Soothing Potions

Refreshing drinks for wellness in scorching summer.

- Kavita Nagpal

PANAGAM (SWEET GINGER DRINK)

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup galangal

2 tsp palm sugar/jaggery

1 inch cube ginger

4 cardamom pods, crushed

2 cups water

METHOD

Peel and chop ginger, blend all ingredients, strain, and serve cold.

INJI NEER MORU (GINGER BUTTERMILK DRINK)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup yogurt

3 cups water

Small piece of ginger

A few curry leaves

A pinch of asafoetida

Rock salt to taste

METHOD

Wash, peel, and finely chop the ginger. Blend all ingredients, transfer to a jug, cool, and serve.

NEER MORU (ASAFOETIDA BUTTERMILK)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup yogurt

1/8 tsp asafoetida

1 sprig curry leaves

1/4 tsp mustard seeds

½ tsp sesame oil

Rock salt to taste

METHOD

Blend yogurt, salt, and water to form a thin buttermilk drink. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them pop. Then add asafoetida and curry leaves, and mix into the buttermilk. Optionally, garnish with chopped green chilies for extra spice.

ELAKAI KASHAYAM (CARDAMOM DRINK)

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups water

4 cardamom pods, crushed

1-inch cube ginger, grated

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp palm sugar

METHOD