick and is topped with white butter or malai and is served in tall glasses.One glass of lassi is good enough to fill your tummy and can skip a meal easily. In summer season it is a treat definitely but one can prepare it any time round the year. You can prepare various fruit lassis like Mango Lassi and Strawberry Lassi during their respective seasons.

I used to flavour my Lassi with Roohafza during my child hood and love that flavor a lot, if you have not tried that flavour please do try, you will definitely love it. Traditionally Lassi is prepared with hand by using the wooden whisk but it is a bit time consuming process. If you want you can try that or just blend it in the mixer which is the most easiest way.

Punjabi Lassi | Sweet Lassi Recipe:

Serves 2

Prep time:5 mins | Cooking time:nil : Total time:5 mins

Cuisine: Punjabi - Indian | Category: Beverages

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups fresh thick creamy Curd/Yogurt,chilled
1/2 cup Milk,chilled
1/4 cup chilled Water

2-3 tbsp Sugar
1 cardamom,crushed(only the seeds)

2-3 Ice cubes(optional)

1 tbsp Malai/fresh cream,to top(optional)

Method:

• In a juicer/mixer blend curd with milk, water, sugar and cardamom powder until it becomes frothy. Do not blend for long otherwise it will form butter on top. You can do this process in a traditional way of whisking it with the wooden whisk.
• Check the sweetness and add more sugar if needed. Also adjust the consistency by adding more curd/milk to suit your taste buds.

Serve it in a glass topped with cream and ice cubes. I did not add in mine. I just garnished with cardamom powder and few saffron strands.

Notes:

1. You can add kewra water or rose water for a nice and distinct flavour. 
2. I sometimes add 2-3 tbsp of Roohafza while blending and it is my favourite flavour for lassi.
3. To prepare Saffron lassi add few saffron strands to milk and let it sit for some time and then blend along with the remaining ingredients.
4. You can even add few thinly sliced almond pieces for a nice bite in lassi.
5. Seasonal fruits like Mangoes or Strawberries can be added during their season to prepare Mango Lassi and Strawberry Lassi respectively.

 

Technorati Tags: punjabi lassi recipe, sweet lassi recipe, meethi lassi recipe, creamy lassi, summer recipes, thirst quenchers, lassi varieties, kesar lassi, cardamom lassi recipe, summer drinks

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Musk Melon Juice Recipe | Cantaloupe Juice | Easy Juice Recipes

I prefer Milkshakes over fresh fruit juices as I like to eat the fruit in its whole form rather than having it as a juice. If we consume the fruit in its whole form, we don't need to add extra sugar nor do we lose any nutrients. There are many people who prefer having juices though and even DH falls under that category. So sometimes I prepare fresh fruit juices for him and that also gives me an opportunity to click the pics.

Muskmelon used to be a famous local fruit in the place where I spent most of my childhood. It used to be very sweet and we always carried them to our native place as my grand mom used to like this variety very much.While 90% of the fruits used to be consumed directly the rest which could be either softened fruit or less sweetened ones used to get converted in this juice form. There is no specific recipe as such but just wanted to highlight it for those who are looking for the recipe.

I must admit that I am very bad in clicking pics of beverages and I always find them challenging to click as the angles are a bit difficult to capture.I have hence been experimenting quite a bit with clicking juices for two reasons - to improve my photography skills and also that they can make their way to my blog. In this juice, I had tried to give the froth by pouring the juice in different glasses so that it can hold the muskmelon balls.On another note,recently I tried foodpanda.in online portal when I came back home after exhaustive shopping and was completely tired to cook anything.They had various range of restaurants and also categorized according to the area which helped me to choose the restaurant and cuisine easily and I was very happy with their services and I recommend you to try it if you have not done before.

Check out few quick beverages recipes here:

• Bonda Juice/Tender Coconut-Malai Juice
• Mango Juice  
• Mango Lemonade 
• Butterfruit(Avocado) Milkshake
• Oats-Fruits Smoothie
• Neer More/Spiced Buttermilk

Muskmelon Juice | Kharbuja JuiceRecipe:

Serves 2

Prep time: 5 mins | Blending time: 2 mins | Total time: 7-8 mins

Cuisine: Indian | Category: Juices -Beverages

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped ripen Muskmelon

1 tsp Lemon Juice(optional)

1/2 cup chilled Water

2-3 tsp Sugar

Ice cubes, to serve(optional)

Method:

• Cut the musk melon into two halves and remove the seeds and cut the muskmelon into pieces by removing the external hard layer.
• In a blender add chopped muskmelon, chilled water and sugar and blend it to a thick pulpy juice. Taste the juice and add more sugar if needed.
• Add lemon juice and stir it nicely.
• You can strain the juice or serve it as it is.I suggest you to serve as it is to retain the nutrients of fruit.
• Pour it into 2 individual glasses.

Add ice cubes and serve it immediately.

Notes:

1. Adjust the sugar and consistency of juice according to your your wish.
2. I usually do not strain the fresh fruit juices to retain the fiber and nutrients of the fruits. If you want you can strain it in a metal sieve.
3. You can experiment it by combining mixed fruits combinations with various fruits like pomegranate, orange, sweet lime, watermelon etc.
4. If you like you can make it a thick milkshake by adding milk instead of water in the recipe.

Technorati Tags: muskmelon juice, cantaloupe juice, cantaloupe smoothie recipe, easy drinks recipes, fresh fruit juice recipes, summer drinks, summer coolers, how to make fresh fruit juice, kharjuba juice, tharbuja juice recipe

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Mango Banana Smoothie | Easy Smoothie Recipes

I have posted mango recipes non stop from the last 2 weeks and I hope this would be the last recipe for this mango season unless I prepare something new.Hope you liked my mango recipes and did not get bored of them .Check out my complete list of Mango recipes here.
Smoothies are one of the easiest breakfast option but somehow I am not a person who can live on smoothie for breakfast.But it is a different story all together during the mango season.I do not mind having smoothies for breakfast everyday provided the smoothie has mango in it.Mango can be paired with various fruits like Mango-Banana,Mango-Strawberry,Mango-Papaya etc and my most favorite combination is Mango-Banana which works well for a Smoothie.

Smoothies are very versatile,you can add cornflakes or oats to the smoothie while blending and convert a simple smoothie to a wholesome breakfast.Some times I even add dry fruits like cashew nuts or almonds or figs or dates as it adds a nice nutty taste to the smoothie.

Check out few Smoothie recipes in my blog:

• Oats-Fruits Smoothie
• Mango Lassi- Mango Yogurt Smoothie
• Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
• Strawberry Lassi-Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

Mango Banana Smoothie Recipe:

serves 2

Prep time:10 mins | Cook time: nil | Total time: 10 mins

Cuisine: International | Category: Beverages

Ingredients:

1 ripen Mango(Alphonso/Kesar or similar variety)

1 big ripen Banana

2 tbsp Sugar or honey *

1/4 cup cold Milk *

few Ice cubes,to blend and serve

Method:

• Remove the skin and cut the mango and banana into pieces.
• In a mixer/blender add mango and banana pieces,ice cubes,sugar(or honey) and milk and blend into a smooth puree.Check the sweetness and if needed add extra sugar.
• If you want you can add more milk to make it bit thin and also adjust the sugar accordingly.

Serve the chilled mango banana smoothie immediately.You can even top them with ice cubes during serving it. 

Notes:

1. Sugar or honey should be adjusted according to the sweetness of mango and to your desired sweetness.
2. Milk also is to be adjusted according to your desired thickness.
3. You can choose the mango varieties like alphonso,kesar,badam,raspuri which tastes best for this smoothie.
4. You can even add oats or corn flakes while blending the smoothie for a wholesome breakfast.
5. You can also add nuts like cashew nuts or almonds while blending for a rich and nutty smoothie.

Technorati Tags: how to prepare mango banana smoothie,mango smoothie,smoothie recipes,breakfast smoothie recipe,mango recipes,easy breakfast smoothie

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Mango Lemonade Recipe | Easy Mango Drinks

Summer has come to an end and the rainy season has just started in Mumbai.I have prepared this drink on one of those hot summer days last week. During summers, I try increasing the quantity of fluids I take in order to keep myself hydrated and hence I try preparing various kinds of juices. I like having Nimboo Sherbet and so I usually keep a bottle of Lemon squash in my refrigerator.As I get bored drinking the same thing every time, I usually play around with various flavors based on the season.You can use the lemon squash as the base and add any fruit pulp like mango, strawberries, watermelon and churn it with chilled water to get a refreshing drink.I even use various fruit crushes like Kiwi or strawberry crush instead of the fresh fruit pulp.

Check out few other refreshing drinks with mangoes - Mango Milkshake, Mango Lassi , Mango Juice   and if you want to prepare a few more refreshing drinks- check them out here.

Mango Lemonade Recipe:

Serves 4-5

Preparation time: 10 mins | Cooking time: 5 mins | Total time: 15 mins + cooling time

Recipe Cuisine: Indian | Recipe Category: Juices/Beverages

Ingredients:
1 ripen Mango(Alphonso or Kesar)
2 Lemons
1/3 cup Sugar 
1/2 cup Water 
4-5 Cups chilled water
few Ice cubes,to serve
mango pieces and mint leaves,to garnish(optional)

Method:  

• Combine water(1/2 cup) and sugar and let it come to a boil,reduce the flame and cook until the solution becomes thick and syrupy.Switch off the flame and let it come to room temperature.Refrigerate it until its usage,you can refrigerate it for upto a week and use it in various mocktails.
• Extract the juice from the lemons and discard the seeds.
• Cut Mango into pieces(reserve few for garnish) and blend them into a smooth puree.Refrigerate it until its usage.
• Add 2 tbsp of sugar syrup in each glass and add 2 tsp of lemon juice and 2-3 tbsp of mango puree to it and mix well using a spoon.Top it with chilled water (roughly 1 to 1/4 cups per glass) and mix again.You can taste it and add more sugar syrup or lemon as needed.

Add few ice cubes,mango pieces and garnish with mint leaves and serve it immediately.

Notes:

1. I usually store Lemon Sherbet squash in my refrigerator and hence I do not prepare fresh sugar syrup every time,all I need to  do is to mix the blended fruit puree with the lemon squash and water to make respective fruit lemonade.It is easy and refreshing.
2. I highly recommend to use sugar syrup rather than mixing the plain sugar in the mocktails,it adds nice taste to mocktails.
3. I even use plain soda water instead of plain water for a fizzy touch.If you are using lemon flavor drinks you need to reduce the quantity of lemon and sugar syrup in the recipe.
4. You can use any ripen mango variety for this recipe.Adjust the sweetness according to the taste of it.

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Mango Juice | Easy Summer Drinks Recipes

I had plans to post Mango recipes this year, but I could not do so because of my laziness.Somehow I managed to prepare a few mango recipes last week and I would post them in the coming weeks.So stay tuned for various Mango Special recipes in my blog and prepare them before the mangoes fade away from the markets.
Mango Juice is an easy recipe which I thoroughly enjoy during the mango season.Given a chance if I am asked to prepare a beverage with mango,I would prepare either Mango Milkshake or Mango Lassi as both of them are my absolute favorites.I usually stock the mango fruit pulp in my freezer all the time and if you have the mango pulp at hand you can prepare this juice in no time. 

Check out few ripen Mango recipes in my blog.For complete list of Mango recipes click here.

• Mango Fudge | Mango Burfi
• Mango Milkshake
• Mango Pound Cake
• Mango Ice-cream
• Mango Kulfi
• Mango-Tadgola(Thatinungu) Kheer 
• Shrikarini/Seekarane..a simple mango delight

Mango Juice Recipe:

(serves 2)

Ingredients:

1 ripen Alphonso Mango(any variety would do)

2-3 tbsp Sugar

1/4 tsp Cardamom powder(optional)

Ice cubes,to serve

Method:

• Wash and peel the skin of mangoes and cut into pieces.
• In a blender add chopped mangoes,sugar and cardamom powder and blend to a fine puree.
• Add chilled water(approx 1 cup) and blend again to a smooth consistency.Now check the sweetness and add more sugar or water if needed.You can make it thin or thick according to your preference,I prefer to make it slightly thick.

Serve it in a glass with ice cubes on top.

Notes:

• I like the flavor of cardamom in the drink,you can skip it if you want.
• Always add chilled water so that you can serve the drink immediately or you can refrigerate the jucie for few hours before serving.
• Use sweetened mango varieties like alphonso,kesar,badam etc and fibrous variety is not suitable for juice.If you use fibrous variety strain the juice before serving.
• I usually dip the mangoes in water for few hours.It is believed that this process reduces the heat impact of mangoes on our body.
• You can add juice of 1 small lemon and few mint leaves while blending to make mango lemonade.This would be a refreshing change to your usual drink.
• The amount of sugar depends on the sweetness of mangoes,hence add it accordingly by tasting the juice in between while blending it.

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Chikoo Milkshake | Sapota Milkshake

Chikoo milkshake and Mango Milkshake are my most favorite among all varieties of milkshakes and would love to have it  anytime especially during summers.I prefer to make milkshake with chikoo rather than eating the whole fruit.Now off to this simple and refreshing milkshake recipe.

Check out various milkshake/smoothie recipes which I have blogged earlier.

• Banana Milkshake
• Butterfruit(Avocado) Milkshake
• Mango Milkshake
• Strawberry Milkshake   
• Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
• Oats-Fruits Smoothie

Chikoo Milkshake Recipe:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
2 big ripen Chikoo/Sapota

3-4 tbsp Sugar
2 cups cold Milk 

2 scoops of Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Method:

• Remove the skin and cut the chikoo into pieces.
• In a mixer/blender add chikoo pieces, sugar and 1/2 cup of milk and blend into a smooth puree.Check the sweetness and if needed add extra sugar.
• Add remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and vanilla ice cream and run again to the desired consistency.Add more milk if you need a thin milkshake and also adjust the sugar accordingly.

Serve the chilled Chikoo milk shake immediately.

 

Notes:

1. Add more sugar if required while blending the mixture.
2. You can substitute chikoo with mango or banana or apple. 
3. Milk also is to be adjusted according to your desired thickness.
4. Addition of ice cream is entirely optional,it adds a nice creamy touch to milkshake.

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Banana Milkshake | Easy Milkshake Recipes

Summers have already begun in Mumbai and its scorching hot in the afternoon.I usually prefer to stay indoors in Summers and also love to go for my walks in the evening rather than mornings.

We usually prefer to eat whole fruits rather than having them in the form of juice to retain the fiber of the fruit.But in summers, as we tend to drink something cold I usually make milkshakes or juices from various fruits. Though my ideal choice of fruit for milkshake would be either 'Mango' or 'Chikoo', I do like other fruit milkshakes and of course all the new concoctions with nutella, jam, peanut butter etc.

 Check out various milkshake/smoothie recipes which I have blogged earlier.

• Butterfruit(Avocado) Milkshake
• Mango Milkshake
• Strawberry Milkshake   
• Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
• Oats-Fruits Smoothie

Banana is a very versatile fruit and is available in all seasons and my favorite variety among bananas is 'Yelakki Banana'. I like to use bananas in custard, milkshakes, fruit salad or eat just as it is.

Check out another interesting preparation with Banana - Balehannu Rasayana which is ideal to use ripen bananas sitting in your kitchen counter.

Banana Milkshake Recipe:
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
1 big ripen Banana(any variety should do)
3-4 tbsp Sugar
2 cups cold Milk 

2 scoops of Vanilla ice cream (optional)
few drops of Vanilla essence (optional)

Method:

• Remove the skin and cut the banana into pieces.
• In a mixer/blender add banana pieces, sugar, vanilla essence and 1/2 cup of milk and blend into a smooth puree.Check the sweetness and if needed add extra sugar.
• Add remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and vanilla ice cream and run again to the desired consistency.Add more milk if you need a thin milkshake and also adjust the sugar accordingly.

Serve the chilled Banana milk shake immediately.

Notes:

1. Sugar should be adjusted according to the sweetness of banana and also to your desired sweetness.Sugar can be replaced with honey too.
2. Banana milkshake changes its color quickly and hence in order to avoid that you can add few drops of lemon juice to milkshake to avoid discoloration.You should not add more just 2-3 drops should be fine.If you are serving it immediately you do not need to add it.
3. Milk also is to be adjusted according to your desired thickness.
4. Addition of ice cream is entirely optional,it adds a nice creamy touch to milkshake.
5. Vanilla essence enhances the flavor of banana milkshake,it is optional if you do not like any other flavor in the milkshake.
6. Banana pairs up with many fruits,you can even use mix of fruits like Avocado-Banana, Strawberry-Banana, Apple-Banana etc to prepare milkshake.
7. You can even add a tbsp of nutella to make it nutella banana milkshake or even a tbsp of grated dark chocolate to make Choco banana milkshake.The options are endless.

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Neer Mor | Spiced Buttermilk | Chaas | Majjiga Recipe

Summer is at its peak and the best way to beat the heat is to rehydrate ourselves with fresh juices,milkshakes,smoothies, mocktails, lassi, buttermilk and tender coconut.On a daily basis I prefer having buttermilk, lassi, tender coconut or fresh juice in the summers while I reserve mocktails,milkshakes and smoothies for guests.It is more of a ritual for me to prepare a big pot of buttermilk in the mornings, all through the summer making it easy for me to grab a glass when ever I want.I am sure that preparing buttermilk is not a big task in any Indian household but still I thought I will record this in my blog in case anyone is not familiar with it.

The most common drinks prepared with curd are Lassi and Chaas(spiced buttermilk).Lassi is a lot creamier and sweeter version where as Chaas is very thin and salted and spicy version and we prefer Chaas over lassi any day.Now talking about the flavors one can be creative to make this simple and humble buttermilk with interesting flavors like mint,coriander,cumin powder,hing,cucumber to make it more refreshing.I have few pointers mentioned under notes for variations and I promise to post another interesting and unique version of butter milk soon.Till then I will leave you with this simple and refreshing drink.
Neer Mor | Spiced Buttermilk Recipe:

(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup fresh thick Curds
2-2 1/2 cups water
1 tbsp finely chopped Coriander leaves
few Lemon drops(1/4 tsp),optional
Salt to taste

to grind:
1/2" Ginger,chopped
1/2 Green chilli,chopped
3/4 tsp Cumin seeds,slightly roasted

to temper:
1/3 tsp Oil
1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
a pinch of Cumin seeds
3-4 Curry leaves,finely chopped or 5-6 small tender leaves
a fat pinch of Hing
Method:

• Crush the ginger pieces with green chili and cumin seeds in a mortar pestle to a coarse paste.
• Churn the curds using the traditional whisk(called as 'kavvam' in telugu) or if you are a lazy person like me you can grind curds with ginger,green chilli and cumin seeds in a mixer.This is faster process and easy to prepare on daily basis.
• Dilute with water to get the desired consistency.Add enough salt and few lemon drops to it and mix well.
• Meanwhile heat oil and crackle mustard seeds,cumin seeds and add curry leaves and hing and fry for 10-20 secs and switch off the flame.
• Pour this tadka to the butter milk mixture and also add coriander leaves and mix well.
• Keep it refrigerated for 1-2hrs for the flavors to blend better.

Serve it cold.

Serving suggestions:

1. Serve it in small earthern pots which adds nice taste to the buttermilk.
2. If you don't like to have tid bits of tempering,you can strain the mixture and serve it.
3. You can add finely chopped cucumber pieces or grated cucumber to the butter milk before serving.

Variations:
Minty flavored Buttermilk:

• You can grind 2 tbsp chopped mint leaves with 1/2" ginger to a coarse paste and add to the churned buttermilk for a refreshing mint flavor and follow the same tempering process.Skip the garnish with coriander leaves.

Cucumber flavored Buttermilk:

• Grind 1/2 cup grated cucumber with 1 tsp roasted cumin seeds and 2-3 tbsp chopped coriander
• to a fine paste and add to the churned buttermilk for a refreshing cucumber flavored buttermilk and follow the same tempering process.

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