12 Traditional Indian Summer Drinks to Beat the Heat

3. Aam Panna (Raw Mango Cooler)

Aam Panna is a raw mango beverage prized for its cooling and heat-stroke preventing reputation. The drink starts with unripe green mangoes boiled until soft, then blended with jaggery or sugar, roasted cumin, and black salt for balance. If fresh raw mangoes aren’t available, bottled raw mango concentrate can be diluted with water and adjusted for sweetness. A typical homemade method is simmering chopped raw mango in water until tender, mashing out the pulp, and stirring in sweetener and spices before chilling thoroughly. Research and traditional wisdom both point to aam panna’s vitamin C content and its role in helping the body manage heat. It’s thicker than lemonade but still light enough for frequent sipping. Serve in a tall glass over ice with a pinch of roasted cumin and mint leaves. For North American cooks who want a shortcut, blended tart green apple with a splash of lemon and a touch of jaggery can mimic the tang if raw mango isn’t an option.