12 Traditional Indian Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat

11. Sugarcane Juice

Sugarcane juice is a street-stall favourite across India—pressed fresh and served with lemon, ginger, or mint. The raw juice is rich in simple sugars and antioxidants that provide quick energy and a lively flavour profile. If you have a heavy-duty juicer at home, press cut sugarcane with a little added ginger for warmth and lemon for brightness. For safety, buy freshly pressed juice from reputable vendors or make it at home since fresh sugarcane juice can spoil quickly if left at room temperature. This drink is best consumed immediately after pressing; the sugar content makes it a fast energy source rather than a long-term hydrator. Many vendors add a pinch of black salt or roasted cumin to balance sweetness and help with digestion. In North America, pre-cut cane and professional juicers are less common, so look for juice sold at trusted ethnic markets or try a ginger-lemon sugarcane blend available from specialty producers for a seasonal treat.