12 Traditional Indian Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat

12. Falooda (Cold Dessert Drink)

Falooda is a textural, dessert-like cooler that combines rose syrup, milk, thin vermicelli, and soaked basil seeds, often finished with a scoop of kulfi or ice cream. Start by soaking basil seeds until they swell, cook or soak thin vermicelli until soft, and layer in a tall glass with chilled milk sweetened with rose syrup. Add crushed ice and top with kulfi or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish. For an easier home version, use store-bought rose syrup, quick-cook vermicelli, and frozen kulfi if available. Though richer than most summer drinks, falooda cools the body through chilled milk and hydrating ingredients while offering satisfying textures that make it feel special. It’s an excellent weekend treat or a celebratory finish to a spicy meal. For a lighter take, reduce sugar and skip the ice cream, letting the rose-scented milk and basil seeds carry the flavor while still providing a cooling sensation.