Pitta Cooling Summer Beverages

Hibiscus Tea:
The first time, I had hibiscus tea was years ago in Egypt as a child. My family was there for the month of July and that is when I fell in love with it probably because it really hit the spot when I was dying of heat! Hibiscus tea is served both hot and cold all over the world; in the Caribbean,  South America, Central America, Mexico where they call it jamaica and the Arab world where they call it karkade. It can be either hot or cold brewed.I prefer it cold-brewed because it is less bitter and there are less tannins.

Ayurvedic Properties:

Taste: Astringent, Bitter
Guna: Light, Dry
Virya: Cold
Vipaka: Pungent
Dosha: Pacifies Pitta and Kapha and intensifies Vata
Karma: Pittahara, Kaphavatashamaka, Arshavinashi, Keshya, Garbharodhi, Sangrahi, Vishahara, Hridya

Recipes:

Hot Brewed:
Ingredients

• 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers rinsed

• 8 cups water
• 3/4 cup turbinado sugar ( you can substitute agave or any other sweetner of your choice. Do not use honey, however, as honey when heated may release toxins)
  

Instructions

1. In a large pot on high heat, bring hibiscus flowers, 4 cups of water, and sugar to a boil.
2. Cover and simmer over low  for 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and cool  to room temperature.
4. Using a collander or strainer,strain out the hibiscus flowers.
5. Add the remaining four cups of water.
6. Stir and chill.

Cold Brewed:
Ingredients:
1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers (rinsed)
8 cups of  cold water
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup of sweetener of your choice

Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a pitcher. Stir and place in the refrigerator overnight ( 8 hrs).
Strain out the hibiscus flowers, add a little lime juice (optional) and serve.

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Watermelon Shake

Eating watermelon helps to  remain well hydrated during summer.  Not only is it thrist quenching and cooling but has great medicinal andnutritional value as well with its  anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancerous properties. It is good for preventing macular degeneration and treating hypertension, erectile dysfunction and skin problems. According to Ayurveda, water melon is guru (heavy to digest), shita (cool), pitta pacifying and kapha increasing.

Ingredients:

6 cups watermelon (tarbuj), cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds (jeera) powder
2  teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons low fat milk

Instructions:

1. Remove the seeds from the watermelon and blend in a blender to create a smooth purée.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. Pour the mixture into a container and freeze until it is firm (approx. 2 hours).
4. Blend the mixture in a blender until it is slushy.
5. Pour into glasses and serve chilled.

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Rose Yogurt Drink
Ingredients:

• 2 cups Fresh Yogurt
• 3 tbsp rose jam
  
• 1/2 cup Water
• Sugar as needed
• 1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
• Ice Cubes
• Almonds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Take the yogurt, rose jam, sugar and cardamom powder in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add water and ice cubes and blend again until well combined and frothy.
4. Pour the lassi into glasses and garnish with chopped almonds.
5. Serve chilled. 

 

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